Ever woken up from a dream so intense you check your bed for jungle creatures? One guy did. He was three days deep in the Amazon jungle, settling into a makeshift hut when he heard rustling nearby. Shining his flashlight, he locked eyes with two glowing green orbs. Then—bam!—the beast lunged! Just as jaws met fate, he jolted awake, soaked in sweat, heart pounding, eyes wide like a cartoon character. Just a dream, right? But what wasn’t a dream was the body’s full-blown fight or flight response in action—jungle panther or not.

So What Is Fight or Flight, Really?

Most people have heard of the term fight or flight, but fewer understand what’s happening inside the body. It’s often explained as the emergency response your body launches when being chased by a wild animal. But let’s be real—unless you’re living in a National Geographic special, you’re not running from panthers very often.

The more relatable trigger? Chronic stress. And while emotional stress is part of that, physical stress—especially the kind caused by an upper neck misalignment—is a major player.

The Brainstem: Command Central

At the heart of this conversation is your brainstem, the master control center of your body. It regulates:

• Heart rate

• Breathing

• Digestion

• Body balance

• Proprioception (your body’s sense of where it is in space)

• And a lot more behind-the-scenes magic

Crucially, the brainstem also houses much of the parasympathetic nervous system—aka the rest and digest mode.

Parasympathetic vs. Sympathetic: The Balance Battle

We’re supposed to spend the majority of our lives in parasympathetic dominance. That means your body is calm, resting, digesting, healing, and functioning optimally.

But when the sympathetic nervous system—aka the fight or flight system—is triggered constantly, it throws that balance off. Instead of peaceful digestion and deep sleep, your body is stuck in emergency mode.

This long-term imbalance can lead to a host of health issues, including:

• Chronic fatigue

• Depression and anxiety

• Digestive problems

• Headaches and migraines

• Dizziness and vertigo

• Lightheadedness

• High blood pressure

• Metabolic disorders (diabetes, obesity)

• Poor immune function

• Breathing problems like asthma

Sound familiar?

The Upper Cervical Connection

As a brainstem specialist, I see this pattern in my practice all the time. When the upper neck is misaligned, it can place pressure on the brainstem. This pressure dampens the parasympathetic response and amps up the sympathetic one—locking the body in a constant state of fight-or-flight.

But here’s the cool part: when we correct that misalignment, things start changing—fast.

I often say we’re “turning the lights back on” after an adjustment. One of the first things I look for? The patient’s face turning pink or red. That’s increased blood flow, a key sign the parasympathetic system is re-engaging. In fact, research has shown there’s twice the blood flow to and from the brain when the brainstem is properly aligned.

Let me give you a real example. One of my patients—an older gentleman with several health complications—came in a couple weeks ago with a gray-blue tint to his face and slow, slurred speech. He was clearly out of alignment. I adjusted him, and today he returned with a healthy red face and a crystal-clear voice. Before I even checked his neck, I knew—he was in alignment, and his nervous system was back in balance.

Why This Matters

When your brainstem is aligned:

• You sleep better

• Think clearer

• Move with better balance

• Experience less pain

• And function the way your body is designed to

This isn’t just about relieving symptoms—it’s about restoring function.

Curious About Upper Cervical Care?

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms above or just want your body working the way it was meant to, message us. We’d love to help you understand how this gentle, precise care, using the Blair Upper Cervical technique in Riverton, UT, can transform your health—without needing a jungle dream to scare you into action.

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