Chiropractic Care and PTSD: Calming the Nervous System from the Inside Out
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects millions of people each year - here are a few statistics with
regards to the UK:
It’s estimated that 50-70% of people will experience a trauma at some point in their life .
1 in 10 people in the UK are expected to experience PTSD at some point in their lives.
In the UK, that’s around 6,665,000 people who are expected to develop PTSD or Complex-PTSD at some point in their life,
yet it is still an incredibly misunderstood, often misdiagnosed and stigmatised condition. (PTSDUK.org)
PTSD not only emotionally, but physically can affect an individual. Many who live with PTSD experience muscle tension, sleep disturbances, chronic pain, and a constant feeling of being “on edge.” These are all signs of a nervous system stuck in overdrive.
While therapy and medication are vital tools in managing PTSD, there’s growing interest in how chiropractic care can support alongside this healing process — especially by helping to regulate the nervous system.
How PTSD Affects the Body
PTSD isn’t just a mental health condition; it’s a full-body experience. Traumatic stress can keep the nervous system locked in a fight-or-flight state, which may lead to:
• Muscle tightness and chronic pain
• Headaches or migraines
• Insomnia and fatigue
• Digestive issues
• Heightened startle responses
In short, the body often stays ‘ready for danger’ long after the threat has passed.
Where Chiropractic Comes In
Chiropractic care focuses on the spine and its connection to the central nervous system. Gentle adjustments can help improve alignment, mobility, and nervous system communication.
What many people don’t realise is that the spine plays a major role in regulating stress responses. When vertebrae are misaligned or areas of the spine are under tension, they can contribute to a stuck or overactive stress response.
📖 What the Research Says:
• A 2009 study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine found that cervical spinal adjustments resulted in significant reductions in blood pressure and increased parasympathetic activity, signalling a calming effect on the nervous system.
• In a PET scan study of chiropractic patients, researchers observed decreased stress, pain, and muscle tone, alongside increased brain activity in areas tied to emotional regulation, such as the prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex.
• A 2020 literature review on chiropractic care and major depressive disorder highlighted that spinal manipulation may stimulate parasympathetic activity, balance the autonomic nervous system, and even impact the release of neurotrophic factors that support mental health.
What Patients Say
Many patients dealing with trauma or chronic stress report feeling more grounded, calm, or emotionally centred after chiropractic sessions. One person I worked with described it as “a reset button for my nervous system.”
Team Approach to Healing
PTSD recovery is deeply personal and often non-linear. Chiropractic care isn’t a cure — but it can be a powerful ally when combined with therapy, support groups, mindfulness, and other tools. When the body begins to feel safe again, emotional healing often follows.
If you or someone you care about is navigating PTSD and seeking some natural support options, consider exploring chiropractic care as part of a trauma-informed, integrative approach. Your nervous system deserves the chance to rest, reset, and rebuild — one adjustment at a time.
‘til next time,
Kadyn x