The goal of this article is to provide the clinician with information and knowledge of known biological mechanisms involved in somatic dysfunction.

The reader will have the ability to describe:

• The neural endocrine-immune network and its relationship to somatic dysfunction
• How somatic dysfunction is endocrinly controlled and maintained
• Some of the known mechanisms of how somatic dysfunction is altered biomechanically, biochemically, and bioenergetically.

The human is a complex interdependent relationship of structure, function and mind. The human body possess complex homeostatic mechanisms that maintains equilibrium for self regulation and self healing. These homeostatic mechanisms represent an integrated network of messenger molecules produced by cells in neural, endocrine and immune systems. Their signal coding and messenger molecules communicate through receptor complexes located on cell membranes. The critical role of the nervous system especially the lymphatic, forebrain and hypothalamus, influences the output of the endocrine and immune systems.

Traditionally, the immune and nervous systems were considered separate and independent, each with its own cell types, cell functions and intercellular regulators. Altered function in each system was related to the disease considered specific to that system. We now recognize not only the interdependence and interlocking molecular organization but also their extensive integration with the endocrine system.The conceptual separations between the neural endocrine immune system concerning structure, function and communication have been discarded. In their stead is a combination of multiple dimensional network contributing to the functional unity of the body.

Today, we recognize this multifactorial nature is a result of the following interactions of genetic, endocrine, nervous, immune and behavioral-emotional systems. This complex bi-directional interaction occurs within the neural-endocrine-immune network. This network forms the prime defense against disease and is responsible for the resistance of infectious disease as well as cancer. The sensory information from external and internal sources is tightly integrated with cognitive and emotional processes which influence their neural endocrine immune network through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.