01 Apr Chiropractic Adjustments Improve Brain Function

Hi Dr Michael here,

I have included a summary of an interesting study to do with the brain and chiropractic. The brain is a part of the body that I believe is still quite unknown. The knowledge we do have currently about the brain and its role in life is far greater than even 5 years ago, but I believe there is huge scope for more knowledge that surely will be revealed over the coming years.

Chiropractic has long been known for providing changes in human physiology and function beyond pain relief. Only in the recent years has there been more understanding of the role of chiropractic in brain function. This is super important as one aspect that everyone would agree upon is that the better our brains fire the better our lives become.

What I find most interesting in the summary of the research article is that chiropractic adjustments can influence a meditative state. Meditation has been known to provide benefits in areas such as stress, anxiety, blood pressure, focus and general healing.

For those people that already meditate, chiropractic can further enhance the benefits. For those that do not meditate, but do go to a chiropractor regularly, it is great to know that some of the benefits that meditation provides can also be achieved through chiropractic care.

  Chiropractic Adjustments Improve Brain Function

Approximately 100 volunteers were examined with an electroencephalogram (EEG) before and after chiropractic adjustments.

 A study presented at the International Research And Philosophy Symposium held at Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic finds that Chiropractic adjustments have a positive effect on the Central Nervous System (CNS), specifically on the four primary frequencies of brain function.

Brain function is measured on four primary frequencies: Beta, Alpha, Theta and Delta.

• Alpha waves reflect the meditative, relaxing healing mode.
• Beta waves represent the active, busy brain.
• Theta waves reflect light sleep, relaxation and conceptual development.
• Delta waves represent the brain activity during deep sleep, repair mode and energy storage.

The study was conducted over a three year period. Approximately 100 volunteers were examined with an electroencephalogram (EEG) before and after chiropractic adjustments.

The EEG scans were examined to check the right/left balance, the amount of total activity, the primary regions of activity and the effect of the adjustment.

After receiving a chiropractic adjustment, post EEG scans revealed improvement in all areas of the volunteer’s brain function. Particularly, the researchers noticed an increase in the meditative Alpha brainwave patterns that are associated with a greater degree of relaxation, health and healing.

The researchers noted that some of the volunteers already had balanced and active brain scans and the adjustments had little effect on their post scans. They felt this was a good indicator that the adjustments had no negative effects on brain activity.

Commentary: The implications of this study are profound indeed. Over and over research is proving that chiropractic care has the ability to positively affect body function on a far greater level than simple pain relief.