By Dr Sheree Moore, Chiropractor
I recently attended a chiropractic conference where I had the opportunity to listen to presentations from chiropractors and researchers from all around the world. One of the highlights for me was hearing from a New Zealand chiropractor who has dedication much of career to chiropractic research and shared some exciting new findings.
This particular study really stood out to me because it aligns so closely with why I became a chiropractor. I love helping people understand that chiropractic care is about more than simply getting people out of pain. It is about supporting the nervous system so people can function at their best, and now we are seeing more research to support that idea.
A recent review published in Brain Sciences found that chiropractic care may have measurable effects on both the brain and overall wellbeing.
Compared with control groups, people receiving chiropractic care demonstrated significantly increased brain activity and functional connectivity, suggesting-enhanced communication and integration within the nervous system. Researchers also reported significantly improved quality of life, along with significant reductions in anxiety, depression, fatigue, and pain levels.
Interestingly, participants receiving chiropractic care also experienced a significant increase in light sleep duration, highlighting the potential relationship between spinal health, nervous system function and restorative processes within the body.
While further high-quality research is still needed, these findings add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that chiropractic care may support more than pain relief alone. It may positively influence how the brain and body function together.
Reference: Haavik H, Niazi IK, Amjad I, et al. Neuroplastic Responses to Chiropractic Care: Broad Impacts on Pain, Mood, Sleep, and Quality of Life. Brain Sciences. 2024;14(11):1124.