How Does Chiropractic Work?
Assessment of spine motion
One of the most common questions I hear in practice is a simple one:
“How does chiropractic actually work?”
It’s a fair question. Many people know that chiropractors work with the spine, but fewer understand why that matters or how it can influence pain, movement, and overall health.
Research over the last few decades — including the work of chiropractic researcher and writer Dr Heidi Haavik — has helped clarify what chiropractors have observed clinically for over a century: chiropractic care influences the nervous system, and the nervous system influences everything you do.
Let’s break that down in plain English.
The spine and the nervous system
Your brain communicates with your body through your nervous system. Messages travel from the brain, down the spinal cord, and out through nerves to control movement, sensation, balance, and even how your body adapts to stress.
The spine does more than provide structure — it protects this vital communication system.
When the joints of the spine are moving well, the brain receives clear, accurate information about what’s happening in the body. When spinal joints become stiff, irritated, or dysfunctional (often due to injury, poor posture, stress, or repetitive strain), the quality of that information can change.
This is where chiropractic care comes in.
What is a chiropractic adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment is a specific, controlled movement applied to a joint — most commonly in the spine — that isn’t moving or functioning as well as it should.
The goal isn’t simply to “crack” a joint or put something “back in place”. The goal is to restore normal movement and improve how the nervous system perceives and controls that area of the body.
What the research tells us
Dr Heidi Haavik’s research has focused on how spinal function affects the brain.
Studies using brain imaging and neurophysiological testing show that spinal dysfunction can alter how the brain:
Processes pain
Controls muscles
Integrates balance and coordination
Responds to sensory input
Research has also shown that chiropractic adjustments can:
Improve communication between the brain and body
Change how the brain processes pain signals
Improve muscle activation and coordination
Enhance the brain’s awareness of joint position and movement (proprioception)
In other words, chiropractic care doesn’t just act locally at the spine — it can influence how the brain functions.
Why pain often improves
Pain is not just a signal from tissues — it is an experience created by the brain.
When spinal joints are irritated or not moving well, they can send distorted signals to the brain. Over time, this can make the nervous system more sensitive, meaning pain is felt more easily and lasts longer than it should.
By improving spinal movement and reducing abnormal joint input, chiropractic care can help calm this heightened sensitivity. This is one reason people often notice:
Reduced pain
Improved movement
Feeling more relaxed or “looser”
Better confidence in movement
It’s about function, not just symptoms
At Winchester Spine Centre, we don’t just ask where it hurts — we ask why it hurts.
Chiropractic care focuses on restoring normal function to the spine and nervous system so your body can better adapt, heal, and cope with daily demands.
That’s why care is tailored to the individual. Two people with the same symptoms may need very different approaches depending on how their spine and nervous system are functioning.
So, how does chiropractic work?
In simple terms:
Chiropractic improves how spinal joints move
Better movement improves the quality of information sent to the brain
The brain can then better control movement, reduce pain, and coordinate the body
It’s not about forcing the body to change — it’s about helping the nervous system work the way it was designed to.
If you’d like to know whether chiropractic care could help you, we’re always happy to answer questions or assess how your spine is functioning.
Understanding how your body works is the first step toward taking care of it.
Ready to find out if chiropractic can help you?
If you’re new to chiropractic, the first step is understanding what’s causing your problem and how your spine and nervous system are functioning.
At Winchester Spine Centre, new patients start with a thorough consultation and examination, followed by clear explanations and a personalised plan — no guesswork, no pressure.
Understanding how your body works is the first step toward taking care of it.
FAQs
Does chiropractic just treat back pain?
No. While chiropractic is well known for back pain, it also helps with neck pain, headaches, joint problems, posture-related issues, and movement dysfunction by improving nervous system control.
Is chiropractic evidence-based?
Yes. Modern chiropractic care is supported by growing research, including studies showing effects on pain processing, muscle control, and brain–body communication.
Do chiropractic adjustments put bones back into place?
No. Adjustments improve joint movement and nervous system input — they don’t force bones back into position.
How quickly will I notice results?
Some people feel improvement quickly, while others need a course of care. This depends on the condition, how long it’s been present, and how your body responds.
Is chiropractic safe?
Chiropractic care is considered very safe when performed by a qualified, regulated chiropractor following a proper assessment.
Written by Mark Kennedy BSc (Chiropractic), DC, CCEP
Chiropractor at Winchester Spine Centre
Mark Kennedy is a UK-registered chiropractor (General Chiropractic Council Reg; 00019) with over 25 years of clinical experience treating back pain, neck pain, joint injuries, and chronic musculoskeletal conditions in Winchester.
This article is published by Winchester Spine Centre, a regulated chiropractic clinic based in Winchester, Hampshire.