When it comes to cancer prevention and immune function, most people think nutrition, exercise, or detox. But there’s a critical missing link that rarely gets the attention it deserves: the nervous system.
Dr. Dan Yachter teaches that the nervous system is the master controller of the entire body—including your immune system. If your brain can’t properly communicate with your body due to interference, your immune defenses falter. And when that happens, disease—including cancer—has the chance to grow.
Your brain sends messages of healing, regulation, and repair through the spinal cord to every organ, gland, and tissue. The immune system is no exception. Nerves extend into:
The thymus – A gland where T-cells (a type of white blood cell) mature and learn to distinguish self from non-self. Vital for immune education.
Spleen – A major lymphatic organ that filters blood, stores white blood cells, and helps fight certain bacteria.
Lymph nodes – Sites where lymphocytes are stored and activated to fight off pathogens. They are positioned throughout the body.
Bone marrow – The source of immune cell production, including white and red blood cells.
Gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) – The immune tissue in your digestive tract, making up over 70% of your total immune capacity.
When communication to these immune centers is disrupted, the system is less responsive and more vulnerable to infection and disease. Subluxations—spinal misalignments—create this interference. Chiropractic adjustments restore this vital connection.
“It’s not just a sore back. A misaligned spine is blocking immune intelligence from flowing.” – Dr. Dan Yachter
A subluxation is a spinal joint that’s out of alignment and not moving properly. It creates mechanical stress that compromises nervous system function. This leads to:
Reduced white blood cell activity – Impairs the immune system’s ability to identify and eliminate pathogens and abnormal cells.
Lowered natural killer (NK) cell function – These are the body's primary cancer-fighting cells that destroy mutated or infected cells.
Elevated cortisol – Chronic stress hormones like cortisol suppress immune responses, reducing the number and effectiveness of immune cells.
Increased inflammation system-wide – Low-grade chronic inflammation creates the perfect breeding ground for degenerative diseases, including cancer.
This silent dysfunction can go unnoticed for years until symptoms surface—and by then, the immune system is already overwhelmed.
One of the most powerful illustrations of the nervous system’s role in immunity came from a study on HIV-positive patients. Those who received consistent chiropractic care experienced a:
48% increase in CD4 white blood cells – CD4 cells coordinate the immune response, helping to activate other cells to destroy pathogens and tumors.
Meanwhile, patients who did not receive care showed a decline in their immune cell count. This proves the direct connection between nervous system function and immune resilience—especially in chronically ill or immunocompromised patients.
The nervous system also governs how your body responds to emotional stress. When you're anxious or overwhelmed, the hypothalamus activates the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis:
The brain perceives danger – Even non-physical stress like financial worries or relationship conflict.
It sends signals to release cortisol – The body’s primary stress hormone.
Cortisol suppresses immune function – Reducing lymphocytes and impairing the body’s ability to fight infections or kill rogue cells.
Prolonged emotional stress results in chronic inflammation, increased susceptibility to illness, and higher risk of cancer development.
Dr. Yachter recommends:
Chiropractic adjustments – Restore physical balance to reduce nervous system stress.
Forgiveness and emotional release – Letting go of emotional toxins to lighten the burden on your nervous system.
Deep, restorative sleep – Enhances parasympathetic (healing) activity.
Sleep is when your body performs its most critical healing and immune functions. During deep sleep, melatonin is released:
Melatonin – A powerful antioxidant and anti-cancer hormone. It supports natural killer cells and inhibits tumor growth.
Sleep deprivation, on the other hand:
Increases stress hormone levels
Promotes systemic inflammation
Weakens the immune response
Chronic lack of quality sleep leads to a 2–3x increase in cancer growth rates in laboratory studies. Chiropractic care supports better sleep by balancing the nervous system and reducing tension.
At Elevation Health, we use advanced technology to evaluate how your nervous system is functioning:
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) – Measures the balance between sympathetic (stress) and parasympathetic (rest) nervous systems. High HRV indicates strong adaptability and resilience. Low HRV is linked with higher cancer risk and immune dysfunction.
Neurothermal Scans – Assess temperature variations along the spine, revealing imbalances in autonomic nervous system function. This helps pinpoint stress patterns affecting immunity.
Tracking your nervous system allows us to customize care and help you strengthen your body’s natural defenses.