Chiropractic Care and Stress: How Adjustments Support Your Body's Stress Response

Stress is more than just mental—it manifests physically. Headaches, muscle tension, poor digestion, and fatigue are all signs that your body may be stuck in fight-or-flight mode, governed by the sympathetic nervous system.

Chiropractic care has been shown to influence the autonomic nervous system, which controls your body's stress response. A 2006 study by Budgell and Polus revealed that spinal adjustments can lead to changes in heart rate variability (HRV)—a key indicator of stress and resilience. Higher HRV reflects a better balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) nervous systems.

By reducing spinal tension and improving neurological function, chiropractic care can help downshift the body’s stress levels. Patients often report sleeping better, feeling more relaxed, and having improved focus after care.

Regular adjustments may serve as a natural, non-pharmaceutical way to manage the chronic stress that modern life throws at us.