TL;DR: Recent research by neuroscientist Dr. Hedi Haavik provides scientific evidence for what chiropractors have observed clinically: chiropractic adjustments significantly impact the nervous system and overall health by enhancing communication between spine and brain, improving body awareness, movement control, and recovery.
Emerging Evidence and Its Implications
Recent research led by Dr. Hedi Haavik, a chiropractor and neuroscientist, illustrates how chiropractic adjustments impact both spine and brain, offering scientific support for chiropractic's influence on the nervous system and overall wellbeing. Dr. Haavik's studies demonstrate that the relationship between spinal function and brain function plays a crucial role in musculoskeletal health, balance, coordination, and more (Haavik & Murphy, 2012).
Her research shows that spinal adjustments can improve communication between spine and brain, enhancing how the body processes sensory information. This supports the understanding that chiropractic care not only alleviates pain but also enhances body awareness, movement control, and performance (Haavik et al., 2017). These findings align with clinical observations: patients experiencing improved mobility, quicker injury recovery, and enhanced quality of life following chiropractic care.
Reinforcing Clinical Experience with Research
This emerging evidence articulates—in both words and data—what we've observed in practice for years. Chiropractic care has always been about more than relieving back or neck pain; it's about supporting the body's natural function. Dr. Haavik's work highlights how spinal adjustments influence the nervous system, potentially impacting motor skills, reducing discomfort, and enhancing physical performance (Haavik & Murphy, 2012; Haavik, 2014).
As researchers explore these connections, science is catching up with clinical experience, offering clearer understanding of why and how chiropractic care benefits patients. This development validates our work and helps communicate chiropractic's potential benefits to a broader audience, including patients and healthcare professionals.
A Balanced Approach to Chiropractic Care
As chiropractors, our primary goal is providing the highest standard of patient care. Emerging research offers an opportunity to deepen our understanding and integrate these insights to help patients achieve their health goals. By being evidence-informed, we can apply these findings thoughtfully, using our clinical experience to adapt them to individual needs.
This isn't about abandoning traditional practices but enriching them. The evolving evidence provides perspective that helps us better articulate the mechanisms and benefits of spinal adjustments. By merging this knowledge with hands-on expertise, we continue to elevate chiropractic care as an integral component of musculoskeletal and nervous system health.
Looking to the Future
The future of chiropractic is brighter than ever. Research spearheaded by experts like Dr. Haavik provides evidence for understanding the deeper effects of spinal adjustments, empowering chiropractors to explain care benefits more comprehensively. With these insights, chiropractic stands to be recognised not only for pain relief but as vital for supporting the nervous system and promoting overall health.
By embracing this evidence-informed approach, chiropractors can help patients recover, move better, and live healthier lives—offering elevated care rooted in clinical experience and supported by science. This alignment of practice and research marks a new chapter where chiropractic continues to evolve, providing patients with more effective and informed treatment options.
Written by Dr. Tommy-Lee McCafferty DC
References:
Haavik, H., & Murphy, B. (2012). The Role of Spinal Manipulation in Addressing Altered Sensorimotor Integration and Motor Control. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 22(5), 768-776.
Haavik, H. (2014). The Reality Check: A Quest to Understand Chiropractic from the Inside Out. Haavik Research.
Haavik, H., Holt, K., & Murphy, B. (2017). Exploring the Neuromodulatory Effects of Spinal Manipulation on Sensorimotor Integration and Its Role in Optimising Function. Journal of Neural Plasticity, Article ID 7287936.
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