Chiropractic Care and Brain Function

Neck pain, back pain, and headaches can be caused by all sorts of factors, including stress to poor posture to a misaligned spine. The good news is that a chiropractor can help ease these issues while also giving your brain a much-needed boost.

Chiropractic manipulation, also known as adjustments, are well-known for offering physical relief. There's no better feeling than having your back, neck, or any other tense area on your body adjusted. But did you know that chiropractic care also helps with brain function? In fact, the two go hand-in-hand.

If you’re looking to feel better from head to toe, now’s the time to schedule routine chiropractic manipulation sessions. Keep reading to learn more about how regular chiropractic care supports healthy brain function.

The connection between adjustments and the brain

There is endless research that has proven the many physical benefits of chiropractic care. Adjustments can ease tense muscles, relieve joint pain, and keep you feeling strong and limber. At the same time, chiropractic care also works wonders for your brain.

Studies have found that neural plastic changes occur in the brain after chiropractic adjustments. Changes can be seen specifically in the primary motor cortex, sensory cortex, the prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia and the cerebellum.

One study found that chiropractic adjustment positively affects brain function by almost 20 percent.

But why is this important? Many people seek chiropractic care after experiencing chronic headaches, neck pain, or lower back pain. When patients with these symptoms get an adjustment, there’s a notable impact to brain function after just one session.

Just as chiropractic care recalibrates the body, it offers the same benefits for the brain. The limbic system is an area of the brain that maintains balance throughout the body. It's composed of the hippocampus and hypothalamus, which play a role in the endocrine and nervous systems.

The brain and the spine

The effectiveness of the hypothalamus is directly related to the nervous system's ability to send and receive messages. It also plays a role in the ability for nerve messages to successfully travel along the spinal cord.

The spinal cord coordinates reflexes, muscle movement, and most bodily functions. In fact, it's a direct extension of the brain. The spine is made of 24 vertebrae, which are moveable, making them susceptible to misalignment.

Known as vertebral subluxations, these misalignments can cause damaging stress in the nervous system. This includes physical, mental, emotional, and chemical forms of stress.

Mental and emotional stress causes the build-up of inflammation that accumulates in the spine, nerves, and brain. To protect itself, the brain releases stress hormones, namely adrenaline and cortisol. In the short-term this is a healthy bodily response. However, long-term stress response damages the hippocampus and hypothalamus. This impacts the brain's ability to produce and release dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. When these chemicals are low or imbalanced, they can lead to all sorts of non-physical problems, including:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Brain fog
• Memory issues
• Restlessness
• Sleep

High cortisol and adrenaline levels have also been linked to poor immune and reproductive health. This is because the body is in a constant state of fight or flight.

The wonders of chiropractic care

An aligned, balanced spine means less pain and happier days. It also means a healthier brain and body. When the spine is adjusted, negative hormones are stopped from flooding the brain and body. Each chiropractic adjustment works to reset the chemistry of the brain. They also reallocate blood flow back into crucial areas of the body.

This reset enables the frontal cortex to work at optimal levels. After an adjustment, you should notice better cognitive function. In turn, you’ll learn faster and have improved recall.

Chiropractic care recalibrates the brain and helps to keep it working as it should. There’s no surprise why people who undergo routine chiropractic care are often happier and more carefree. They also tend to handle stress better than those who don’t receive regular adjustments.

Give your brain a boost with the help of a Meridian Chiropractor

If you experience chronic neck pain, back pain, or headaches, chances are that you aren’t living your best life. Not only do you deal with pain and inflammation on a daily basis, you’re left suffering from the mental and emotional consequences as well.

Life is too short to not spend each day feeling amazing! Make 2022 the year you finally prioritize your physical and mental well-being. With the help of a professional chiropractor in Meridian, Idaho you can give your body and brain the care they need.

Routine adjustments are key to feeling and being your best. Align Integrated Medical provides a unique approach to solving common functional health problems. By treating back pain, neck pain, and chronic headaches, you'll also benefit from a clearer mind, improved memory, and balanced emotions.

Ready to get started? Contact our team today and schedule a consultation to learn more about the wonders of chiropractic care.