The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls many of the body’s automatic functions, including heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and breathing.

Because the spine and nervous system work closely together, researchers have long been interested in whether chiropractic care can influence these important functions.

A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis examined 14 clinical trials involving more than 600 participants to evaluate the effects of spinal manipulation on the autonomic nervous system.

While the overall evidence did not demonstrate consistent changes across all autonomic measures, researchers found evidence suggesting that cervical spinal manipulation may influence heart rate variability (HRV), a measure associated with parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) activity.

As chiropractic research advances, our understanding of how spinal adjustments influence the body’s regulatory systems continues to grow.

Supporting healthy nervous system function remains an important part of our patient-centered approach to care.

References

Sampath, Kesava Kovanur, et al. “Effectiveness of Spinal Manipulation in Influencing the Autonomic Nervous System: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, vol. 32, no. 1, 2024, pp. 10–27.