14 Benefits of Chiropractic Adjustments for Your Body and Mind

Chiropractors use spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) to treat musculoskeletal and nervous system disorders. More than 35 million American adults and children receive chiropractic adjustments each year, with the most common conditions treated by chiropractors being neck, back and joint pain, as well as headaches.¹

Here's a look at 14 common benefits — for both your body and mind — of getting a chiropractic adjustment.

1. Pain Relief

A chiropractic adjustment uses spinal manipulation to address joint and movement dysfunctions in the spine and surrounding tissues, helping improve function and reduce pain. Adjustments influence neural pathways by enhancing spinal motion and improving coordination between the nerves that connect the spine and brain, which may help restore more efficient nervous system signaling and reduce the processing of pain signals.

Adjustments may also stimulate the release of endorphins — your body's natural pain-relieving chemicals — which can contribute to relief for people in chronic pain.

Other ways chiropractic adjustments may help reduce neck, headache and back pain include:

• Reducing muscle tension and improving movement in the neck
• Helping decrease the intensity and frequency of chronic headaches and migraines
• Improving spinal mechanics associated with back pain
• Reducing reliance on opioid medications for pain management

2. Improved Posture

Spinal adjustments and spinal decompression therapy can help improve posture by reducing tissue irritation and improving joint motion, allowing posture to improve more naturally.

Chiropractors can also educate you on proper ergonomics and exercises that can help maintain and manage proper posture alignment.

3. Increased Mobility and Flexibility

Daily activities can become uncomfortable when joints and muscles lose normal movement patterns, often due to spinal or joint dysfunction.

Chiropractic adjustments can help improve your mobility and flexibility by:

• Supporting healthy joint movement
• Allowing joints to move more freely and comfortably
• Reducing movement restrictions related to inflammation or soft-tissue changes

4. Natural and Drug-Free Treatment

An attractive benefit of chiropractic care is that it is a holistic modality focusing on using natural movements to align the spine. It does not involve prescribing pain medication or other invasive treatments (surgery, injections, etc.) that are commonly performed by medical doctors to improve pain and mobility.

Studies have shown that patients who used a chiropractor as a first line of treatment for lower back pain were 90% less likely to rely on opioids for both early and long-term pain management.²

5. Enhanced Nervous System Function

The nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves, plays a central role in movement, coordination and overall function. When spinal joints are not moving optimally, communication between the spine and nervous system may become less efficient, contributing to discomfort or altered movement patterns.

By improving spinal motion and alignment, chiropractic adjustments may help support healthier neuromuscular coordination and overall function.

Potential nervous system–related benefits include:

• Improved muscle coordination and control
• Enhanced body awareness and balance
• Support for autonomic nervous system regulation (including stress response, digestion and heart rate)
• Modulation of pain perception through endorphin release

Some research also suggests spinal care may influence parasympathetic nervous system activity, including pathways associated with the vagus nerve, which plays a role in digestion, mood regulation and immune response.

6. Better Athletic Performance

Chiropractic care is not only used for pain management and nerve function. It is also popular among athletes to help improve performance, gain better mobility and prevent injury.

Some ways a chiropractic visit may benefit all types of athletes include:

• Aiding in injury recovery with soft tissue therapy and stretching exercises
• Enhancing performance by improving joint and muscle flexibility, mobility and range of motion
• Helping prepare for big events to feel more balanced and relaxed, both mentally and physically
• Improving the body's natural biomechanics by treating areas of dysfunction
• Reducing inflammation and improving circulation

7. Stress Reduction

Chiropractic adjustments may help reduce physical stress in the body by improving movement and reducing muscular tension, which can positively influence nervous system regulation and relaxation.

8. Improved Sleep Quality

A chiropractic alignment may help improve sleep quality by supporting nervous system regulation, reducing physical tension, and improving overall comfort.

9. Support for Chronic Conditions

Spinal and joint dysfunctions may contribute to ongoing discomfort or movement limitations in certain chronic conditions. Chiropractic care may help reduce symptoms when used alongside appropriate medical care.

10. Immune System Support

Research has explored how spinal adjustments may temporarily influence certain immune markers, such as salivary IgA, which plays a role in the body’s first line of immune defense.

While these changes are typically short-term, they suggest a potential connection between spinal care and immune system activity. More research is needed to fully understand the clinical significance of these findings.

11. Headache Relief

Tension headaches often associated with neck stiffness and muscle tension may respond well to chiropractic care.

Spinal manipulation may help reduce headache frequency and intensity by:

• Reducing muscle tension
• Improving circulation
• Supporting healthy nervous system signaling
• Improving neck and upper-spine

Migraines may also improve for some individuals, although responses vary since migraines involve complex neurological mechanisms.

12. Pregnancy Support

The changes your body undergoes during pregnancy can also lead to spine and joint misalignment, resulting in pain and discomfort.

These changes may include:

• Extended abdomen, causing an extended back curve
• Pelvic shifting
• Posture changes

Some ways a spinal adjustment can help maintain a healthy pregnancy may include:

• Alleviating pelvic, back, neck and joint pain
• Helping control nausea
• Possibly helping prevent an emergency cesarean birth
• Reducing labor and delivery time

Chiropractic care during pregnancy has been shown to be safe and effective.

13. Preventive Healthcare

Chiropractic care isn’t just for treating injuries and pain. It can also play a role in preventive healthcare for long-term wellness and improving quality of life.

Some ways routine check-ins with a chiropractor can benefit long-term health include:

• Helping manage stress by releasing tension in the back, neck and spine
• Improving sleep quality
• Improving balance, flexibility and posture
• Proactively keeping the spine aligned and in good function
• Reducing complications from joint, muscle and ligament injuries
• Supporting the healthy aging of muscles and joints

Taking positive steps towards both mental and physical health can help prevent chronic illness and boost your ability to enjoy your favorite life activities.

14. Personalized Treatment Plans

Chiropractic adjustments are not one-size-fits-all. One of the benefits of seeing a chiropractor is the individualized treatment plan that can be created based on your specific needs.

At your initial visit, the chiropractor will take an in-depth intake of your medical history and conduct a physical exam. They may order diagnostic tests to confirm or rule out the root causes of your main complaint.

Whether it is for preventive care or to treat an existing injury or reduce pain, a personalized chiropractic treatment plan may include:

• Education and ongoing support for your condition and how best to prevent injury
• Lifestyle guidance on adopting healthy habits to improve overall wellness
• Spinal adjustment as the main technique used
• Therapeutic exercises to help with strength, mobility, flexibility and posture

Exploring the Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Visiting a chiropractor for a spinal adjustment can be an effective way to reduce pain and improve mobility and function, offering a valuable alternative to traditional medical interventions such as injections, surgery or taking pain medications. Chiropractors are often accessible through direct access, meaning you can see them without a referral from a medical doctor.

Whether you're managing a chronic condition or seeking preventive care to reduce stress and prevent injury, chiropractic care can be a beneficial option to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions about the benefits of chiropractic care? Here are answers to some common questions.

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Expert Reviewer

Dr. Elizabeth Hoefer is the owner and founder of Well Connected Chiropractic in Mission Viejo, California. She currently serves as an instructor for the Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Society. Dr. Hoefer also holds the title of Director for Policy and Nominations for the California Chiropractic Association, where she plays a significant role in shaping policy, leadership development and the future direction of the profession in California and beyond. In addition, Dr. Hoefer serves as an adjunct faculty member at several respected institutions, including Life College of Chiropractic West, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Sherman College of Chiropractic and Southern California University of Health Sciences.

Author Bio

Amy Isler, M.S.N., R.N., has more than a decade of nursing expertise. She combines her nursing experience and journalism background to create engaging and educational healthcare content for leading brands and publications, including GoodRx, Verywell Health, Vision Center and more. Her mission in writing is to provide positive, accurate and informative articles for consumers.