The Spine and Disease: What Every Forest Hills Patient Should Know

By Dr. Boris Nektalov, DNM, DC, Chiropractor & Enzyme Nutrition Specialist · Nektalov Chiropractic & Wellness, Forest Hills, Queens NY

Published: June 3, 2026 · Last reviewed: June 3, 2026

There is an old saying often attributed to Socrates: "Look well to the spine for the cause of disease." Whether or not Socrates actually said it, the underlying idea has remarkable staying power — and modern neuroscience helps explain why.

The spine is not simply a structural column. It is the protective housing for the spinal cord — the main communication highway between the brain and every system in the body. When the spine is misaligned or restricted in movement, that communication can be disrupted, contributing to dysfunction that extends far beyond back pain alone.

At Nektalov Chiropractic & Wellness in Forest Hills, Queens, Dr. Boris Nektalov specializes in identifying and correcting these disruptions through chiropractic care and enzyme nutrition therapy.

What Is the Spine-Nervous System Connection?

The spine houses and protects the spinal cord, which carries nerve signals from the brain to every organ, muscle, and tissue in the body. Nerves exit the spinal cord through small openings between vertebrae called foramina. When vertebrae are misaligned or discs are compressed, those openings can narrow — creating pressure on the nerves that pass through them.

This pressure — called vertebral subluxation — does not always cause immediate pain. It can manifest as:

• Muscle weakness or asymmetry
• Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
• Digestive irregularities
• Fatigue and poor sleep
• Reduced immune function
• Difficulty recovering from injury

The nervous system controls virtually every function in the body. Any compromise to its pathways has downstream effects throughout the entire system.

How Spinal Misalignment Affects the Body

Spinal misalignment — or subluxation — can result from:

A 2015 study published in Spine Journal found that approximately 80% of adults will experience back pain significant enough to limit activity at some point in their lives. According to the American Chiropractic Association, back pain is the second most common reason Americans visit a doctor, behind only respiratory infections.

What this data reflects is not just a musculoskeletal problem — it reflects how widely disrupted spinal function has become in modern life.

What Chiropractic Care Actually Does

Chiropractic care focuses on restoring proper alignment, motion, and nerve function in the spine. A chiropractic adjustment is a controlled, targeted force applied to a specific spinal segment to correct restricted or improper movement.

At Nektalov Chiropractic & Wellness in Forest Hills, the evaluation process includes:

1. Comprehensive health history — symptoms, lifestyle, prior injuries
2. Postural and orthopedic assessment — identifying structural imbalances
3. Spinal examination — range of motion, palpation, nerve tension tests
4. Digital imaging when indicated — X-rays to assess structural alignment

Once problem areas are identified, treatment may include:

• Chiropractic adjustments — manual or instrument-assisted correction of subluxations
• Advanced spinal decompression therapy (KDT) — non-surgical traction for disc herniations, sciatica, and degenerative disc disease
• Chiropractic Y-Strap decompression — axial decompression targeting cervical and thoracic spine
• Posture correction protocols — based on the Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP) model

A 2017 systematic review published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that spinal manipulative therapy was associated with statistically significant improvements in pain and function for acute low back pain — with an effect size comparable to NSAIDs, but without the associated gastrointestinal risks.

Beyond Back Pain: What Patients Often Discover

Many patients arrive searching for a sciatica chiropractor in Forest Hills or neck pain chiropractor in Queens — and are surprised to discover that improving their spinal function also affects other areas of their health.

Patients at our Forest Hills clinic commonly report improvements in:

• Energy and sleep quality — as chronic nerve tension reduces
• Digestive function — particularly for patients with thoracic or lumbar involvement
• Stress tolerance — the spine and autonomic nervous system are directly linked
• Headache frequency — especially cervicogenic headaches from upper cervical misalignment

The Role of Enzyme Nutrition in Spinal Health

Structural correction alone is not always sufficient for full recovery. The body requires the proper internal environment to repair tissue, reduce inflammation, and maintain nerve health.

This is where enzyme nutrition therapy plays a key role. Enzymes drive digestion, tissue repair, and anti-inflammatory processes. When enzyme activity is insufficient, the body's ability to absorb nutrients and repair itself is compromised.

Dr. Nektalov's approach combines spinal correction with functional enzyme therapy to address both the structural and biochemical dimensions of health — valuable for chronic inflammation, slow injury recovery, digestive issues alongside musculoskeletal symptoms, and fatigue not fully explained by structural findings alone.

For related reading, see conservative care before spine surgery and gut health and longevity.

Take the Next Step

Your spine is more than structure — it is the primary pathway through which your brain communicates with every part of your body. If you are experiencing back pain, sciatica, neck pain, chronic fatigue, or symptoms that have resisted other treatments, a comprehensive spinal evaluation is one of the most important steps you can take.

Contact Nektalov Chiropractic & Wellness in Forest Hills, Queens to schedule your consultation. We accept most major insurance plans and offer same-week appointments. Book online.

108-50 71st Ave, Lower Level, Forest Hills, NY 11375 · (718) 275-9000

Frequently asked questions

How does spinal misalignment affect overall health?

Spinal misalignment — also called vertebral subluxation — can compress or irritate nerves that exit the spinal cord. Since those nerves communicate with organs, muscles, and systems throughout the body, interference in those signals can contribute to dysfunction beyond just back pain, including digestive issues, fatigue, and reduced immune response.

What does a chiropractor do for back pain?

A chiropractor assesses spinal alignment and movement, identifies areas of restricted motion or nerve interference (subluxations), and uses manual adjustments or spinal decompression therapy to restore proper function. The goal is to improve nervous system communication, not just relieve pain. Chiropractic care may also include posture correction, exercise guidance, and nutritional support.

Can a chiropractor help with sciatica in Forest Hills, NY?

Yes. Sciatica — pain that radiates from the lower back through the leg — is often caused by compression of the sciatic nerve due to a herniated disc, bone spur, or spinal misalignment. At Nektalov Chiropractic & Wellness in Forest Hills, Queens, Dr. Boris Nektalov uses spinal decompression therapy and chiropractic adjustments to reduce that compression and relieve sciatic symptoms.

What is spinal decompression therapy and who is it for?

Spinal decompression therapy is a non-surgical treatment that uses motorized traction to gently stretch the spine, creating negative pressure inside spinal discs. This helps retract herniated or bulging disc material, reduces nerve compression, and promotes nutrient flow into damaged discs. It is commonly used for herniated discs, sciatica, degenerative disc disease, and failed back surgery syndrome.

What is enzyme nutrition therapy and how does it support chiropractic care?

Enzyme nutrition therapy uses targeted enzyme supplements to improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and optimize the body's ability to absorb the nutrients needed for tissue repair. When used alongside chiropractic care, it addresses the internal environment required for healing — because structural alignment alone cannot correct deficiencies in nutrient absorption or chronic systemic inflammation.

How many chiropractic visits does it take to see results?

The number of visits varies by condition severity and individual health status. For acute back pain, many patients experience meaningful improvement within 6–12 visits. Chronic conditions, disc herniations, or long-standing postural issues typically require a more comprehensive care plan. At Nektalov Chiropractic & Wellness, patients receive a thorough evaluation before any treatment plan is recommended.

Is chiropractic care safe?

Chiropractic care is widely considered safe when performed by a licensed chiropractor. Serious adverse events are rare. A 2017 review in the journal Spine found that chiropractic manipulation for acute low back pain had a safety profile comparable to other common treatments. Patients with certain conditions (osteoporosis, spinal instability, or specific vascular conditions) should disclose their full health history before treatment.

Does Nektalov Chiropractic accept insurance in Forest Hills, NY?

Nektalov Chiropractic & Wellness in Forest Hills, Queens accepts most major insurance plans. Patients are advised to call (718) 275-9000 or visit nektalovhealth.com to confirm specific insurance coverage before their first visit.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment of any health condition.