The Link Between Spinal Mechanics and the Nervous System: Dr. Leonard Faye’s Paradigm

 

For decades, the chiropractic profession focused heavily on the "bone out of place" theory. Dr. Leonard Faye was instrumental in shifting this narrative toward "functional motion". Faye proposed that the primary issue isn't just a static misalignment, but a fixation—a loss of segmental movement that creates a cascade of neurological dysfunction.

One of the most critical aspects of Faye’s work involves the relationship between mechanical joint stress and the dorsal root ganglion (DRG). 

 

Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG): A Neurological Crossroads

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Dorsal Root Ganglion is a cluster of nerve cell bodies located just outside the spinal cord. It acts as a primary sensory processor. Under normal conditions, it transmits signals like touch and temperature without much fuss. However, Faye highlighted that the DRG is uniquely sensitive to its physical environment. 

 

When a spinal joint becomes fixated (hypomobile), the surrounding tissues undergo inflammatory changes. This creates a "leaky" environment where metabolic waste and pro-inflammatory cytokines accumulate. The DRG lacks a robust blood-nerve barrier and is therefore highly susceptible to this chemical irritation.

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​​​​Mechanical Stress and Sympathetic Sensitivity

 

Faye’s model suggests that chronic mechanical stress leads to retrograde axoplasmic transport disruption and increased mechanosensitivity. Essentially, the DRG becomes highly sensitive or "twitchy."  Once sensitized, the DRG begins to exhibit cross-excitation. This means that stress signals from the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)—the "fight or flight" mechanism—can actually trigger pain responses in the DRG. In a vicious cycle, emotional or systemic stress manifests as physical pain because the spinal gateway is already primed for irritation.

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Even after surgery to clean up a disc herniation or bone spur, the DRG still maintains its hyper-sensitivity which is why it is easily triggered with emotional stress.  Since the orginal cause wasn't from the herniated disc or bone spur, it was from a lack of mobility in the spinal joint(s).  The disc degeneration and/or bone spur is a symptom of the dysfunction that takes years to develop likely triggered from an acute injury (ie. whiplash or sports injury) or cummulative such as prolonged static or sedentary posture (ie. sitting in front of a computer for hours a day).  In response to this loss of mobility, the body sends a low level biofeedback signal such as mild pain, tension or headaches. When the signal doesn't create the required response, the sympathetic nervous system takes it to the next level by extending its neural network called 'sympathetic sprouting' or cross-excitation via the DRG - essestially magnifiying the alarm.  Surgery focuses on the disc or bone spur - the symptom, but it fails to address the original root cause, which was a loss of mobility of the affected spinal joints.  The DRG sensitivity continues even after surgery, and this is why the pain pattern continues to be triggered with emotional stress. 

 

From a holistic perspective, loss of mobility in the spine creates stagnant pranic energy that gets 'stuck' in the joints of the spine. Movement of the spine is essential for the movement of prana or life-force energy.  This is the basis of Yogic sciences. When prana is stuck, it creates tamasic or destructive forces - what we refer to as degenerative changes.  Surgery is an attempt to rid the body of the degenerative changes without addressing the root cause - immobility - and in many cases worsens the situation by creating further rigidity in the spine.  According to Ayurveda/Vedanta philosophy, the solution out of tamas is rajas (physical movement) otherwise it falls into a deeper and more viscious tamasic cycle where one's emotions triggers physical pain which triggers further emotional stress.

 

Correcting the Cycle: A Three-Pillar Approach

To minimize the sympathetic impact on the DRG, we must restore motion and build a resilient "container" for the nervous system.

 

1. Spinal Joint Mobilization

The first step in Faye’s protocol is restoring segmental motion. High-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) adjustments or gentle mobilizations break the cycle of fixation.

• The Result: Improved motion flushes out inflammatory markers and resets the mechanoreceptors in the joint capsule, lowering the "background noise" reaching the DRG. The ligaments of the spinal joints slowly return back to their normal length (Davis' Law)

 

2. Yoga and Breathwork Re-education

Yoga serves as a functional bridge. Poses that emphasize spinal axial extension (like Tadasana) and gentle rotation (like Bharadvajasana) help maintain the space within the intervertebral foramina where the DRG resides.

• The Benefit: The breathwork (Pranayama) inherent in yoga directly downregulates the sympathetic nervous system, calming the very signals that irritate a sensitized DRG.

 

3. Spinal Strengthening Exercises

Stability is the protector of mobility. Without strength, the joints eventually lapse back into protective guarding (fixation).

• Core Integration: Exercises like the Bird-Dog or Dead Bug stabilize the neutral spine.
   

• Posterior Chain: Strengthening the multifidus and erector spinae through movements like supermans or kettlebell hinges ensures that the spine can handle mechanical loads without shifting the burden onto the delicate neural structures.