Learn how chiropractic care can support the nervous system and overall health. Research shows that spinal adjustments may influence brain function, improve sensorimotor integration, and support the body’s ability to adapt and heal. Studies from researchers such as Dr. Heidi Haavik suggest chiropractic care can create measurable changes in the brain areas responsible for movement, coordination, and body awareness.

Chiropractic Care and the Nervous System: What the Research Shows

When most people think about chiropractic care, they think about back or neck pain. While chiropractors often help with these issues, modern research suggests chiropractic care may influence something even more important: the function of the nervous system.

At Salt and Light Chiropractic in Post Falls, our focus is not simply on symptoms. We focus on helping the spine and nervous system function the way they were designed to. Emerging research in neuroscience is helping us better understand how chiropractic adjustments influence the brain and body.

The Spine and Brain Are Closely Connected

Your brain communicates with the rest of your body through the spinal cord and nervous system. Every movement, organ function, and healing response depends on this communication system.

When joints in the spine lose proper motion or become restricted, it can alter the sensory signals traveling from the body to the brain. Over time, this may influence how the brain processes information and controls the body.

Chiropractic adjustments aim to restore proper movement in the spine so the nervous system can communicate more effectively.

Dr. Heidi Haavik’s Research on Chiropractic and Brain Function

One of the leading researchers studying the neurological effects of chiropractic care is Dr. Heidi Haavik, a chiropractor and neurophysiologist from the New Zealand College of Chiropractic.

Her research focuses on how spinal adjustments influence the brain and central nervous system.

Using tools such as EEG, electromyography, and transcranial magnetic stimulation, Dr. Haavik and her research team have observed measurable changes in brain activity following chiropractic adjustments.

Some of the key findings from this research include:

• Chiropractic adjustments can influence how the brain processes sensory information from the body.
• Adjustments may improve sensorimotor integration, which is how the brain coordinates movement and posture.
• Spinal adjustments have been shown to create measurable changes in the prefrontal cortex, an area involved in decision making, coordination, and motor control.
• Some studies have shown changes in brain function of nearly 20 percent after spinal adjustments, particularly in areas involved with body awareness and movement control.

These findings suggest chiropractic care may influence how the brain processes information from the spine and body.

Neuroplasticity and Chiropractic Care

One of the most exciting areas of research in neuroscience is neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to change, adapt, and form new neural connections throughout life.

Recent research suggests chiropractic adjustments may stimulate neuroplastic responses within the nervous system.

These changes may influence:

• coordination and balance
• motor control
• posture and movement efficiency
• pain processing within the nervous system

Some research has even identified changes in biomarkers related to neuroplasticity and inflammation following a program of chiropractic care.

This suggests chiropractic care may influence both neurological and physiological processes within the body.

Chiropractic Care Beyond Pain Relief

Because chiropractic care influences the nervous system, it may help support overall function in ways that go beyond symptom relief.

Research has linked chiropractic adjustments with improvements in:

• muscle activation and strength
• balance and coordination
• reaction time and movement control
• pain perception and nervous system regulation

This is why many individuals continue chiropractic care even when they are not experiencing pain.

Maintaining proper spinal function may help the nervous system communicate more efficiently, which can support overall health and physical performance.

Chiropractic Care at Salt and Light Chiropractic

At Salt and Light Chiropractic, our goal is to help individuals and families in the Post Falls community experience better nervous system function and improved overall health.

We proudly serve patients from:

Post Falls
Coeur d’Alene
Hayden
Rathdrum
Liberty Lake
Spokane Valley

Our office is located at:

724 N Highway 41 Suite C
Post Falls, Idaho 83854

Whether you are experiencing pain, recovering from injury, or simply looking to improve your health naturally, chiropractic care may help support your body’s ability to function at its best.

.📞 (208) 432-9123 or Book Online

References

Haavik H, Murphy B. Manipulation of dysfunctional spinal joints affects sensorimotor integration in the prefrontal cortex.
Brain Sciences Journal.

Haavik H. Neuroplastic Responses to Chiropractic Care.
Brain Sciences.

Amjad I et al. Effects of Chiropractic Spinal Adjustments on Neuroplasticity Biomarkers.
PLOS ONE.

Lelic D et al. Spinal manipulation alters somatosensory processing in the brain.
Journal of Neural Transmission.