When most people think of chiropractic care, they think of pain relief. And while that’s a benefit, it’s really just the tip of the iceberg.
A groundbreaking study published in Brain Sciences in November 2024 is helping to shift that limited view—proving that the effects of chiropractic care extend far beyond the spine. This study, led by renowned neuroscientist Dr. Heidi Haavik and her team, showed that chiropractic adjustments actually trigger measurable neuroplastic changes in the brain—improving not just physical symptoms like back pain, but also mood, sleep, energy, and quality of life.
Let’s explore why this study matters, how it reinforces the foundation of the 100+Living Blueprint, and what it means for your long-term health and brain function.
What Did the Study Measure?
The researchers wanted to uncover how chiropractic care affects brain function, not just physical symptoms. To do this, they used:
- Electroencephalography (EEG): to measure changes in brain wave patterns.
- Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SEPs): to evaluate the nervous system’s responsiveness.
- Fitbit data: to track sleep patterns.
- PROMIS-29 health assessments: to evaluate quality of life, pain, anxiety, fatigue, and depression.
They enrolled 76 people with chronic low back pain. Half were placed in a chiropractic care group; the other half served as a control group. All tests were done before treatment, immediately after the first session, and again after four weeks of care.
The Results: Real Brain Changes, Real Life Impact
The findings were remarkable:
1. Increased Alpha and Theta Brain Activity
These two types of brain waves are associated with mental relaxation, creativity, emotional regulation, and improved cognitive processing. After chiropractic care, participants showed a significant increase in Alpha and Theta activity—especially in the Default Mode Network (DMN), the brain’s central processing hub during rest and introspection.
2. Decreased Delta Power and SEP Activity
Delta waves are often linked to deep sleep—but excessive Delta activity during wakefulness is a marker of cognitive fatigue, pain processing, and inflammation. Chiropractic participants saw a decrease in Delta power, which correlates with better mental clarity and energy.
They also had a decrease in N30 SEP amplitude, indicating reduced sensory overload and improved brain-body integration.
3. Better Sleep
Fitbit data revealed measurable improvement in light sleep stages, essential for recovery and memory processing. Sleep quality is foundational to health—and chiropractic care made a direct impact.
4. Improved Mood and Quality of Life
Patients reported significant reductions in:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Pain
And they also reported improvements in focus, energy, and general quality of life after just four weeks.
Why This Matters for Longevity: The Neuroplasticity Link
This isn’t just about pain relief—it’s about neuroplasticity, your brain’s ability to rewire, adapt, and optimize itself. Healthy neuroplasticity is linked to:
- Cognitive longevity
- Emotional stability
- Faster healing
- Better memory
- Decreased neurodegeneration
When the spine is out of alignment, it disrupts input to the brainstem and prefrontal cortex. That’s not speculation—that’s been shown in numerous studies, including research using functional MRI, SEPs, and EEG like the one discussed here.
At the 100+Living Health Centers, this understanding is central to our approach. We aren’t just correcting posture—we’re restoring brain-body communication so that neuroplastic healing can happen at the deepest level.
The 100+Living Blueprint: Built on Brain-Based Healing
We designed the 100+Living Blueprint to be a scientifically grounded strategy for longevity—and chiropractic care, particularly the Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP) model, is a central pillar.
Why?
Because research shows that when the spine is corrected—especially with precision, over time—it relieves the chronic stress input that’s constantly bombarding your brain. This opens the door for your prefrontal cortex and DMN to do what they were designed to do: regulate pain, mood, and hormonal balance.
We see this in our patients all the time.
Patient Story: Pete’s Transformation
Pete came to us as a skeptical 52-year-old former firefighter. He wasn’t sleeping well. His mood had dipped. He was waking up with back pain and crashing by 2 p.m. every day. He told me, “I feel like I’m burning the candle from both ends, but I’m not even holding the matches anymore.” Leave it to a firefighter to use an analogy that reflected fire. . . the irony was not lost.
After just a few weeks of structural correction using the 100+Living Blueprint, everything started to shift. His Garmin tracked deeper sleep. His mental clarity came back. He started laughing more. One day he said, “Doc, I didn’t realize how foggy I was—until the fog lifted.”
This is what happens when you remove interference from the nervous system. The brain recalibrates. The body heals. And quality of life soars.
Why We’re Different: CBP and Advanced Brain-Based Correction
At the 100+Living Health Centers, we are one of only two Advanced Certified Chiropractic BioPhysics offices in all of Western Canada.
Our patients receive:
- Structural correction based on X-ray-guided protocols
- Customized mirror-image exercises
- 3D traction and postural rehab
- Brain-centered care planning based on your unique neurological state
This isn’t generic spinal manipulation—it’s neurologically informed, research-backed correction that helps your body and brain function at the highest level.
Closing Thoughts: Science Is Catching Up to What We See Every Day
Thanks to researchers like Dr. Heidi Haavik, the world is starting to see what chiropractors have known for decades: that spinal health is deeply connected to brain health, mental clarity, and overall well-being.
If you’re chasing more than just relief—if you’re after longevity, vitality, and thriving into your 80s, 90s, and beyond—then it’s time to stop thinking of chiropractic care as optional.
It may be one of the most important investments in your long-term health you can make.
To learn more about how the 100+Living Blueprint could transform your life, visit us at 100+ Living Health Centers.
Here’s to a sharper brain, a stronger body, and a longer life.
