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Man and Machine

Man as a Machine

The machine metaphor is very useful when we are considering aspects of human health and disease. For example, human machines need tuneups just as much and just as regularly as do mechanical machines.

Human machines that are "out of tune" break down. The nature of the breakdown may be minor or major, but it's never a good thing. Most of the time our health is transparent to us - we don't consciously experience our various body parts doing their job. Pain, however, is a notably conscious experience and one which is almost always unwelcome and unpleasant.

Regular chiropractic care is a convenient, efficient, and highly effective method of maintaining your personal human machine at peak levels of performance and structural integrity. Chiropractic care corrects the spinal misalignments that are common denominators in many, if not most, physical ailments and disorders. Chiropractic care directly addresses mechanical problems and helps ensure optimal functioning - optimal levels of health and well-being.

Is a computer like a human brain or is a human brain like a computer? When machines allow us to extend our abilities, are we enhancing our humanness or becoming more machine-like? What are the meaningful distinctions between humans and machines and how do these impact our daily pursuits of health, well-being, and happiness?

One primary practical distinction is that humans initiate spontaneous, unique, non-predetermined actions and machines do not. Advanced machines such as military early warning systems may initiate spontaneous activities, but all of these are predetermined and predefined to a greater or lesser degree. And for any machine responses that are not previously designated and programmed as routine, human interaction is required for initiation of the suggested action.

Generally, even the "smartest" machine only has access to a built-in suite of responses. Noted exceptions include computer programs based on simple rules which emulate living systems. The "cellular automata" generated by these programs demonstrate spontaneous emergent behaviors not predictable from the simple rules themselves. The "artificial life" thus observed is exceedingly complex and can even provide optimal solutions to deep scientific problems posed to the system by investigators.

Cellular automata are examples of complex systems, defined as systems which are critically sensitive to small changes in initial conditions. Complex systems achieved fame in Michael Crichton's novel (and the subsequent Stephen Spielberg film), "Jurassic Park". In the book, the paleobotanist Dr. Ian Malcolm uses the weather as an example of the nature of complex systems. In a scene which has achieved iconic status, Malcolm relates how a butterfly flapping its wings in the Amazon rain forest can cause a tornado in the American Midwest. Small changes in a complex system's initial state can lead to substantial unpredictable results in the system as a whole.

The human nervous system is such a complex, dynamic system.^1,2,3 Small changes in the nervous system's initial state can result in dramatic outcomes. For example, a spinal misalignment (resulting from an innocuous low back muscle strain) can irritate a spinal nerve (a small change in initial conditions) which can lead to chronic indigestion, allergies, migraine headaches, or even high blood pressure down the road.

Most machines are not complex in this way, but they do require regular maintenance and care. As human beings, we are complex systems by our very nature and the importance of regular maintenance and care is that much greater. A healthy spine and optimally functioning nerve system go very far toward ensuring the health of our body-as-machine and our associated happiness and well-being.

¹Bourjaily MA, Miller P: Synaptic plasticity and connectivity requirements to produce stimulus-pair specific responses in recurrent networks of spiking neurons. PLoS Comput Biol 7(2):e1001091, 2011 [Epub February 24, 2011]

²Rigotti M, et al: Internal representation of task rules by recurrent dynamics: the importance of the diversity of neural responses. Front Comput Neurosci 4:24, 2010

³Power JD, et al: The development of human functional brain networks. Neuron 67(5):735-748, 2010

Dr. David A. Day will be teaching a free class on Tuesday, February 21st entitled "The 33 Principles of Chiropractic" from 6 - 6:45 pm. You will not want to miss this informative class as Dr explores how and why Chiropractic works. Come and bring a friend with you! We will be serving a light dinner, so call our office at 503/760-7572 to register.

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Workshop / Radio

Next Free Workshop:

Tuesday, February 21, from 6 - 6:45 pm at Day Chirorpactic, "The 33 Principles of Chiropractic". We will explore the core principles that guide the practice of Chiropractic. A light dinner will be served, so call 503/760-7572 to reserve a spot for you and a guest.

Next Radio Show:

Dr. Day's next radio program will be on Wednesday, February 8th, from 2 - 3 pm on 93.9 FM. He will be sharing the latest information about health and how chiropractic could impact your life.

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Abnormal Surface EMG:

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This will allow us to analyze your neural matrix efficiency. We want to bring broadband back to your intelligence system in your body!

Our Office Location:

Day Chiropractic

3758 SE 122nd Avenue

Portland, OR 97236

503-760-7572

(just S. of Powell on 122nd)

Special Offer:

New Client special - Fundraiser for Oklahaven Children's Chiropractic Center - for just $ 25 you will receive a full workup that includes any necessary x-rays and your first adjustment! Call 503/760-7572 to take advantage of this opportunity as we celebrate the contriubution that Chiropractic is making to the lives of those we love. If you prefer, email us using this link:

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