Our nervous system controls so much in our body. And a dysregulated nervous system refers to a malfunction or imbalance within the nervous system. A dysregulated nervous system can lead to muscle tension, trouble sleeping, digestive issues, depression, anxiety, chronic stress and so much more. The thing about the nervous system that fascinates me in the context of scoliosis is that the peripheral nervous system is along the spine and branches out to the many parts of the body. The question I can’t help but ask is: how does a curving spine impact a person’s nervous system?
“The autonomic nervous system through its hypothalamic neuroendocrine control of puberty, skeletal growth and menarche contributes importantly to the pathogenesis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Melatonin dysfunction detected in AIS subjects also involves the autonomic nervous system.”
Source
In this post we will discuss the potential role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the leptin-sympathetic nervous system and the impact it has on adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, as well as the potential association between serotonin and idiopathic scoliosis
The Autonomic Nervous System and Scoliosis
- The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is responsible for regulating the body’s involuntary functions, such as heart rate, breathing, and digestion. Dysfunction of the ANS has been suggested as a possible factor in the development of scoliosis. In this theory, the dysregulation of the ANS may contribute to the development of scoliosis by affecting bone growth, vertebral column structure, and spinal cord function (source).
The Leptin-Sympathetic Nervous System and Scoliosis
- Leptin is a hormone that plays a role in regulating energy balance and appetite. Research has found lower levels of leptin in girls with AIS (source).
- The leptin-sympathetic nervous system concept proposes that imbalances in leptin levels may lead to asymmetrical growth and development of the spine, contributing to the development of scoliosis (source).
The implication of this is scoliosis patients may not have the appetite that is required for them to intuitively know how much food their body needs to feel adequately nourished because their body is telling them they aren’t hungry.
As a once slender child, I remember feeling betrayed by my parents when I finally took the time to read the label of the chocolate milkshakes they had me drinking. “Supports healthy weight gain” was printed on the little bottle of Ensure they had me drink daily. I didn’t understand why I needed to “put on weight”. And now, after many years of research, I understand that my body was struggling with insufficient absorption of nutrients to support the growth processes for my age.
Serotonin and Scoliosis
“Altered serotonin levels have been observed in patients with idiopathic scoliosis, with lower serum serotonin levels reported compared to healthy controls.”
Source
Serotonin, also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a neurotransmitter and hormone that plays a crucial role in the nervous system. It is involved in various functions in the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (source). Serotonin is involved in bone metabolism and bone health (source).
- Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in regulating mood, appetite, and sleep. Recent research has suggested a potential association between serotonin and idiopathic scoliosis (source).
- The serotonin hypothesis proposes that abnormalities in serotonin levels may contribute to the development of scoliosis by affecting the regulation of bone growth and spinal development (source)
Considerations for scoliosis patients with a dysregulated nervous system
A dysregulated nervous system can result in a highly sensitive person, who may experience increased sensitivity to stimuli, emotional and cognitive disturbances, and difficulty managing stress (source).
As a highly sensitive person myself, I have picked up some strategies and mechanisms to help me cope.
These include:
- Ending a shower with cold water (this helps regulate the nervous system)
- Using noise canceling headphones to silence the world around me
- Playing gray noise on a sound machine while I work (it’s like white noise, but better; It silences mental chatter)
- “Stress Relieving and Magical” Tulsi Rose tea
- Recess Lime “Margarita” adaptogenic mocktails (Recess affiliate link)
- ASMR YouTube videos to help me relax and fall asleep
Want to learn more about what it means to be a highly sensitive person? Check out this book, The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You and take the Highly Sensitive Person Quiz to see if you or your loved one might be a highly sensitive person.
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