Can Chiropractic Change Your DNA?

YES! The answer is a resounding yes.

In 2012, a major article came out in Times Magazine covering the science of DNA structure. The article revealed that scientists were beginning to discover that physical activity leads to beneficial changes in gene activity, even after just a single workout or physical activity!

By working out and stretching muscles, exercise helped to “tune-up” the human DNA.

The article records: “The researchers worked with a group of 14 young men and women who were relatively sedentary, and asked them to work out on an exercise bike that measured their maximum activity levels. The participants also volunteered to give up a little bit of muscle, from their quadriceps, in a relatively painless biopsy procedure performed under local anesthesia. The researchers took the biopsy of muscle cells once before the participants exercised, and again within 20 minutes afterward. Using the biopsied samples, researchers compared the activity in a series of muscle-related genes before and after exercise. More genes were turned on in the cells taken after the exercise and the participants’ DNA showed less methylation, a molecular process in which chemicals called methyl groups to settle on the DNA and limit the cell’s ability to access, or switch on, certain genes.”

In simple terms, the more the subjects of research worked out, the more their DNA responded with positive growth and changes. This is directly connected with chiropractic!

How Does This Relate With Chiropractic?

A chiropractor’s job is to move the spine and muscles into alignment and balance. While performing treatments and adjusting the human body, chiropractic can have some of the same benefits of exercise and a workout.

Similarly to a good workout, chiropractic releases endorphins, flushes out toxins, increases blood flow, and allows for greater mobility and movement of the muscle groups in the human body.

Doctors and researchers have proven that by staying active with regular cardiovascular activity, the human body increases its cellular production and thus, its ability to fight off disease and heal itself.

The same benefits that occur at the DNA and cellular level from a workout can also occur when seeing a chiropractor!

Chiropractic also helps the body to increase cellular production by improving the movement of muscle groups and blood flow. As a result of increased blood flow, the human body can produce more cells and spread white blood cells (that have healing properties) throughout the body. By spreading white blood cells, your cells are boosted and your DNA can improve in strength and structure over time. If you can believe it, chiropractic can help to create positive changes in your DNA!

Another Helpful Study

In 2005, a landmark study published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation (JVSR) found evidence that chiropractic adjustments can reduce oxidative stress in the body.

Oxidative stress is a type of damage that occurs when free radicals outnumber the body’s antioxidants. Oxidative stress can cause damages throughout all body cell components: proteins, lipids and DNA. Oxidative stress can also play a dangerous role in diseases and disorders: Alzheimer’s disease, atherosclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and many others.

In the study published in JVSR, there were 76 participants: one group received short-term chiropractic care; a second group received long-term chiropractic care; and the third group received no chiropractic care.

After qualifying for age, sex and the use of nutritional supplements, the participants that received chiropractic adjustments for 2 or more years were found to be healthier and had higher serum thiol levels than those with disease. Some of the chiropractic patients had serum thiol levels higher than what is associated with normal wellness and thus, lower oxidative stress in the body.

By improving the serum thiol and reducing oxidative stress, human DNA can be repaired and boosted. Thus, the positive connection between Chiropractic treatment and DNA health was verified.

Positive Benefits of Seeing a Tulsa Chiropractor

Chiropractic can not only help the brain and the nerves throughout the body to communicate better, but also help your cells heal better. Chiropractic can also help to improve your body’s communication with the brain and improve mental clarity and reduce pain. Please fill out the form below if you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Curtis Smith and the Care Family Medical Team.