Metabolic changes in brain and skeletal muscles observed after spinal manipulation.
This interesting small study used young adult males that had some neck pain and shoulder stiffness but had no abnormalities on MRI.
Researchers did a brain scan measuring activity pre and post chiropractic treatment to identify any possible changes from the adjustment.
They also looked at changes in muscle metabolism, salivary amylase enzyme (a marker of autonomic nervous system activity), as well as how the subjects felt as far as muscle tightness and pain
The results were interesting showing…
Changes in brain activity after spinal manipulation included activation of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, cerebellar vermis, and somatosensory association cortex with deactivation of the prefrontal cortex and temporal sites.
Muscle metabolism was trending downward indicating some reduced activity (which would make sense with the other findings) although it wasn’t considered statistically significant.
Other measurements showed a relaxation of neck muscle tension, reduced salivary amylase level (indicating reduced sympathetic nerve activity), and pain relief after the adjustment.
The researchers concluded that changes in brain processing after a chiropractic adjustment may lead to relaxation through a decrease in sympathetic nerve activity.
These findings are important.
They add to a growing body of evidence that a chiropractic adjustment has a much greater positive impact on us than it would appear on the surface.
The findings add proof that chiropractic reduces pain and muscle tightness through brain based changes… which would make sense.
The study also uses an interesting marker of salivary amylase activity.
Higher salivary amylase would be associated with lower sympathetic nervous system activity.
The sympathetic system is the so called ‘fight or flight’ system. It is the opposition to the parasympathetic ‘rest and digest’ system.
It’s a stress response based system that has profound impact on all organ function including digestion, heart, and cardiovascular systems.
It is involved in increasing pain, blood pressure, heart rate, and more.
Reducing over-active sympathetic activity was seen here. It’s also a mechanism used chemically with many drugs.
In this case though, a simple chiropractic treatment changed it.
There’s much more to chiropractic care than most people know.
Chiropractic care is also much more than just an adjustment.
The one thing for which we are best known.
Good chiropractors will also use various other tools including rehabilitation and lifestyle recommendations to help you improve your health and wellness.
If you would like to see Dr. Hagebusch at our Texarkana Clinic, contact us here and we’ll set it up for you!
Dr. Hagebusch has helped thousands of Texarkana area residents recover from injuries, get out of pain, improve headaches, and much more… but most importantly he has helped our patients live a healthier, more active life.
Reference
Glucose Metabolic Changes in the Brain and Muscles of Patients with Nonspecific Neck Pain Treated by Spinal Manipulation Therapy: A FDG PET Study
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Volume 2017, Article ID 4345703
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2017/4345703/
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