An article by a medical doctor – a psychiatrist, no less – on how chiropractic can improve mental health via the gut-brain-spine connection? You heard it right, and it may be one of the strongest pieces of evidence to date of the evolving perspective within at least some members of the medical community toward chiropractic care.
Dr. Mitchell Liester, an assistant clinical professor in the Colorado School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry, states in the article, which appears in Psychology Today, that “[s]everal evidence-based mechanisms explain how chiropractic care influences the gut-brain-spine axis and mental health.” Specifically, he notes vagal tone improvement, enhancement of neuroplasticity, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis modulation, and positive gut microbiome changes as benefits of spinal adjustments / chiropractic care.
The article’s key takeaway points: “Spinal manipulation modulates vagal tone, potentially improving stress resilience and emotional regulation. Research shows chiropractic adjustments reduce inflammation that affects both gut health and brain function. Improved nervous system function following chiropractic care positively influences the gut microbiome.”
The significance of a psychiatrist making these assertions shouldn’t be lost. While both psychologists and psychiatrists tackle mental health, the latter have MD degrees and thus possess the ability to prescribe medication.
Read the full article here and share it with your patients. Consider it free promotion for your practice and the profession.
