THROUGHOUT my career, I have witnessed and heard many things. A lot of them were totally unexpected. As a doctor of chiropractic I am accustomed to patrons returning after the first, second or third visit reporting that they are feeling much better and having less pain. I also have come to expect related things like improved eyesight, balance, function, breathing, digestion, athletic performance, and many other things.

However, early on in my career I began to receive other reports that, at first, were quite shocking – reports of improved sexual function. It started inconspicuously enough when curious and thankful spouses began attending sessions with partners who had begun chiropractic care. They each would look at me with perplexed faces and then finally smile and begin a conversation with me that went something like, “doc, I don’t know what you did to my wife/husband, but please keep doing it”!

It seems that adjusting the spine, pelvis, sacrum, pubic symphysis, hips, etc, achieves more results in some people than just symptom relief – uhhuumm. I have also had women tell me on many occasions that menstrual cycles were less uncomfortable, pelvic motion was better, and painful coitus was diminished.

And, why not? As I have repeatedly stated, chiropractic restores and enhances the entire nervous system, and all of its functions, including sexual function and performance. Trust the technique!

Let’s break it down into simple terms and logical explanations, shall we?

When discussing sexual function I think it’s appropriate to start with the pelvic region, since this is where our sexual organs lie. And, if you know anything about the chakra system, then you’ll recognise that the second chakra – or reproductive chakra – lies in the sacral region as well.

The pelvis as a bony structure is made up of three bones, the ilium, ischium and pubis. The pelvis attaches to the sacrum through the sacroiliac joints (SI joints). The SI joints allow the forward and backward rotation that occurs as you lift your legs to walk, bend forward, swim, dance, or yes – have sex. Joints can get stuck, chiropractors call that a subluxation, causing lack of movement, inflammation, muscle spasms, biomechanical dysfunction, and pain.

Sacroiliac subluxation is one of the most common causes of low back pain. Obviously, a subluxated SI joint will have some consequence on your ability to perform sexually. If it is chronic, then you probably aren’t doing too much forward and backward rotation in bed or anywhere else for that matter.

The sacrum is another structure in the pelvic region that can affect you physically, functionally and sexually. The sacrum sits at the base of the spine and is wedged between the pelvic bones. It has an intricate network of nerves that come off spinal cord and pass through the sacral openings, called the sacral plexus, which innervates (controls and maintains) many muscles of the buttocks and legs, as well as the bladder and sexual organs. Sexual stimulation, the sensations of sex, are processed by the nerves of the sacral plexus.

Problems of the sacrum, then, can cause all kinds of maladies from sciatica to incontinence to sexual dysfunction. In chiropractic we know that a sacral subluxation can be very painful. When acute it can make any movement of the lower body excruciating: sitting, standing, walking, and everything else.

We all know that when our partner says he or she has a “headache” it’s another way of saying, “not tonight”. But when it’s back pain they claim, they are probably not faking it. Low back pain can cause even the most passionate Casanovas to take a rain check. When the soaked checks keep pouring in, though, night after night, week after week, then you know it must be serious. Whether from a herniated disk or chronically subluxated lumbar joints, people with severely acute or agonisingly chronic low back pain simply aren’t thinking about sex, much less doing it. If you’ve never had low back pain before, then consider yourself fortunate. If you have, then you know that it won’t be happening tonight, dear.

Look for part two of this topic next week.

Don’t forget to “Ask Your Chiropractor” every week where your questions may be published and answered in subsequent articles. Address questions to: Dr Chris Davis, the Spinal Mechanic at movethebone@gmail.com; or, Dr Michael Harvey, director, at dr.michael_harvey@yahoo.com or visit www.drharveychiropractic.com