People who choose to have ongoing chiropractic care talk about multiple benefits like: experiencing less pain, freedom of movement, sleeping better, being calmer, more able to focus on study, better headspace, and the list goes on…,but how does a chiropractic spinal manipulation create that kind of change in a body?
People often come to the chiropractor looking for help with a pain or a postural problem. When their pain is resolved, many choose to stay for ongoing care. Why is that?
Most of these people would say the regular care keeps them moving better and feeling good in their own skin, or some version of that. They talk about multiple benefits of regular chiro care like: experiencing less pain, freedom of movement, sleeping better, being calmer, more able to focus on study, better headspace, the list goes on…,but how does a chiropractic spinal manipulation create that kind of change in a body?
Research shows regular chiropractic maintenance care (that is care beyond the initial intensive care to resolve a pain or problem) is an economical tool that results in people having less pain less often [read more about is the blog I wrote on the topic here].
However, that doesn’t explain why people experience the subjective benefits people report when they choose ongoing maintenance care with their chiro.
I have spent some time talking about neuroplasticity in previous blogs [read more here]. Neuroplasticity refers to the ability of our brain and nervous system to adapt to the stimuli it receives from inside and outside our bodies. From paragliding to breastfeeding; reading a thriller to curling up with a loved furry one on the couch; from a visceral dislike of mushrooms to the awe of a magnificent natural vista; from walking carefully on a slippery surface to pulling fresh baked bread from the oven; from a rip-snorting argument to returning to the gym and lifting with ease after an injury…it all flavours what our brain perceives as safe and what it thinks our body is capable of doing.
Our brain collates the current sensory input of each moment (from inside the body and outside the body) with all of that lived experience, and then calculates what it predicts will happen next and prepares the body for that eventuality. All in a split second. That's pretty awesome when you think about it.
When rehabilitating from an injury, neuroplasticity can be a force for good where we progressively stimulate our brain to promote healing, recovery and confidence in the injured part to return to normal function (where possible within the limitations of matter). Or it can be a negative, where the brain becomes more and more overprotective and limiting, leading to chronic pain and dysfunction in the injured part. There is, of course, a spectrum of possibility between these two points.
I have said, so many times, that chiropractic care works on the brain, utilising neuroplasticity, to promote a shift towards normal function in the body. Across the last 15 years a steadily growing library of research is accumulating that supports this.
Research has shown us that a chiropractic adjustment to the spine changes the sensory data the brain receives from that joint. This clarified data then alters the way particular parts of the brain work ~ specifically:
• the primary somatosensory cortex [collates all the sensory data the body collects from skin, muscles and joints ~ this lets you know if you’re stepping on soft grass or sharp gravel].
• the primary motor cortex [sends out signals to coordinate and control muscle action or movement. It sends messages to your muscles, telling them when and how to move ~ whether you're waving hello, kicking a ball, or wiggling your toes.].
• the prefrontal cortex [the prefrontal cortex is like the CEO of your brain ~ it’s in charge of decision-making, problem-solving, and self-control. It helps you plan ahead, focus, manage emotions, and resist impulses (like not eating the whole cake in one go!) It’s also the part of your brain that helps with social behaviour, motivation, and memory, making sure you think before you act and stay on track with your goals. Basically, it’s what keeps us from behaving like toddlers throwing tantrums].
• and the cerebellum [the cerebellum is like your body's coordinator and balance expert. It helps you stay steady on your feet, move smoothly, and react quickly. Whether you're walking, dancing, catching a ball, or even just standing upright, your cerebellum is working behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly. Think of it like your brain’s autopilot ~ you don’t have to consciously think about balance and movement, but it’s always adjusting things to keep you from tipping over! It’s also the part of the brain that maintains your posture ~ it’s the engram here we have to tweak when retraining someone into better posture habits.]
Yes. You read that right. Chiropractic care changes the way the brain works.In November 2024, Haavik et. al. published a paper titled “Neuroplastic Responses to Chiropractic Care: Broad Impacts on Pain, Mood, Sleep, and Quality of Life”. In this extensive investigation Haavik et. al. explored how people with chronic lower back pain responded to chiropractic care across four weeks. They measured:
• the changes in the brain using electroencephalography (EEG ~ monitoring electrical activity in the brain),
• somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP ~ monitoring how well sensory signals are transmitted to the brain),
• continuous Fitbit data (which provides quality of sleep and physical activity data) and
• patient reported experience on quality of life metrics (pain, physical function, fatigue, pain interference, depressive symptoms, anxiety, ability to participate in social roles and activities, and quality of sleep).
This was a very detailed investigation which went on to deliver some illuminating insights.
• Brainwaves Got a Boost – Theta, Alpha, and Beta waves increased, which are linked to relaxation, focus, and alertness. (Think of it like tuning a fuzzy radio station to crystal-clear sound!)
• Less Pain
• Less Stress ~ people experienced less anxiety, and depression.
• Better sleep and less fatigue after four weeks of chiropractic care.
• Sharper Brain-Body Communication ~ Chiropractic care influenced the default mode network (DMN). This is a key brain network tied to self-reflection, emotions, and pain processing. Basically, chiropractic care helped the brain untangle stress and pain signals. This improved the brain’s self-referencing and emotional evaluation of current stimuli which results in people feeling happier and healthier.
• Quality of Life Improved – Participants reported less fatigue, better mood, and improved sleep ~ which is great news for anyone who wants to feel their best!
So back to our original question ~ why do people continue seeing a chiropractor when their pain is gone? Who wouldn’t with the ongoing benefits of pain reduction, better mood, better sleep and improved quality of life?
Excuse the pun, but it’s a no-brainer!
What about you?
