A Change in Cortisol Levels with Chiropractic Manipulation?

Physiological evidence of the impact of spinal manipulative therapy lends scientific support to the reports of patients and practitioners on the efficacy of chiropractic intervention.

This six-week study examined the effect of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy on salivary cortisol level in nine subjects (6 male, 3 female). Baseline cortisol levels were established, followed by a two-week treatment period (4 treatments) and a two-week posttreatment period.

Saliva samples were analyzed terms of the cortisol concentration present. Results showed reduction (or at least no increase) of salivary cortisol over the complete study. The initial evidence suggests, that chiropractic treatment has a measurable calming, physically soothing and restorative effect.

The potential relationship that was revealed demands further investigation of the physiological effects of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy. The methods employed in this study are being used in a larger randomized, controlled trial.

Tuchin PJ. The effect of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy on salivary cortisol levels. Journal of Australasian Chiropractic and Osteopathy, July 1998;7(2), pp86-92.