Why Chronic Low Back Pain Is More Than Structural
At Sikorsky Chiropractic & Fitness Clinic in Elgin, IL, we often explain that pain is not just about structure — it is also about how the nervous system responds.
New research published in Frontiers in Neurology (2025) supports this idea.
A recent review examined how spinal manipulation therapy affects brain function in people with:
- Lumbar disc herniation
- Chronic low back pain
This research helps us better understand why chiropractic care can play an important role in long-term recovery.
Chiropractic Care and the Brain
Most people associate chiropractic treatment with:
- Joint mobility
- Muscle tension
- Spinal alignment
However, the nervous system is deeply involved in how we experience pain.
The review analyzed neuroimaging studies to observe what happens in the brain before and after spinal manipulation.
Researchers found measurable changes in brain regions involved in:
- Pain perception
- Movement control
- Emotional processing of pain
- Sensory integration
These included areas such as:
- The prefrontal cortex
- The insula
- The anterior cingulate cortex
- Sensorimotor regions
These areas are responsible for how the body interprets discomfort and regulates movement.
Why This Matters for Patients in Elgin
Chronic low back pain is not always caused by ongoing injury.
Over time, the nervous system can become overly sensitive — continuing to signal pain even after tissues have healed.
This process is known as central sensitization.
The findings suggest spinal manipulation may help regulate how the brain processes pain signals, supporting more balanced communication between the brain and body.
At our Elgin chiropractic clinic, this aligns with what we see every day:
Pain is often both mechanical and neurological.
Movement, Stability, and Nervous System Function
Pain changes movement patterns.
In turn, movement changes how the brain interprets pain.
This is why combining chiropractic care with movement-based rehabilitation is essential.
Spinal manipulation may help create a temporary window where:
- Pain sensitivity decreases
- Motor control improves
- Movement feels safer
This allows patients to return to:
- Exercise
- Work
- Sports
- Daily activities
with less guarding and fear.
What This Means for Low Back Pain Treatment
If you are dealing with:
- Disc injuries
- Chronic low back pain
- Recurring flare-ups
Treatment should focus on more than symptom relief.
A comprehensive plan should include:
- Restoring movement
- Improving nervous system function
- Building long-term resilience
Chiropractic care may support the nervous system’s ability to regulate pain more effectively.
Chiropractic Care in Elgin, IL
At Sikorsky Chiropractic & Fitness Clinic, we take a performance-based approach to treating back pain.
Our goal is not only to reduce discomfort but to:
- Improve movement
- Enhance stability
- Support long-term recovery
Research like this helps explain why addressing both the spine and nervous system is essential for lasting results.
Reference
Cao, L., Shu, J., & Li, B. (2025).
Brain functional changes following spinal manipulation therapy in patients with lumbar disc herniation and chronic low back pain: A scoping review.
Frontiers in Neurology, 16, 1712320.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2025.1712320