Chiropractic Care and Mental Health: A Growing Connection
Did you know that chiropractic care may offer more than just relief from back and neck pain? According to a recent survey of over 34,000 people in the United States, nearly 70% of those who had received chiropractic care said it improved their overall health and helped them feel better. Remarkably, over 40% also reported better sleep, reduced stress, and improved relaxation. These findings suggest a growing appreciation for chiropractic care's potential impact on mental well-being.
Mental Health: A Global Challenge
Mental health disorders, particularly anxiety and depression, are on the rise globally. These conditions can severely affect daily life—making it difficult to sleep, eat, work, socialize, or care for loved ones. In 2017, nearly 800 million people worldwide were estimated to be living with a mental health disorder. The World Health Organization ranks depression among the leading causes of disability.
While treatments like medication, psychotherapy, and self-care strategies (like exercise and meditation) help many, they don’t work for everyone. This has led people to explore complementary approaches—such as chiropractic care.
How Can Chiropractic Care Influence Mental Health?
For the past two decades, researchers have explored how chiropractic adjustments influence the nervous system, particularly the prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain responsible for emotional regulation, decision-making, and social behavior.
This is important because mental health disorders are often linked to imbalances in brain function:
People with anxiety and depression typically have an overactive limbic system (the brain’s emotional center) and a less active prefrontal cortex.
Chronic stress contributes to this imbalance by shutting down the prefrontal cortex and over-activating the limbic brain.
Additionally, mental health conditions are associated with dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system—an imbalance between the "fight or flight" (sympathetic) and the "rest and digest" (parasympathetic) responses.
Chiropractic’s Role in the Brain and Nervous System
Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to:
Stimulate the prefrontal cortex, enhancing emotional control and cognitive function.
Improve parasympathetic nervous system activity, which promotes relaxation, healing, and stress reduction.
Reduce sympathetic nervous system dominance, potentially lowering stress hormone levels like adrenaline and cortisol.
This may help explain why so many chiropractic patients report feeling calmer, more relaxed, and better overall.
What Does the Research Say?
Though research in this area is still emerging, early studies are promising:
A 2016 study in Spain examined the effects of spinal manipulation (a technique chiropractors are trained in) on people with tension-type headaches. Participants were split into two groups—one received neck adjustments, and the other received soft tissue massage. After four weeks, those who received spinal adjustments experienced the greatest improvements in anxiety and depression symptoms.
Another line of research shows that chiropractic adjustments can influence brain activity in real time—particularly in regions responsible for emotion regulation, memory, and stress response.
While these studies don’t yet offer definitive proof, they provide a foundation for further exploration. The growing body of evidence supports the idea that chiropractic care may positively influence brain function and emotional well-being.
A Complementary Approach Worth Considering
If you or someone you know struggles with anxiety, depression, or chronic stress, chiropractic care might offer a supportive, drug-free option to explore. It’s not a replacement for traditional mental health treatments, but it may be a valuable addition to an overall wellness plan.
As always, speak with your healthcare provider before making changes to your care routine. But for many, visiting a qualified chiropractor could be one more step toward a healthier, more balanced life.
