Did you know that when you are struggling with back and neck pain it could also be having an effect on how your brain is working?
I know that most of you only think of chiropractic care when you have back and neck pain or are struggling with headaches or sciatica.
But what many of you don’t realize is that when I make an adjustment to the spine it has a profound effect on brain function.
Researchers have discovered something remarkable: chiropractic adjustments don’t just affect your spine—they actually change how your brain functions.
Your Brain’s Command Center
To understand this connection, we need to talk about a specific part of your brain called the prefrontal cortex. Think of it as your brain’s CEO—it’s located right behind your forehead and controls many of your most important mental functions. This area manages your ability to focus, make decisions, coordinate movements, and even know where your arms and legs are in space without looking at them.
The Groundbreaking Research
Dr. Heidi Haavik, a leading researcher from New Zealand who holds a PhD in human neurophysiology, has spent years studying how chiropractic care affects the brain. Her most significant study, published in the prestigious journal Neural Plasticity in 2016, revealed something extraordinary.
Using sophisticated brain imaging technology, Dr. Haavik’s research showed that a single chiropractic adjustment changes brain function by almost 20 percent on average. Even more fascinating, the changes occurred predominantly in the prefrontal cortex—that crucial command center we mentioned earlier.
What makes this research particularly compelling is that the study was conducted in an independent medical professor’s lab, where scientists who had no preconceived ideas about chiropractic collected and analyzed all the data. This eliminates potential bias and strengthens the credibility of the findings.
What This Means for Your Daily Life
So what does a 20% improvement in prefrontal cortex function actually mean for you? Dr. Haavik noted that this effect could explain improvements in sensorimotor function relevant to falls-prevention; better joint-position sense in both the upper limb and the lower limb; improved muscle strength in lower limb muscles; better pelvic floor control; and better ability to carry out mental rotation of objects.
In simpler terms, when your prefrontal cortex works better, you might experience:
- Better balance and coordination
- Improved ability to sense where your body is in space
- Enhanced muscle strength
- Better focus and decision-making
- Improved ability to process spatial information
As Dr. Haavik explains, “The prefrontal cortex is the area in the brain where higher learning and cognition happen… That part of the brain is like the conductor” of an orchestra, coordinating all the different systems in your body.
The Spine-Brain Connection
You might wonder how adjusting your spine can affect your brain. The answer lies in understanding that your spine and brain are in constant communication through your nervous system. When spinal joints aren’t moving properly, they send altered signals to your brain. The mechanisms behind pain relief following spinal manipulation are likely due to improved sensorimotor integration and appropriate motor control.
Think of it like having a poor phone connection—when the signals between your spine and brain are clear and accurate, your brain can function optimally. When those signals are distorted due to spinal dysfunction, it affects how your brain processes information and coordinates your body’s functions.
Looking Forward
This research opens up exciting possibilities for understanding how chiropractic care might benefit not just musculoskeletal problems, but cognitive function, balance, and overall neurological health. Dr. Haavik and her colleagues continue to explore these connections, including studies on how chiropractic care might help with conditions like ADHD and other neurological challenges.
So next time you visit me or another chiropractor, remember that you’re not just getting treatment for your back or neck—you’re potentially giving your brain’s command center a boost that could improve how you think, move, and navigate through your daily life.
