5 Ways Chiropractic Care Can Make You Smarter
By Chris Brown
Clear thinking improves all aspects of a quality life experience. Studies have shown spinal manipulation can have a direct effect on brain function. While more peer-reviewed research is required, five study-backed areas build the case for how chiropractic work can improve cognition.
Boosts prefrontal cortex activity - Perhaps most studied area of the brain within chiropractic research is the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex is important for smarts because it oversees the information processing required to problem solve and make decisions. If you've ever been stuck between two multiple-choice questions, you know what happens when the prefrontal cortex isn't functioning optimally. One study, published in Neural Plasticity, found a 20 percent increase in brain function as a result of prefrontal cortex changes after spinal adjustment.
Stimulates neuroplasticity - Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to reshape itself with fresh neural connections, and therefore learn and solve problems. Impaired neuroplasticity can lead to symptoms of brain fog or memory difficulty and is, in part, caused by suboptimal connections between the nervous system and brain from spinal restriction. Studies have displayed chiropractic adjustments leading to positive neuroplasticity and improving cognitive function and memory.
Sharpens cerebellum function - The cerebellum is a big part of motor function learning and helping your body to physically execute tasks. It is also related to managing mood, anxiety, and depression. It's been observed that neck pain inhibits cerebellum function and so, by alleviating the neck pain, chiropractors often clear up cerebellum issues.
Improves general communication between body and brain - Communication between body and brain is essential to functioning at a high level and even one chiropractic adjustment can improve that communication dramatically. In fact, post-adjustment patients showed a 45 percent increase in the waves used to measure brain and muscle intercommunication. When the brain and body communicate, you can comprehend more information about your environment and make decisions quicker.
Heightens mood - Mood's influence on smarts is well known. If you ever become forgetful when you are angry or stressed, you've experienced how negative mood affects brain function. Chiropractic care has been proven to improve patients' moods after a single visit. This is in part due to reduced pain and tightness in the body, but also because it is more balanced with unrestricted blood flow.
Come test out the data yourself and see if chiropractic adjustments can improve thinking at one of The Joint Chiropractic's over 500 locations nationwide. Doctors are waiting to consult on how to improve your life. Walk-in patients are welcome and cost is affordable without insurance.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Austin, Tex.