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Trauma

Trauma is stored not just in the mind but in the body’s tension patterns, often affecting the spine and nervous system. Chiropractic can help release stored stress, regulate the vagus nerve, and re-establish safety signals in the body. Many trauma survivors report emotional breakthroughs and greater calm after care.

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Chiropractic Care and Psychological Trauma: Healing the Body to Heal the Mind
Introduction

Psychological trauma leaves more than emotional scars – it can lodge itself within the body. In the words of renowned trauma expert Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, “Traumatized people chronically feel unsafe inside their bodies: The past is alive in the form of gnawing interior discomfort” besselvanderkolk.com. Survivors of trauma often endure a state of hypervigilance where their nervous system is locked in fight-or-flight. This chronic stress state manifests physically as muscle tension, pain, and other health issues. Modern research confirms that adverse experiences and chronic stress have tangible physiological impacts: people with multiple childhood traumas (ACEs) are at significantly higher risk of long-term health problems – including anxiety, depression, and chronic pain pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. In essence, the body “keeps the score” of trauma, carrying unresolved stress within muscles, fascia, and the nervous system.

Chiropractic care offers a unique, body-centered approach to trauma by focusing on the spine and nervous system. Chiropractic is founded on the principle that misalignments in the spine (vertebral subluxations) can disrupt nervous system function and overall health. By gently correcting these subluxations with targeted spinal adjustments, chiropractors aim to restore balance in the body’s communication networks. This article explores how trauma is often “stored” in the body and how chiropractic adjustments can help the nervous system process and release that trauma. There is an enormous amount of scientific evidence – including case studies, clinical trials, and reviews – showing positive outcomes of chiropractic care on stress, mood, and trauma-related conditions. Chiropractic  care is  a powerful tool in healing from psychological trauma.

Trauma’s Toll on the Body and Nervous System

Trauma isn’t just “in the head” – it has profound effects on the body’s physiology. When someone experiences a traumatic event or chronic stress, their sympathetic nervous system (the fight-or-flight branch) can become overactive. The body stays on constant alert, as if danger is ever-present. This leads to hyperarousal symptoms: elevated stress hormones, poor sleep, heightened startle reflexes, and pervasive muscle tension ncbi.nlm.nih.govkkjpsych.com. Over time, untreated trauma can contribute to a host of health issues, from gastrointestinal problems to cardiovascular disease, and especially chronic musculoskeletal pain pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. In fact, studies find a strong link between trauma and chronic pain disorders. For example, up to 50–65% of patients with chronic pain also suffer from depression or PTSD, suggesting a bidirectional relationship between unprocessed trauma and persistent pain rcastoragev2.blob.core.windows.net.Why does trauma often result in physical pain? One explanation is that the emotional pain triggers a continuous stress response that never fully “shuts off.” Muscles remain tense and braced as if expecting impact; posture may become guarded or collapsed. This chronic tension can lead to inflammation, nerve irritation, and structural imbalances. Dr. van der Kolk notes that “their bodies are constantly bombarded by visceral warning signs” after trauma besselvanderkolk.com. In essence, the nervous system gets “stuck” in survival mode, and the body literally holds that story in its tissues. Shoulders may tighten, the neck and back may ache – these are the body’s wordless expressions of unresolved trauma.

Crucially, unresolved trauma can disrupt the body’s ability to self-regulate. Trauma survivors often have an overactive amygdala (fear center) and an underactive prefrontal cortex (rational calming center), making it hard to switch off the alarm signals besselvanderkolk.commdpi.com. The result is not only emotional suffering but also physical “dis-ease.” As one trauma-informed chiropractic commentary explains, exposure to traumatic stress without recovery can lead to long-term changes in the autonomic nervous system and even the immune and endocrine systems rcastoragev2.blob.core.windows.net. It’s no wonder that trauma survivors frequently report headaches, back pain, fatigue, and other somatic complaints.

The Body Keeps the Score – and We Can Address It

The good news is that because trauma is held in the body, working through the body can help release it. This idea is increasingly supported by trauma specialists. Van der Kolk’s seminal book The Body Keeps the Score advocates for somatic therapies – like yoga, movement, and bodywork – as crucial healing tools. He found, for instance, that yoga practice yielded better results for PTSD than any medication studied so far, by helping patients “increase their inner bodily sense of control, safety, and flexibility”besselvanderkolk.com. In other words, restoring a sense of safety within the body is key to processing trauma. Chiropractic care operates in this same realm: it is a hands-on, body-centered therapy that can directly influence the nervous system. By correcting spinal dysfunctions and relieving built-up tension, chiropractic aims to help the body shift out of emergency mode into a state of healing.

Subluxation: Stress, Trauma, and Spinal Misalignment

Chiropractors have long recognized stress and trauma as contributors to spinal subluxations. A vertebral subluxation is a slight misalignment or restricted movement of a spinal vertebra that is believed to disturb nerve communication. Notably, vertebral subluxation is officially recognized by the WHO as a biomechanical spinal lesion (ICD-10 code M99.1) characterized by dysfunctional motion, tenderness, and tight musculature around the joint mdpi.com. How do emotional traumas tie into this? According to the chiropractic model, the “Three T’s” – Trauma, Toxins, and Thoughts – are primary causes of nervous system stress. In this context, Trauma can be either physical (e.g. an accident) or emotional, and Negative Thoughts include chronic mental stress. All three overload the nervous system, pushing it toward sympathetic dominance (fight-or-flight).When someone is stuck in fight-or-flight due to trauma, their muscles and connective tissues maintain a defensive tension. Over time, this chronic tension can pull the spinal vertebrae out of optimal alignment or cause certain segments to lock up (a fixation). For example, a person with PTSD might unconsciously hunch their shoulders and guard their chest – a protective posture that, if prolonged, could lead to fixations in the upper back and neck. Chiropractors describe this progression succinctly: stress (physical or emotional) leads to muscular tension, which leads to spinal misalignments and subluxations, which then cause nerve interference. In essence, the cascading effects of trauma-induced tension can create observable changes in the spine.

Once a subluxation forms, it may further perpetuate the cycle of stress. The misaligned or fixated vertebra can irritate nearby nerves or strain the spinal cord, sending distorted signals through the central nervous system. Think of subluxations like static on a telephone line between the brain and body. This nerve interference can keep the body stuck in a state of disharmony or “dis-ease,” often corresponding with continued sympathetic overdrive. For instance, a subluxation in the upper cervical spine might interfere with the vagus nerve’s ability to induce calm, or a subluxation in the mid-back could contribute to shallow breathing patterns. Chiropractors view these subluxations as both consequences of stress and contributors to ongoing dysfunction, creating a feedback loop.

Trauma-Informed Chiropractic Care

Given the high prevalence of trauma in the general population, there is a movement within the chiropractic field to adopt trauma-informed care principles. This means recognizing that a patient with chronic pain or tension might have a history of trauma, and adjusting care accordingly. A 2023 editorial in Chiropractic & Manual Therapies urges chiropractors to increase awareness of how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) impact health and to incorporate trauma-informed practices pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Importantly, this includes creating a sense of safety during treatments – explaining procedures, asking permission before touch, and avoiding any language or actions that could re-trigger a trauma survivor pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. By doing so, chiropractors can ensure the patient’s nervous system stays relaxed and receptive during an adjustment, rather than guarded. This compassionate approach maximizes the positive impact of the care for those with trauma histories. In short, chiropractors are learning to “meet patients where they are,” appreciating that the mind and body are deeply interconnected in trauma recovery.

How Chiropractic Adjustments Calm the Nervous System

One of the remarkable aspects of chiropractic care is its direct influence on the autonomic nervous system – the balance between fight-or-flight (sympathetic) and rest-and-recover (parasympathetic) activity. Adjusting subluxations appears to “reboot” or normalize autonomic tone, helping patients shift from a stressed state toward a calmer state. This isn’t just anecdotal; a growing body of research using physiological measurements supports these effects.

Activating “Rest and Digest”

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a useful indicator of autonomic balance. Higher HRV generally reflects greater parasympathetic (relaxation) activity and resilience to stress. In a multicenter clinical study, researchers measured HRV in patients before and after a single chiropractic adjustment. The results were telling: after the adjustment, patients had a significant drop in heart rate and a significant increase in HRV measures, along with reduced pain levels pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. In particular, the high-frequency component of HRV (linked to parasympathetic vagal tone) increased markedly post-adjustment pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. The authors concluded that chiropractic care can produce objective changes in autonomic nervous system function, essentially nudging the body out of fight-or-flight and into a more balanced state pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.Another fascinating study from Japan examined brain activity and stress hormones pre- and post-adjustment. Using PET scans and saliva tests, Ogura et al. found that after a cervical spine adjustment, regions of the prefrontal cortex (involved in calm and executive control) showed increased metabolic activity, while activity in the cerebellar vermis (involved in stress responses) decreased pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Patients self-reported feeling less stress and pain after the session, which correlated with biological measures: they had lower salivary amylase levels (a marker of stress) and reduced muscle tone in the neck pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

The study’s conclusion was striking: chiropractic spinal manipulation affects brain function in ways related to sympathetic relaxation and pain reduction pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. In plain terms, the adjustment helped turn down the dial on the fight-or-flight response in the brain. This aligns perfectly with what many chiropractic patients report – a sense of relaxation or release following an adjustment.Chiropractic adjustments may also impact the hormonal aspect of the stress response. Cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, tends to run high in individuals with chronic stress or PTSD. While research is still emerging, case reports have noted improvements in cortisol profiles with regular chiropractic care. For example, one case study of a 40-year-old woman with anxiety and chronic neck pain found that after 12 chiropractic treatments her salivary cortisol levels decreased in tandem with her anxiety symptomsrowechiropractic.comrowechiropractic.com. The patient’s neck pain and headaches also resolved, suggesting that relieving her spinal dysfunction reduced both her physical and psychological stress load. Although this is a single case, it supports a broader hypothesis that by removing subluxations and easing tension on the nervous system, chiropractic care can help recalibrate the body’s neuroendocrine (brain-hormone) stress axis.

Restoring Neurological Balance and Plasticity

Beyond immediate calming effects, chiropractic adjustments may promote longer-term neurological healing. Adjusting the spine sends a flood of sensory input to the brain, which can drive beneficial neuroplastic changes – essentially “rewiring” neural circuits that were destabilized by trauma or pain. A 2024 clinical trial by Haavik et al. investigated neuroplastic responses to chiropractic care in people with chronic pain and co-occurring mood disturbances. Using EEG brain mapping, they found that after 4 weeks of regular adjustments, patients exhibited significant changes in brain network connectivity, particularly in the default mode network (DMN) mdpi.commdpi.com. The DMN is a brain network associated with our sense of self and resting mind-wandering; it can become dysregulated in conditions like PTSD and chronic pain where one’s thoughts are dominated by rumination or internalized painmdpi.commdpi.com. Excitingly, the study showed that chiropractic care increased alpha brain-wave activity and normalized functional connectivity within the DMN mdpi.com.This correlated with clinically significant improvements in patients’ quality of life scores – including reductions in pain intensity, anxiety, depression, and fatigue – compared to baseline mdpi.com. In fact, those improvements in mood and anxiety were not only statistically significant but meaningful in magnitude (exceeding the minimum clinically important difference) mdpi.commdpi.com. The authors concluded that many of the health benefits of chiropractic care may stem from these brain changes: by altering how the brain processes sensory information and stress signals, adjustments can alleviate pain and also uplift mood and mental state mdpi.commdpi.com.

The above findings support what the chiropractic profession has asserted for over a century: the spine and nervous system are intimately connected to overall wellness. When we correct spinal subluxations, we are not just cracking bones; we are influencing the software of the body – the neural pathways that dictate how we feel and function. For instance, a scientific review on the neurobiological basis of chiropractic reported that spinal adjustments can stimulate the release of important neural chemicals. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF), two proteins vital for nerve health and mood regulation, are among the substances that increase with chiropractic manipulation rcastoragev2.blob.core.windows.net. These neurotrophins support neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to adapt and heal) and have antidepressant-like effects in the nervous systemrcastoragev2.blob.core.windows.net. Chiropractic adjustments have also been shown to trigger endorphins and regulate inflammatory cytokines, yielding a biochemical environment more conducive to healing and emotional stability rcastoragev2.blob.core.windows.net. In short, chiropractic may help reboot an overwhelmed nervous system – quieting the excess fight-or-flight signals while boosting those factors that restore equilibrium, growth, and repair.

Evidence of Positive Outcomes for Trauma and Mental Health

Perhaps the most compelling evidence of chiropractic’s impact on trauma comes from patient outcomes documented in case studies and clinical trials. A key point to emphasize is that chiropractic care does not “cure” the psychological dimension of trauma in isolation – healing from trauma is typically a multifaceted journey. However, by addressing the bodily component of trauma, chiropractic often facilitates significant improvements in patients’ mental well-being. Below are several notable reports from the scientific literature:

  • Case Study – Depression and Anxiety Resolved: An illustrative case was published in 2018 in the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research, involving a 30-year-old woman with longstanding clinical depression and anxiety. She sought chiropractic care primarily to improve her posture and spinal alignment. After a course of regular adjustments, her life changed remarkably: she reported better sleep, higher energy levels, and an overall resurgence in quality of life rowechiropractic.com. What’s more, under her medical doctor’s guidance, she was able to discontinue the psychiatric medications she had relied on for years rowechiropractic.com. In other words, correcting her spinal subluxations corresponded with such a positive shift that her depression and anxiety essentially resolved. This single case mirrors what many chiropractors have observed anecdotally – patients frequently describe feeling “lighter,” less anxious, and more emotionally balanced after their nervous system interference is removed.

  • Case Series – Veterans with Pain and PTSD: In 2022, the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine reported a case series from a U.S. Veterans Affairs hospital, focusing on three military veterans who had musculoskeletal pain accompanied by mental health challenges (depression, anxiety, and even suicidal ideation in two cases) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. These patients received chiropractic treatment for their pain and were concurrently co-managed by mental health providers (for counseling or therapy). All three veterans “responded positively to interdisciplinary care” – they experienced functional improvements, pain reduction, and improved self-reported outcomes on standardized
    scales
    pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. This is an encouraging example of how addressing the body and mind together can accelerate recovery. The chiropractors in the VA system recognized the signs of trauma and stress in these patients and ensured they got psychological help alongside physical treatment. The outcome was that, as the
    patients’ pain lessened with adjustments, their depressive and anxious symptoms also abated, enabling better overall progress. This underscores that chiropractic can be a valuable part of an integrated, trauma-informed care plan.

Clinical Trial – Chronic Pain, Anxiety and Depression: As mentioned earlier, a controlled trial by Haavik et al. found that a month of chiropractic care in chronic pain patients led to significant decreases in anxiety and depression scores, beyond just pain relief mdpi.com. Participants in the chiropractic group showed objectively better sleep patterns and reported less emotional distress compared to control subjects. Notably, these improvements aligned with EEG findings of normalized brain network activity mdpi.commdpi.com. This provides scientific validation that when pain and tension are relieved, a person’s emotional health often improves in parallel – and chiropractic adjustments were the catalyst for those changes in this study.

Headache and PTSD-Related Symptoms: Chronic headaches are common in trauma survivors, often linked with underlying tension and autonomic dysregulation. A study on tension-type headaches (TTH) demonstrated that spinal manipulative therapy not only eased the headaches but also produced a parasympathetic response that improved associated mental health symptoms rcastoragev2.blob.core.windows.net. In that trial, patients who received chiropractic adjustments for TTH had reductions in anxiety and depression levels as well, compared to baseline. Similarly, a case report noted the “first clue” that chiropractic care for pain may help mood: a 44-year-old teacher with major depression and chronic headaches experienced long-lasting depression relief after undergoing chiropractic spinal adjustments for her headaches rcastoragev2.blob.core.windows.net. These accounts suggest that some of the emotional load of trauma (like depression) can be lifted by addressing physical pain and tension through chiropractic. Relieving the body’s burden appears to free up mental and emotional capacity for healing.

It bears repeating that the above outcomes were achieved without drugs or invasive procedures – purely through hands-on adjustment of the spine and supportive therapies. The safety profile of chiropractic is very high, and when delivered by a trained practitioner it offers a gentle means to help trauma survivors feel better in their bodies. By improving biomechanics and reducing nervous system “noise,” chiropractic care can create a fertile ground for psychological therapies to work more effectively. Many mental health professionals now recognize the merit of this complementary approach. In some areas, chiropractors, psychologists, and physicians are collaborating more closely – for instance, by cross-referring patients – once they “realize, recognize, and respond” to the role of trauma in health (as the trauma-informed care framework advises) pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Conclusion: An Integrative Path to Healing

Trauma recovery is often likened to peeling back layers of an onion – it involves working through physical, emotional, and cognitive layers of pain. Chiropractic care squarely addresses the physical and neurological layers of trauma. By correcting subluxations and improving spinal health, chiropractic helps reset an over-stressed nervous system, enabling the body to finally shift out of survival mode. This in turn can reduce the “visceral warning signs” and internal alarms that traumatized individuals live with daily besselvanderkolk.com. The results, as we’ve seen through various studies, include not just pain relief but better sleep, improved mood, reduced anxiety, and enhanced overall well-being mdpi.comrowechiropractic.com. In essence, freeing the body can help free the mind.

It is important to approach trauma holistically. Chiropractic care is not a stand-alone “cure” for PTSD or psychological trauma – nor do ethical chiropractors claim it to be. However, it can be a powerful adjunctive therapy that amplifies the benefits of psychotherapy, psychiatry, or other trauma treatments by ensuring the body is aligned and the nervous system regulated. The body and mind are in constant dialogue; chiropractic focuses on optimizing that dialogue by removing physical impediments to healing. As one recent neuroscience review of chiropractic put it, the adjustments directed at subluxated segments can impact not only chronic pain but also influence anxiety and depression symptoms mdpi.com. This is a profound statement coming from rigorous research: it acknowledges that the work done on the treatment table reverberates through a patient’s mental and emotional health in measurable ways.

For trauma survivors, the gentle, supportive touch of a skilled chiropractor can also provide something intangible yet invaluable: a restoration of trust and safety in one’s own body. Feeling the spine unlock and the tension release sends a signal to the brain that “it is okay to relax now; you are safe.” Over time, chiropractic care can help break the cycle of pain and fear, empowering individuals to engage more fully in life again. It aligns well with the broader goal of trauma therapy – to help patients reclaim control over their bodies and their stories besselvanderkolk.com. By caring for the nervous system through spinal adjustments, chiropractors offer a unique form of release from the grip of trauma stored in the body. The high-quality evidence we now have – from case reports of anxiety resolution to clinical trials showing mood improvements – all point to the same conclusion: chiropractic can be a key player in the multidisciplinary healing of psychological trauma, unlocking the body’s innate ability to heal and fostering resilience from the inside out.

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