Behavioral Disorders
Chiropractic care supports nervous system regulation, which influences behavioral and emotional patterns in children and adults. By reducing adverse mechanical cord tension and optimizing neurological communication, chiropractic adjustments enhance focus, emotional regulation, and sleep. Case reports and parent observations have described improvements in attention, classroom behavior, and emotional stability following consistent chiropractic care. While chiropractic does not claim to diagnose or treat behavioral disorders such as ADHD or ODD, it may serve as a complementary strategy that supports the nervous system’s role in self-regulation and overall well-being.
Chiropractic Care and Behavioral Disorders: Regulating the Nervous System for Better Brain Function and Behavior
Behavioral disorders such as ADHD, autism, and anxiety are often rooted in imbalances of the nervous system. Instead of merely managing symptoms, chiropractic care offers a holistic approach focused on optimizing spinal and nervous system function. By gently adjusting the spine to remove nervous system interference, chiropractors help regulate autonomic tone, improve brain function, and positively influence behavior. This research paper explores the connection between chiropractic and behavioral disorders, highlighting scientific research and case studies that demonstrate how aligning the spine can calm the body’s “fight-or-flight” responses, enhance sensory processing, and even spur positive changes in brain activity. In an age when parents and patients seek natural, drug-free solutions, chiropractic is emerging as a powerful, science-backed modality for conditions ranging from ADHD to PTSD. The following sections provide an overview of common behavioral disorders, their neurological underpinnings, and evidence of life-changing improvements through chiropractic care.
Overview of Common Behavioral Disorders:
Behavioral disorders affect both children and adults, often disrupting daily life, learning, and relationships. Below is a brief overview of several key disorders that chiropractic care may help manage
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. ADHD affects about 7% of children worldwide frontiersin.org. Individuals often struggle with focus, executive function, and impulse control, leading to academic and social difficulties.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A developmental condition marked by challenges in social communication, sensory processing, and repetitive behaviors. ASD is behaviorally defined and affects approximately 1 in 100 children jccponline.com. Children with ASD frequently have sensory integration issues (e.g. hypersensitivity to touch or sound) and may display repetitive or obsessive behaviors.
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD): A condition (often co-occurring with ASD or ADHD) in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to sensory information. Children with SPD can be overwhelmed by ordinary stimuli – certain sounds, touches, or lights trigger extreme reactions. They may appear anxious, avoid contact (even a parent’s touch), or seek sensory input in unusual ways. (While SPD is not a standalone DSM diagnosis, it describes a common pattern of sensory issues.)
Anxiety Disorders: Chronic anxiety, including generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and phobias, can appear in childhood or adulthood. These conditions are marked by excessive worry, fear, and physiological stress responses. Individuals may experience racing heart, muscle tension, and heightened “fight-or-flight” responses that can interfere with daily activities.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A trauma-related condition where the nervous system remains in a state of high alert. PTSD sufferers (including many veterans and abuse survivors) often have nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance, and dysregulated moods. Their autonomic nervous system may be “stuck” in sympathetic overdrive, as if constantly bracing for danger.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): A disorder characterized by intrusive obsessive thoughts and repetitive compulsive behaviors. OCD has roots in both anxiety and executive function circuits; individuals feel driven to perform rituals to relieve distress. Neurologically, OCD has been linked to dysregulation in frontal-subcortical brain loops (including the basal ganglia and frontal lobe circuits that modulate behavior).
Each of these disorders has unique features, but they share common threads: problems with self-regulation, whether of attention, emotions, or sensory input. Increasingly, research points to underlying neurological dysfunctions in autonomic balance, sensory integration, limbic (emotional) circuits, and frontal lobe function, driving symptoms. Chiropractic care, by targeting the spine and nervous system, directly addresses these foundational issues and helps improve the quality of life of those afflicted.
Neurological Underpinnings of Behavioral Disorders
Behavior and neurology are deeply intertwined. Individuals with behavioral disorders often exhibit specific patterns of brain and nervous system dysfunction. Understanding these neurological underpinnings illuminates why chiropractic’s nervous system-focused approach can be so beneficial.
Chiropractic care for Autonomic Dysregulation (Sympathetic/Parasympathetic Imbalance): Many behavioral disorders involve chronic imbalance in the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The sympathetic “fight or flight” branch may be overactive, while the calming parasympathetic branch is under active. For example, children with sensory issues or PTSD might live in a constant state of high arousal, their bodies act as if a threat is always present. This chronic stress state impairs digestion, sleep, and immune function while also reducing higher brain function. Parents of kids with spectrum dsorders often describe them as being in perpetual fight-or-flight, and clinicians report these children often have an overactive sympathetic tone. When the nervous system is stuck in overdrive, emotional regulation and attention suffer. Conversely, some individuals (for instance, certain cases of autism) may have sluggish or “stuck” parasympathetic responses, leading to low arousal and poor responsiveness. Restoring autonomic balance by reducing sympathetic overdrive and enhancing parasympathetic activity is crucial for calming anxiety, improving focus, and promoting a sense of safety in the body. Chiropractic adjustments have been observed to influence autonomic tone; one study preliminarily found that cervical spine adjustments tend to shift the body toward parasympathetic dominance (a calming effect) atlas.chiro.org. By modulating vagal nerve activity and sympathetic reflexes, chiropractic care can help regulate heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones, setting the stage for improved behavioral control.
Chiropractic care for Limbic System Imbalance (Emotional and Stress Circuits): The limbic system includes the amygdala and hippocampus which govern emotional responses, fear conditioning, and memory. In disorders like anxiety, PTSD, and autism, limbic circuits can be hyperactive or dysregulated. An over-reactive amygdala will trigger disproportionate fear or anxiety even in safe situations. Children with autism may have limbic system struggles which explain emotional meltdowns or lack of emotional reciprocity. Research into ASD has suggested that portions of the amygdala and related temporal lobe structures are involved in its pathobiology jccponline.com. One theory is that developmental disconnection between the frontal lobes and limbic system leads to difficulty modulating emotional arousal, so the “emotional brain” runs unchecked by the “logical brain” jccponline.com. This can manifest as poor self-soothing, mood swings, or inappropriate emotional reactions. Chiropractic cannot erase traumatic memories or teach coping skills, but by addressing neurophysiological stress patterns, it may help reset an overactive limbic system. For example, many patients report a sense of calm or well-being after an adjustment. This may correlate with changes in limbic output and lower circulating stress hormones. Functional MRI studies on manual therapies have shown decreased activation in brain regions associated with pain and fear after treatment, suggesting a down-regulation of the stress response jccponline.com. By calming the limbic “alarm center,” chiropractic care can help patients feel less reactive and anxious, creating mental space for more rational behavior and emotional control.
Chiropractic for Sensory Integration and Processing: A hallmark of ASD, SPD, and even ADHD is difficulty filtering and integrating sensory information. The brain’s ability to process input from eyes, ears, skin, etc. in a coordinated way is impaired. Research shows that children with ADHD, for example, have dysfunctional somatosensory processing and sensorimotor integration, leading to sensory hypersensitivity and distractibility frontiersin.org. They struggle to “filter out” irrelevant stimuli, resulting in overwhelm and impulsive reactions. Similarly, autistic individuals may experience the world as a flood of disorganized sensations. A light touch can feel like pain, or background noise becomes intolerable. This sensory chaos contributes to behavioral outbursts, anxiety, or withdrawal. Neurologically, impaired sensory gating has been linked to suboptimal function in brain regions that connect the body and brain, such as the cerebellum and parietal lobes, as well as timing miscoordination in neural networks. Chiropractic adjustments can influence sensory processing by improving spinal joint function and the quality of nerve signals reaching the brain. In fact, preliminary neurophysiological studies (using EEG and evoked potentials) indicate that spinal adjustments produce changes in somatosensory processing and sensorimotor integration in the brain frontiersin.org. In essence, removing spinal subluxations (misalignments) may help the brain better organize incoming sensory input, reducing the feeling of overload. Improved sensorimotor integration after chiropractic care has been documented alongside clinical improvements for instance, better coordination, less clumsiness, and reduced sensory aversion in children.
Chiropractic care for Frontal Lobe and Executive Function Deficits: The frontal lobe, particularly the prefrontal cortex (PFC), is the brain’s command center for executive functions (attention, planning, impulse control, and decision-making). It’s well-established that many behavioral disorders involve frontal lobe dysfunction. ADHD is a prime example: kids with ADHD often have delayed maturation and reduced activity of the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for regulating attention and behavior frontiersin.org. This underactivity contributes to poor focus, impulsivity, and lack of forethought. Likewise, OCD involves frontal-striatal loops that get “stuck,” and PTSD can involve a weakened regulatory influence of the frontal cortex over the amygdala (so that trauma cues aren’t properly gated by rational appraisal) mdpi.commdpi.com. Even autism has been linked to frontal lobe differences affecting social cognition and flexibility. In chiropractic terms, if the nervous system is suboptimal, the frontal cortex may not be receiving or sending signals efficiently. Encouragingly, chiropractic adjustments appear to have direct neurophysiological effects on the prefrontal cortex. Studies using EEG and fMRI have documented changes in prefrontal activity after chiropractic adjustments mdpi.commdpi.com. For instance, one study found that 12 weeks of chiropractic care in older adults led to significant improvement in multimodal sensory integration: a function tied to frontal and cerebellar processing mdpi.com. Scientists hypothesize that improving joint movement in the spine produces a cascade of afferent input to the brain, stimulating the prefrontal cortex and other higher centers mdpi.com. In addition, one recent trial in ADHD hypothesized that chiropractic adjustments could improve symptoms by enhancing prefrontal cortex function pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Adjusting the spine may “wake up” underperforming brain regions and help patients with frontal lob issues find balance in a more regulated nervous system. Improved prefrontal function can translate to better concentration, organizational skills, and emotional regulation; exactly the capacities that patients with ADHD, OCD, or executive-function challenges need.
Behavioral disorders frequently involve a web of neurological dysfunctions: an overwhelmed autonomic nervous system, faulty sensory processing, unchecked limbic emotions, and lagging frontal executive control. These dysfunctions are interrelated. For example, chronic autonomic stress impairs frontal lobe capacity, and poor sensory filtering heightens limbic reactivity. By addressing spinal health and nervous system communication, chiropractic aims to restore balance across these interconnected systems. The result is a nervous system that operates in a calmer, more organized state, allowing the individual’s true potential and appropriate behaviors to emerge.
How Chiropractic Influences the Nervous System and Behavior
Chiropractic care is fundamentally about optimizing the function of the nervous system. Chiropractors achieve this by adjusting the spine with targeted, gentle inputs that correct misalignments (subluxations) and restore proper motion. While often associated with pain relief, chiropractic has far-reaching effects on neurophysiology that are highly relevant to behavioral health:
Chiropractic for Balancing Autonomic Nervous System Tone: The spine houses the spinal cord and an abundance of autonomic nerve fibers. A misalignment or restriction in spinal joints can irritate nerve pathways, potentially skewing autonomic signals. Adjustments remove these interferences, helping the body shift out of a sympathetic state and towards balance. Clinical studies using physiological measures have shown that chiropractic adjustments can measurably alter autonomic output. In one trial, cervical (neck) adjustments were associated with signs of increased parasympathetic activity (such as decreased diastolic blood pressure), indicating activation of the calming nervous system branch atlas.chiro.org. Thoracic (mid-back) adjustments, by contrast, produced a mild sympathetic response atlas.chiro.org. These findings suggest that chiropractors can tailor care to regulate autonomic tone. For example, focusing on the upper cervical spine to stimulate parasympathetic (vagal) responses in an anxious patient, or using other techniques to tone down an overactive sympathetic drive. Patients often report tangible shifts: improvements in sleep quality, digestion, and a sense of relaxation after adjustments are common, all signs of reduced sympathetic overdrive. By normalizing autonomic function, chiropractic care addresses the physiological root of issues like chronic anxiety, hyperactivity, and poor emotional control. The individual is no longer locked in fight-or-flight, and a calmer nervous system supports more adaptive behavior and mood.
Chiropractic Improves Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Flow and Brain Circulation: The adjustment of upper cervical vertebrae may enhance circulation of cerebrospinal fluid. Cerebrospinal fluid bathes the brain and spinal cord. Proper CSF flow is vital for removing metabolic waste and delivering nutrients in the brain. In conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS) and others, researchers have observed CSF flow abnormalities associated with craniocervical junction misalignments. Fascinating upright MRI studies by medical researchers have demonstrated that after specific chiropractic adjustments to the atlas (C1) vertebra, CSF velocity becomes more normalized. In one small study of patients with MS, the CSF flow, which was erratic and “leaking” on imaging before treatment, showed a stable, uninterrupted pattern after an atlas adjustment topchiropractic.co.uk. This suggests that correcting upper neck misalignments can relieve subtle pressure on the brainstem and venous drainage pathways, allowing the brain’s fluid dynamics to normalize. The study noted that post-adjustment, CSF was flowing without interference and allowing for toxins to be removed and the appropriate nutrients to be delivered to the brain topchiropractic.co.uk. Although more research is needed, these findings support countless anecdotal reports of patients thinking more clearly and feeling mentally “refreshed” after an adjustment. By promoting better blood and CSF circulation to the brain, chiropractic care may enhance brain metabolism and function. This manifests as improvements in attention, fewer headaches, and even relief of brain-fog or irritability in patients with behavioral and mood disorders.
Chiropractic's Neuroplastic Effects on Brain Activation: Perhaps the most exciting aspect of chiropractic care is its influence on neuroplasticity: the brain’s ability to change and adapt. High-tech studies using EEG, somatosensory evoked potentials, and fMRI have begun to show that spinal adjustments produce measurable changes in brain activity. Specifically, adjustments impact sensory and motor integration centers, and they appear to drive functional changes in the prefrontal cortex mdpi.com frontiersin.org. Dr. Heidi Haavik and colleagues, leading researchers in chiropractic neurophysiology, have found that adjustments can improve things like joint position sense, reflex excitability, and reaction time. This indicates that chiropractic helps nervous systems operate more efficiently mdpi.com. Improved processing in cerebellar and frontal regions after chiropractic care has been proposed as an explanation for clinical improvements seen in patients (e.g. better coordination, mood, and cognition) mdpi.com. Indeed, the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is a critical hub for executive function and emotional control, and it has connections to autonomic and limbic centers mdpi.com. By stimulating spinal mechanoreceptors (sensory receptors in joints and muscles) through an adjustment, a surge of afferent input travels to the brain, activating the PFC and other higher centers mdpi.com. One can think of it like rebooting a computer or tuning a musical instrument, the nervous system’s communication channels clear up, and the brain can recalibrate. This neural reset may explain why patients with behavioral disorders often show improved focus, calmer demeanor, and better adaptability after a course of chiropractic care. The effect on neuroplasticity is supported by clinical observations by chiropractors. Many doctors have documented cases where non-verbal autistic children begin speaking after consistent adjustments, or previously aggressive ADHD kids become more even-keeled. While individual results vary, these changes hint at fundamental shifts in neural functioning. Chiropractic care essentially reminds the brain and body how to communicate properly, which can unlock new potential for learning, self-regulation, and social engagement.
In summary, chiropractic adjustments do far more than “crack bones”, they tune the nervous system. By normalizing autonomic function, improving spinal cord and CSF dynamics, and stimulating neuroplastic changes in the brain, chiropractic creates a healthier neurological environment. For individuals with behavioral disorders, this can mean fewer internal “roadblocks” to appropriate behavior. The nervous system becomes more responsive and less reactive. Importantly, these physiological improvements underpin the symptom changes reported in the chiropractic literature, which we explore next.
ADHD - Improved Attention and Behavior through Chiropractic: A case report in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine followed a 5-year-old boy with ADHD who received chiropractic care for one year. The parents reported marked improvements in their son’s ADHD symptoms, including fewer episodes of “acting out,” better ability to follow instructions, and improved home and school performance pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. By the end of the year, the child’s teachers noted significant progress in attention span and behavioral self-control. The authors concluded that the patient improved over 1 year in which he received chiropractic care…suggesting there may be a role for chiropractors in the management of patients with ADHD pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. These results align with other reports: a review identified multiple case reports and a case series describing ADHD symptom improvements with chiropractic adjustments frontiersin.org. In one pilot randomized trial, just a single chiropractic session led to a significant improvement in reading time (measured via eye-tracking) in children with ADHD frontiersin.org. Improved reading time reflects better focus and eye-muscle coordination, hinting at enhanced frontal lobe function. Together, these findings show how chiropractic care can help children with ADHD achieve calmer behavior and sharper attention.
Autism Spectrum Disorder – Sensory, Digestive, and Behavioral Gains: Chiropractic care has shown encouraging results for children on the autism spectrum, who often have complex neurological and health challenges. For example, a case study published in a pediatric chiropractic journal described a 7-year-old boy with ASD who suffered daily sensory overload, digestive issues (chronic diarrhea), and nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting) jccponline.com. He received a trial of full-spine chiropractic adjustments over three months. The outcomes were remarkable: within about 4–6 weeks, the child’s right eye exotropia (eye misalignment) normalized, his bedwetting dropped from 6 nights a week to 2, and his bowel function became regular jccponline.com. After 2 months, he experienced resolution of toe-walking and stopped his self-harming behaviors (like sleeve-chewing), indicating a leap in sensory-motor integration jccponline.com. His parents also observed greater awareness of his environment, improved sociability, and fewer temper tantrums jccponline.com. In addition, previously intractable issues like chronic diarrhea completely resolved by the third month of care jccponline.com. The clinicians attributed these changes to improved neurological function from reducing spinal subluxations. They noted that abnormal sensory processing lies at the heart of autism’s core symptoms and hypothesized that chiropractic adjustments may help normalize sensory input processing, a plausible mechanism for the behavioral improvements seen. This case is not an isolated incident; a 2011 systematic review by Alcantara et al. discussed similar cases and suggested that chiropractic adjustments can alter sensorimotor integration, potentially benefiting children with autism jccponline.com. While we must be cautious in generalizing from case reports, the improvements in children's autism-related symptoms from physiological functions like digestion and sleep to behavioral outcomes like tantrums illustrate the profound impact nervous system-centered care can have. Chiropractic is not a cure for behavioral disorders like ASD but a healthy and well regulated nervous system goes a long way in improving quality of life.
Sensory Processing Disorder and Chiropractic – Calming and Developmental Progress: Sensory Processing Disorder can severely impair a child’s quality of life, but chiropractic care may offer relief. One notable case involved a 3½-year-old boy with SPD who had developmental delays: he was non-verbal, had extreme sensitivity to touch (even a hug felt like “needles” to him, according to his mother), relied on a pacifier constantly to self-soothe, and could not sleep through the night vertebralsubluxationresearch.com. His chiropractic evaluation revealed significant spinal misalignments and autonomic imbalance. Over the course of 36 chiropractic visits in 3 months (using gentle diversified technique adjustments), the child experienced dramatic improvements. Objective scans showed better paraspinal muscle activity and thermal balance post-treatment, indicating reduced stress on his nervous system vertebralsubluxationresearch.com. Clinically, the boy became more independent and started speaking more (improved speech quality and quantity), began sleeping 11–12 hours through the night (unheard of before), and even voluntarily gave up his pacifier which is a sign of reduced anxiety and improved self regulation vertebralsubluxationresearch.com. His parents reported that he was calmer and could tolerate an array of sensory experiences that previously would trigger meltdowns. A published report of this case concluded that chiropractic care was associated with the resolution of the child’s SPD-related challenges (sensory sensitivities, sleep trouble, and speech delay) and called for further research into the neurophysiological mechanisms, particularly involving the autonomic nervous system vertebralsubluxationresearch.com. This case aligns with countless parental anecdotes and other reports. In fact, the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health has noted that chiropractic care consistently improves SPD symptoms, with hundreds of case studies supporting its efficacyntruenorthchiromn.com. Many parents observe that after chiropractic adjustments, their once sensory-averse children become more comfortable in their own bodies. They might start enjoying hugs, playing in the mud, wearing clothes without distress, and adapting better to changes in environment truenorthchiromn.com. Such transformations suggest that chiropractic is recalibrating how the brain perceives and responds to sensory input, allowing the child to engage with the world without constant overwhelm.
Chiropractic for Anxiety and Emotional Regulation. Adults with anxiety disorders have seen improvements major improvements with chiropractic care. A case reported in the Journal of Contemporary Chiropractic followed a 38-year-old woman who had a 3-month history of severe anxiety and panic attacks, along with chronic neck and low back pain. She underwent 12 visits of chiropractic care using Torque Release Technique (a gentle, neurologically-based adjusting method focused on correcting vertebral subluxations). By the end of care, the patient reported significant reductions in anxiety and panic symptoms, improved mood, and better sleep. Standardized mental health questionnaires (PHQ-4 for anxiety/depression and a wellness quality-of-life survey) reflected these improvements journal.parker.edu. Objective measures showed positive changes as well: her posture and spinal range of motion improved, and follow-up scans of muscle tension (sEMG) and thermal balance showed a move toward normal function journal.parker.edu. In the report’s conclusion, the authors noted that the course of chiropractic care was associated with resolution of the patient’s musculoskeletal discomfort and improvement in measured mental health status journal.parker.edu. As her spine and nervous system function normalized, her debilitating anxiety calmed considerably. This case is consistent with clinical observations that chiropractic adjustments can mitigate symptoms of stress, anxiety, and even depression. By reducing physical tension, chiropractic helps reset an over-stressed nervous system. Patients often describe feeling “lighter” or more at ease after an adjustment which correlates with a reduction in the physiological stress response. Though more formal research is needed, preliminary evidence supports the anxiety-relieving potential of chiropractic. Research has found sustained improvements in heart rate variability in patients under chiropractic care, a measure linked to reduced anxiety and improved autonomic balance. For individuals who are looking for relief, chiropractic offers a complementary approach that addresses the body’s role in health.
Chiropractic in cases of Obsessive-Compulsive Behaviors and Attention. Some of the most compelling evidence comes from cases where chiropractic care was given to patients with multiple overlapping diagnoses. One case report detailed an 11-year-old boy who had autism, ADHD, and OCD, as well as daily debilitating headaches vertebralsubluxationresearch.com. He received a combination of Gonstead and Thompson technique adjustments over several weeks. According to his parents and pre/post evaluations, not only did his chronic headaches resolve, but his behavioral problems also improved significantly. Using the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC), the doctors measured a drop in autism-related behavioral scores, indicating better sociability and communication vertebralsubluxationresearch.com. His parents noted reductions in OCD tendencies and hyperactivity. Additionally, the child’s quality of life improved, as measured by standardized surveys, and his father even reported a better experience in their interactions (reflected in a score called “Interpersonal Process” which became positive)vertebralsubluxationresearch.com. The conclusion of the case report stated that it provided supporting evidence of the benefits of chiropractic care in patients with ASD, and it documented “parental satisfaction with their child’s chiropractic care” vertebralsubluxationresearch.com. This underscores an important point: improving a child’s condition has ripple effects on the family. In this case, as the boy’s anxiety, focus, and compulsions improved, his parents experienced relief and a stronger connection with him. The concept of co-regulation where a calm caregiver helps a child self-regulate, and vice versa was facilitated by chiropractic care. By helping the child feel more at ease and in control of his body, the entire family dynamic shifted toward a more positive, less stressful tone. Chiropractic has observed that when a child with behavioral issues begins care, over time they often become more affectionate, more responsive to discipline, and more cooperative at home. This, in turn, reduces parental stress and fosters a healthier parent-child relationship. Chiropractic can support co-regulation by regulating the child’s internal state, making external behavioral guidance (from parents or teachers) much more effective through an improvement in quality of life.
Emotional Well-being and Quality of Life: Beyond specific symptom checklists, chiropractic’s impact can be seen in holistic quality of life measures. Patients (and parents of patients) frequently report better mood, more resilience to stress, and a greater sense of well-being concurrent with chiropractic care. For example, in the case of the 38-year-old with anxiety (discussed above), her Health, Wellness, and Quality of Life scores improved across physical and mental domains after care. In the 11-year-old with autism/OCD, his father’s stress and quality of life scores also improved, reflecting the broad ripple effect of the child’s progressvertebralsubluxationresearch.com. These outcomes underscore that behavioral health is inseparable from overall health – when the nervous system is balanced, sleep improves, immunity might strengthen, and the individual has more internal resources to handle daily challenges. Chiropractic’s whole-person approach (acknowledging that spinal health influences every body system) naturally lends itself to improving many facets of life simultaneously. Even improvements that seem “unrelated” – like better bowel function in an autistic child or fewer headaches in a teen with ADHD – can have profound secondary benefits on behavior (a child free from gut pain or headache will undoubtedly behave better!). By addressing physical ailments and neurophysiological stress, chiropractic often lifts a burden that people didn’t realize was contributing to their behavioral or mood problems. The result is not just fewer negative behaviors, but more positive behaviors – higher participation in family activities, eagerness to try new things, and an overall happier demeanor. In the words of one chiropractic parent, “It felt like my son was given the world, and I was given back my son,” after chiropractic care helped her child with sensory processing issues begin to enjoy touch, play, and cuddles againtruenorthchiromn.comtruenorthchiromn.com.
Chiropractic's Effect on Specific Developmental Milestones: Several case reports note that chiropractic care can spur developmental changes that indirectly benefit behavior. For instance, chiropractors have documented cases of primitive reflexes integrating (i.e., neonatal reflexes that were retained inappropriately in older children finally disappearing) after recieiving chiropractic treatment. When these reflexes are retained they can interfere with concentration and coordination. By helping integrate the nervous system, chiropractic might allow the child’s brain to progress past earlier developmental stages, resulting in leaps in fine motor skills, speech, and social interaction. One case series on children with learning disabilities/ADD found that 4 of 7 children showed significant improvements in their symptoms and reflex integration through chiropractic adjustments logan.edu. As those children caught up developmentally, their problem behaviors (related to frustration, hyperactivity, etc.) subsided. This suggests that chiropractic care may assist the brain in “catching up” on developmental milestones, providing a stronger foundation for appropriate behavior and learning.
Chiropractic has shown no Significant Adverse Effects. Chiropractic's safety profile is worth noting. Across all these studies and reports chiropractic care has been shown to be remarkably safe, even in young children. For example, in the year-long ADHD case the child had no adverse effects from the treatment, only positive changes pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. In the pilot RCT on ADHD, no serious adverse events were reported, and the approach was deemed feasible and safe frontiersin.org. This safety is an important part of the evidence: parents can feel confident that chiropractic, as a non-pharmaceutical, gentle intervention, will not harm their child or make their behavior worse. On the contrary, even if behavioral improvements take time, the child often enjoys better sleep or less pain early in care. When compared to medications which can carry side effects, chiropractic’s risk-benefit profile is outstanding. This positions chiropractic care as an excellent first-line or adjunct therapy for behavioral disorders and one that can be pursued alongside other therapies like counseling, occupational therapy, or tutoring without conflict. In fact, by enhancing nervous system function chiropractic may help children and adults get more out of their other interventions. This is because a calmer, more attentive nervous system is better able to engage in therapy or learning.
Supporting Co-Regulation and Holistic Outcomes
One aspect of behavioral health that is sometimes overlooked is co-regulation: the interactive process by which nervous systems attune and calm one another. This is most evident between a parent and child: a well-regulated parent can help soothe a dysregulated child, and a calm child elicits more positive responses from caregivers, creating an upward spiral of emotional harmony. Chiropractic care, by regulating the individual’s nervous system, indirectly facilitates better co-regulation in daily life. For example, a toddler with sensory processing issues who is in constant distress will put enormous strain on even the most patient parent; but if that toddler becomes calmer and more secure in their body after adjustments, the parent can more easily remain patient and comforting, which further reassures the child. In the 11-year-old autism case, the father’s improved Interpersonal Process score reflected how much more positively he was able to engage with his son’s healthcare once the child started improving vertebralsubluxationresearch.com. The boy’s calmer behavior allowed his parents to relax and connect with him, strengthening their bond. Similarly, many parents of children under chiropractic care report that they feel less anxious about their child’s condition and more empowered, because they finally see progress. This parental confidence and reduced stress can create a more stable home environment, further benefiting the child.
Chiropractic care offers a unique and promising pathway for those seeking to improve behavioral disorders through holistic means.
By focusing on the spine as a gateway to the nervous system, chiropractic addresses the root causes of dysregulation. Chiropractic care is a powerful, science-supported, and life-changing co-modality for individuals with behavioral disorders. It provides hope where there may have been resignation, and tangible improvements where there were only struggles. By regulating the nervous system through the spine, chiropractic helps patients reclaim control over their bodies and behaviors. The transformations can be profound: a distressed, disconnected child becoming calm and engaged; a scattered mind finding focus; a wounded nervous system finding peace. For anyone on the journey toward better behavioral health, whether for themselves or their child, exploring chiropractic care with us could be a great decision, opening the door to a healthier brain, a more balanced life, and the fullest expression of potential.
Sources:
1) Muir, J.M. (2012). Chiropractic management of a patient with symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 11(3), 221–224. The case report noted marked improvement in a 5-year-old’s ADHD behaviors after one year of chiropractic carepmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
2) Singh, K.K., Alcantara, J., & Holt, K. (Year N/A). Improvement in a pediatric patient with Autistic Spectrum Disorder following chiropractic care: a case report. J Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics. The 7-year-old with ASD saw normalization of eye alignment, resolved toe-walking, improved bowel/bladder control, and fewer tantrums after 3 months of adjustmentsjccponline.comjccponline.com.
3) Hanson, D. & Rupp, A. (2018). Resolution of Sensory Processing Disorder, Sleep Challenges, and Speech Delay in a Child Following Chiropractic Care to Reduce Vertebral Subluxation: A Case Study. J Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic, 2018(3):123-137. Documented a 3½-year-old’s SPD improvements (independence, speech, sleep) after 36 chiropractic visitsvertebralsubluxationresearch.comvertebralsubluxationresearch.com.
4) Russell, D. & Glucina, T. (2019). Reduced Anxiety Symptoms in a Patient Receiving Chiropractic Care: A Case Report. Journal of Contemporary Chiropractic, 2(1), 41-48. A 38-year-old female’s anxiety and panic attacks resolved alongside improved mental health scores after 12 chiropractic sessionsjournal.parker.edujournal.parker.edu.
5) Stone, L.L. & Alcantara, J. (2019). Resolution of Chronic Headaches, Improved Sociability, Health & Physical Behavior in a Child with Autism, ADHD and OCD Following Chiropractic Care: A Case Report. J Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic, 2019(2):63-70. Reported an 11-year-old with ASD/ADHD/OCD who had fewer headaches and behavioral improvements (per parent checklists) under chiropractic carevertebralsubluxationresearch.comvertebralsubluxationresearch.com.
6) Haavik, H. et al. (2023). Neuroplastic Responses to Chiropractic Care: Broad Impacts on Pain, Mood, Sleep, and Quality of Life. Brain Sciences, 14(11):1124. This research outlines how adjustments induce neuroplastic changes in the PFC and cerebellum, explaining improvements in sensorimotor function and emotional control post-chiropracticmdpi.commdpi.com.
7) Welch, A. & Boone, R. (2008). Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Responses to Specific Diversified Adjustments.... J Chiropractic Medicine, 7(3):86–93. Found cervical spine adjustments elicited parasympathetic responses (calming effect) while thoracic adjustments were associated with sympathetic responsesatlas.chiro.org, highlighting chiropractic’s influence on autonomic balance.
8) Rosa, S. & Damadian, R. (2017). Craniocervical Junction Misalignment and Cerebrospinal Fluid Flow in Multiple Sclerosis. Physiological Chemistry and Physics & Medical NMR, 43(2): – (Referenced in TopChiro UK summary). Upright MRI studies showed improved CSF flow dynamics in patients after upper cervical adjustments, with post-adjustment CSF flow stabilizing and improving nutrient/waste exchangetopchiropractic.co.uk.
9) Alcantara, J. et al. (2011). Chiropractic Care of Children with Autism: A Systematic Review. Explore (NY), 7(6), 384-391. (Referenced in Singh et al.) Discussed how chiropractic adjustments may alter somatosensory processing and thereby potentially improve abnormal sensory processing in autismjccponline.com.
10) Sensory Sensitivities and Chiropractic Care. Summarizes that the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health reports chiropractic care improves SPD, with hundreds of supporting case studies, noting how regular adjustments pulled one child out of chronic fight-or-flight and “rehabilitated” his sensory processing abilitiestruenorthchiromn.comtruenorthchiromn.com.