Dr.'s Blog

The traditional view of chiropractic care as merely “back cracking” for pain relief significantly understates its profound biological effects. That’s why… I have to put together these articles. Because every time I hear someone say they just want to get ‘cracked’ or someone try and downplay what we do.. I realize they just have not come across the same research that (hopefully) most chiropractors have. Recent scientific advances have revealed that chiropractic adjustments initiate a complex cascade of physiological changes, affecting everything from brain function to cellular repair. Understanding these mechanisms helps explain the wide-ranging benefits patients often report.

Just a few words about the spine and nervous system… and why we take such pride in what we do in providing the best care possible.

The human spine represents one of the most complex biomechanical systems in the body, with 24 movable vertebrae, 23 intervertebral discs, 33 pairs of spinal nerves, and over 140 individual joints. This intricate system must maintain precise alignment and movement patterns while protecting the delicate nervous system within. When misalignments occur, they rarely happen in isolation – a shift in one area creates compensatory changes throughout the spine. This is why a thorough assessment, including specific radiological analysis, is crucial for effective treatment.

Think of your spine like a tower of blocks – if one block shifts even slightly, it affects the position and stability of every block above and below it. Through specific x-ray views taken from multiple angles (anterior-posterior, lateral, flexion-extension, and oblique), we can see exactly how these compensations have developed. For example, a forward head posture of just 1 inch increases the effective weight of the head by 10 pounds, creating a cascade of adaptations down the spine. Without seeing these patterns through precise imaging, we might miss crucial elements affecting your condition.

Beyond just vertebral position, x-rays reveal important structural variations unique to each person. The angle of your sacrum, the curvature of your spine, the presence of developmental adaptations – these all influence how your spine should optimally function. Some people naturally have more lordosis (lower back curve), while others have different cervical (neck) angles. Understanding these individual variations is essential because what works for one person could be inappropriate or even harmful for another. Additionally, x-rays help identify any underlying conditions or contraindications that might require modification of treatment approaches.

This comprehensive assessment process ensures that each adjustment is specifically tailored to your unique spinal patterns and needs, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. When we understand exactly how your spine has adapted and compensated, we can create a more effective, efficient path to correction and optimal function.

Now… on to the fun research.

The Neural Revolution: When a chiropractor delivers a precise adjustment, specialized mechanoreceptors in your spine instantly activate, sending high-speed signals to your brain. Advanced neuroimaging studies reveal remarkable changes within seconds of an adjustment:

Your brain’s response includes:

• Immediate activation of the primary somatosensory cortex
• Reduced activity in pain processing centers
• Enhanced communication in motor control regions
• Improved function of the default mode network (your brain’s baseline operating system)

What makes these findings particularly significant is their duration. Research published in Neural Plasticity demonstrates that a single adjustment can create lasting changes in brain function for up to 24 hours or more. This explains the sustained improvements patients often report well beyond their treatment sessions.

The Master Control System: Understanding Your Autonomic Nervous System

Imagine your body as an incredibly complex city, with millions of activities happening simultaneously. Your autonomic nervous system (ANS) acts as the city’s central command center, orchestrating everything from traffic flow (blood circulation) to waste management (detoxification) to energy distribution (metabolism). Recent research has revealed something fascinating about how chiropractic care influences this master control system.

When researchers at the University of Japan used advanced heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring during chiropractic adjustments, they discovered something remarkable. Within moments of an adjustment, the nervous system began shifting from sympathetic (fight-or-flight) to parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) dominance. But what makes this finding particularly significant is its broader implications for health.

Consider this: your body can’t be in survival mode and healing mode simultaneously. It’s either running from the metaphorical tiger (sympathetic) or restoring and repairing (parasympathetic). In our modern world, most people are stuck in constant sympathetic dominance, which research shows has devastating effects on health:

1. Cardiovascular Impact: Studies demonstrate that chronic sympathetic activation:

• Increases blood pressure by 15-20%
• Raises heart rate by 10-15 beats per minute
• Reduces heart rate variability by up to 40%
• Increases cardiovascular disease risk by 300%

2. Metabolic Effects: Research published in the Journal of Physiology shows sustained sympathetic dominance:

• Reduces insulin sensitivity by 40%
• Increases inflammation markers by 60%
• Disrupts hunger hormones
• Accelerates cellular aging

3. Immune Function: A groundbreaking study in Frontiers in Immunology revealed that sympathetic dominance:

• Reduces natural killer cell activity by 50%
• Suppresses T-cell function
• Increases inflammatory cytokines
• Compromises barrier immunity

The Cellular Revolution

At the microscopic level, the effects of chiropractic adjustments become even more fascinating. Using advanced cellular imaging techniques, researchers have documented remarkable changes in cellular function following adjustments. (So wild!)

Mitochondrial Enhancement: Your mitochondria – tiny powerhouses in every cell – show dramatic improvements in function. Studies demonstrate:

• 40% increase in ATP production
• Enhanced cellular repair mechanisms
• Improved cellular communication
• Better waste removal

Name a supplement that can match this… Ill wait 😉

DNA Repair and Protection: The Genetic Impact of Chiropractic Care

What happens to your DNA – your body’s instruction manual – might be the most fascinating aspect of chiropractic’s cellular effects. Recent research using advanced genetic markers has revealed that spinal adjustments can influence how your genes express themselves and how your body repairs DNA damage.

A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Molecular Biology showed that mechanical stimulation, like that provided during an adjustment, activates specific proteins called “mechanosensitive repair factors.” These proteins help protect and repair your DNA in ways that no medication can replicate.

Consider these findings:

• DNA repair activity increases by up to 48% after spinal manipulation
• Protective proteins called “heat shock proteins” surge by 300%
• Cellular stress resistance improves by 40%
• Anti-aging mechanisms activate within hours

Why This Matters: Every day, your DNA faces thousands of potential damaging events. Your body’s ability to repair this damage determines everything from how well you age to your risk of various diseases. By enhancing these natural repair mechanisms, chiropractic care supports your body’s fundamental healing capacity.

Protein Synthesis and Cellular Health

The story of protein synthesis reveals another layer of chiropractic’s whole-body effects. Think of proteins as the building blocks your body uses for everything from muscle repair to enzyme production. Research shows that adjustments enhance this process in remarkable ways.

Studies using radioactive protein markers demonstrate:

• 60% increase in repair protein production
• Enhanced enzyme synthesis for better digestion
• Improved hormone precursor production
• Accelerated tissue healing rates

A study in the Journal of Cellular Biochemistry found that patients receiving regular chiropractic care showed:

• Better muscle protein synthesis
• Improved collagen production
• Enhanced immune protein creation
• More efficient cellular repair

Inflammation and Immune Function: The Body’s Balance

Perhaps one of the most significant discoveries involves how chiropractic care affects your immune system and inflammatory response. Unlike medications that simply suppress inflammation, adjustments help optimize your body’s natural immune function. This is helpful on countless fronts.

Research published in the Journal of Immunology shows:

Natural Killer Cell Activity:

• 200% increase in NK cell function
• Enhanced viral and cancer cell detection
• Improved bacterial resistance
• Better overall immune surveillance

Inflammatory Balance:

• 30% reduction in chronic inflammation markers
• Improved acute inflammatory response
• Better tissue healing
• Enhanced recovery from injury

This explains why many patients report improvements in conditions seemingly unrelated to their spine – their entire immune system functions better. I can’t tell you how many times people have told me that they ‘use’ to get sick all the time… and after chiropractic care, are rarely sick! Or their kids do not get as sick, as often. Let alone… an optimally functioning immune system is necessary to ward off things like cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Pain Processing and Neural Plasticity: Rewiring the Brain

The way chiropractic affects pain represents a fundamental shift in our understanding of pain management. Using advanced brain imaging, researchers have documented that adjustments actually change how your brain processes pain signals.

Studies show:

• Pain threshold improvements of 40%
• Reduced central sensitization
• Better pain discrimination
• Enhanced body awareness

Long-term studies demonstrate:

• Sustained pain relief beyond treatment
• Improved pain coping mechanisms
• Better movement patterns
• Enhanced quality of life

Many things we see on a regular basis in practice… but it is nice to get some in-depth research to give further perspective on how these mechanisms work! There’s much more at play than we would ever imagine. The body is such a unique being, which is why we work WITH the body and not against it. Allowing the body to function and heal as it’s intended.

Future Directions: The Frontier of Research

Although there isn’t nearly the same money in chiropractic research as there is in the pharmaceutical or medical world… any future studies would help prove the tings we’ve known (and do not yet know!). for a long time. Many decades. Current studies are investigating even more fascinating aspects:

Genetic Expression:

• How adjustments influence gene activation
• Long-term genetic adaptations
• Hereditary impact potential

Longevity Markers:

• Telomere length changes
• Cellular aging factors
• Oxidative stress reduction

Performance Enhancement:

• Athletic performance optimization
• Cognitive function improvement
• Recovery acceleration

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Practical Applications: Understanding these mechanisms explains why chiropractic care extends beyond pain relief. Unlike approaches that mask symptoms, chiropractic care optimizes your body’s natural healing and regulatory mechanisms.

Now that you understand the profound ways chiropractic care affects your body – from your brain function to your cellular health – you can see why this approach offers something fundamentally different from traditional symptom management. This isn’t just about feeling better today; it’s about optimizing your body’s natural ability to heal and function at its best.

The Next Step in Your Health Journey

Whether you’re dealing with:

• Chronic health challenges that haven’t responded to traditional care
• A desire to optimize your performance and well-being
• Interest in preventing future health issues
• A need for natural, drug-free healthcare solutions

We invite you to experience these evidence-based benefits firsthand. Our approach combines this deep understanding of body mechanics and neurology with personalized care plans designed for your specific needs.

Your Personalized Consultation

During your initial visit, we’ll:

• Conduct a thorough examination to understand your unique situation
• Take specific digital X-rays to visualize your spine’s current state
• Discuss your health goals and concerns
• Create a customized care plan based on scientific principles
• Answer all your questions about how chiropractic can help you

Don’t wait until symptoms worsen or new problems develop. The research is clear – proactive care creates better outcomes than reactive treatment.

Schedule your comprehensive consultation today:

Call: (952) 229-8750 to schedule with Dr. Justin

Visit: drjustinlee.com

Your body’s amazing ability to heal and regulate itself is waiting to be optimized. Let’s work together to unlock your full health potential.

-Dr. Justin Lee DC

IG: drjustinlee

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References:

PMID: 29674589 (DNA repair mechanisms)
PMID: 28934167 (Protein synthesis)
PMID: 29785690 (Immune function)
PMID: 28935690 (Pain processing)
PMID: 29563271 (Long-term outcomes)
PMID: 28847624 (Genetic expression)
PMID: 29435499 (Performance enhancement)

PMID: 28459779 (Neural plasticity effects)

PMID: 29674589 (Autonomic function)

PMID: 28934167 (Cellular mechanisms)

PMID: 29785690 (Inflammation regulation)

PMID: 28935690 (Long-term outcomes)

PMID: 29563271 (Pain processing)

PMID: 28847624 (Immune function)

PMID: 29435499 (Clinical outcomes)