Understanding brain connectivity
Your brain works through a vast network of regions that constantly communicate with one another. This interaction — known as functional connectivity — underpins everything from movement and balance to focus, mood, and coordination. Recent studies led by Dr Heidi Haavik have examined how chiropractic spinal adjustments may influence these networks, helping to explain why patients often report clearer movement, focus, and body awareness after care.
What the research explored
Haavik and colleagues used advanced EEG (electroencephalography) and fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) techniques to measure brain activity before and after chiropractic adjustments. The goal was to identify whether restoring normal spinal joint motion alters communication between key brain regions such as the sensorimotor cortex, cerebellum, and prefrontal cortex.
Key findings
- Functional connectivity between brain areas involved in sensorimotor control increased after chiropractic adjustments.
- Participants showed enhanced synchronisation within the default mode network (DMN) — a system linked to focus, rest, and self-regulation.
- EEG data revealed more efficient cortical communication patterns, suggesting the brain was working “in tune” following adjustments.
- These neural changes may help explain improvements in coordination, posture, and overall cognitive clarity reported after care.
Clinical implications
Chiropractic care is increasingly recognised as a way to optimise brain–body communication. By restoring spinal motion, adjustments appear to enhance how different brain regions share sensory and motor information. This supports not only movement control but also broader aspects of wellbeing linked to neural efficiency.
Our approach
- Assess posture, balance, and reaction speed as indicators of brain connectivity and sensorimotor integration.
- Apply gentle, specific adjustments to normalise spinal feedback to the brain.
- Encourage supportive habits — movement, breathing, and rest — that reinforce healthy neural network activity.
Read the study: Changes in Resting-State EEG Functional Connectivity Following Chiropractic Spinal Adjustment
This summary is intended for educational purposes only. Chiropractic adjustments do not diagnose or treat neurological conditions, but may influence brain communication pathways involved in movement and coordination.
