Exploring the Link Between Chiropractic Care and Physical Resilience : A Case Study

As chiropractic research expands beyond musculoskeletal issues, a new question arises: Can chiropractic care enhance physical resilience? If adjusting the spine helps the nervous system heal and regulate itself better, could this lead to improved resilience in our bodies? And what does that mean for patients of all ages?

What is Physical Resilience?

We often associate resilience with aging and frailty, but it's more than that. Resilience refers to our ability to adapt or bounce back—whether physically, mentally, or emotionally. Research shows that people with higher physical resilience recover more quickly and fully from health issues compared to those with lower resilience.

This is an important consideration for chiropractic care because the ability to adapt to our environment is a key aspect of self-healing and self-regulation, which is at the heart of chiropractic philosophy.

Young woman practicing yoga, Paripurna Navasana ex

A Case Study on Resilience and Chiropractic Care

A recent case study featured in the Asia-Pacific Chiropractic Journal looked at a 46-year-old woman who sought chiropractic care for constant pelvic pain following a car accident a year earlier. She was new to chiropractic and struggled with daily activities, such as walking for more than 10-12 minutes, lying down, or standing for more than five minutes, all of which worsened her pain. She also had shoulder and neck pain. The patient’s medical history was complex, including a pelvic ring fracture, L1 vertebra fracture, past trauma, surgeries, and various health issues like chronic fatigue, anxiety, and digestive problems. All these factors could impact her physical, mental, and emotional resilience.

Chiropractic Assessment and Treatment

Upon visiting the chiropractic clinic, the patient underwent a thorough examination, revealing several musculoskeletal and neurological issues, such as uneven pelvic alignment, neck misalignment, and balance problems. Chiropractic analysis identified subluxations in her upper cervical, lower back, and mid-thoracic areas.

She began a course of chiropractic care with two visits per week for twelve weeks. After this period, she reported significant improvements: easier movement, better sleep, more energy, and reduced digestive issues. Objective measures also showed improvements in her neurospinal function and autonomic tone, indicating enhanced resilience.

A man is assisting a woman with a leg stretch while she lies on a treatment table in a well-lit therapy room.

The Impact of Chiropractic on Resilience

The patient described her experience with chiropractic care as "absolutely life-changing," noting that she hadn’t felt this good in years. By addressing her subluxations, chiropractic care helped her nervous system function more efficiently, leading to better self-regulation, healing, and overall quality of life.

This case highlights the potential of chiropractic care to improve physical resilience, especially in individuals who have experienced significant stress or trauma. As more research emerges, we hope to see further exploration into how chiropractic care can help people move from a state of low resilience to one of greater adaptability and well-being.

**Please note that this article is based on a case study of one patient and is not indicative of standard outcomes. Please consult a chiropractor or trusted health professional for individual advice.

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References:

https://agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jgs.15233

https://www.jfsf.eu/articles/v07i01_029.pdf

https://spinalresearch.com.au/sleep-mood-and-resilience-new-case-report-asks-can-chiropractic-help/

https://www.apcj.net/site_files/4725/upload_files/SteinbergResilience(1)(1).pdf?dl=1