This afternoon a friend and I went down to the Science Center to see the Body Worlds exhibit.  If you haven't been before, you have until October to see one of the most amazing exhibits!

I had the chance to see the larger version when I was living in Minneapolis for chiropractic school.  I was in my first year of school and remember being completely wrapped up in the specific anatomy I was looking at.  What this muscle was; what that nerve was; where is the origin of this muscle; what area does this blood vessel supply?  It was a big anatomy quiz for me to help me feel validated that my studying for boards was paying off.  But, today, I had a complete "Aha!" moment while Shanna and I were looking at each display. 

What is the basic principle that chiropractic is built on?  No.  It's not that we adjust the spine and your low back pain goes away.  Chiropractic is built on the philosophy that adjusting the spine will help the body function  better by making sure the nerves that exit the spine and feed every part of our body are healthy and happy.  The basis of this philosophy could not be more clear as I was looking at these intricate dissections.  It is plain as day to see how easily the spinal cord and exiting nerves can be influenced by the spine.  To see how the sensitive nerves exiting the upper cervical spine feed directly to the face and head; of course having the spine adjusted and in proper alignment can reduce and eliminate headaches!  Or to watch the nerves exit the lumbar spine, form the sciatic nerve, and end it's journey in the foot that easily displays why a lumbar spine adjustment can alter the pain you're experiencing in your foot.  Or how about the nerves exiting the thoracic spine that feed into the diaphragm and gastrointestinal tract?  No wonder some patients find relief from asthma or heartburn when they are adjusted!  It's not that I didn't know all of this before, but seeing it today cemented my philosophy on why I do what I do. 

I encourage all of you to go see Body Worlds to appreciate the beauty of the human body in it's stripped down, raw form.  It's a mix of art and science in one exhibit.  You don't need to have any medical background to appreciate how amazing we all are to develop, grow, and function how we do.