Effects of Chiropractic Treatment
Recent scientific research is helping us better understand how chiropractic treatments work. Today, more than a hundred years after the “first” chiropractic treatment, we know much more about how the brain and the rest of the central nervous system function. Thanks to this growing knowledge, we have a better understanding of the mechanisms behind how chiropractic treatment works.
What is a chiropractic subluxation?
Chiropractors treat dysfunctional vertebrae in your spine, often referring to them as “subluxations.” Originally, many people thought that “subluxations” in the spine were “out of place” or misaligned, and that this put pressure on the nerves exiting the spine. We now know that this theory isn’t really the best way to describe what a subluxation is. We have come to understand more and more that we aren’t actually putting bones back into place when we treat the spine. A subluxation of the spine isn’t so much the condition of a bone that is out of place; it’s more that a bone is functioning or moving in a less-than-ideal way—in a way that isn’t “normal” for the body.
The Reality Check
If you'd like to learn more about this groundbreaking research, read the book The Reality Check by Dr. Heidi Haavik.
Recent scientific discoveries clearly reveal that the brain retains its ability to adapt throughout life to the ever-changing circumstances in which we find ourselves. It has also become clear to neuroscientists how important it is for our brains to maintain an accurate and up-to-date internal “map” of the location of our muscles and joints and how they relate to one another. Without this internal map, our brains cannot properly sense and control our bodies.
If you think about it, it’s actually very simple. Most of what you perceive as reality is simply what your brain considers to be reality—or your brain’s translation and interpretation of all the information it receives from your sensory receptors (in your ears, eyes, skin, muscles, etc.). With this in mind, can you really be sure that what you see is a complete and accurate reflection of what is actually happening?
“The function of the spine appears to be a factor that the brain uses as part of the process of integrating all information to create your inner virtual reality.”
Neuroscientists know that this is not the case. For example, our eyes interpret the color of an object based on the color we think it should have, which is influenced by the colors of nearby objects. Our brain fills in missing information based on past experiences and expectations.
This is where chiropractic comes into play. Research shows that vertebral subluxations lead to changes in the information that a section of the spine sends to the brain. Instead of receiving information that the subluxated vertebral segment is moving as it should, the brain receives different information. It may receive information that the subluxated segment is moving more than “normal,” not moving at all, or simply moving differently than “normal.” What’s really interesting is that when spinal segments don’t move properly, this affects how the brain perceives and responds to other sensory information. The function of the spine appears to be a factor that the brain uses as part of the integration of all information to create your inner virtual reality. When this happens, it can result in a disruption of proper movement control that affects human performance and can ultimately cause pain and other functional impairments.1
The Clumsy Syndrome
Chiropractic care plays a role in helping people with poor proprioceptive function, also known as “Clumsy Syndrome.” Proprioception refers to your brain’s ability to know where all your body parts are when you close your eyes. You rely on this sense to move without making mistakes. If a subluxation alters your internal map, your proprioceptive function is impaired. This can mean that you don’t know exactly where your arms or legs are when you close your eyes, making you more likely to be clumsy and prone to accidents. Recent research shows that chiropractic treatments can improve proprioception,2,3 meaning that the brain is better able to respond to sensory stimuli and can control the function and movement of the limbs more accurately.
Simply put, chiropractic care improves communication between the brain and the body and results in better control over the core and spinal muscles during physical activity, reducing your risk of injury.4 Research shows that a single session of chiropractic care can improve the activation of these muscles5 and increase muscle activation to a degree equivalent to three weeks of strength training.6
This is good news for people who want to improve their athletic performance and prevent injuries!
References
1. Haavik & Murphy. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. Apr. 5, 2012;22(5):768-776.
2. Haavik & Murphy. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapy. 2011;34:88-97.
3. Holt et al. JMPT. April 2, 2016.
4. Malliou et al. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation 17: 101-104 101
5. Marshall & Murphy. JMPT. 2006;29:196-202.
6. Niazi et al. Exp Brain Res. 2015;233:1165-1173.
Acknowledgments
· Dr. Heidi Haavik - B.S. (Physiology), B.S. (Chiropractic), Ph.D.
· Dr. Kelly Holt - BSc, BSc(Chiro), PGDipHSc, PhD
· Dr. Jenna Duehr - BChiro, BHSC (Nursing), MHSc
