Chiropractic Care for Weight Loss: Is There a Connection?

Chiropractic care has become one of the most commonly used complementary and alternative medicine therapies in the United States, where a 2022 national survey showed that 11 percent of U.S. adults used chiropractic care. 

This holistic approach offers numerous benefits to overall health and quality of life, ranging from enhanced mobility to more effective pain management. While chiropractic care doesn’t directly lead to weight loss, it may indirectly support weight loss efforts. But how exactly can it achieve this?

Keep reading to learn how regular chiropractic visits, paired with tools like Fastic, may help you attain your weight loss goals.

Understanding Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care focuses on correcting alignment problems, easing pain, and promoting the body’s natural ability to heal itself. Licensed and trained professionals use their hands and specialized instruments to apply controlled force to a specific area of the musculoskeletal system. The spine is the primary focus because it houses the central nervous system, which is fundamental to overall body function.

Chiropractic care offers a broad spectrum of health benefits, making it a highly regarded approach to enhancing overall quality of life. It is particularly effective for:

• Pain relief: Alleviate discomfort in the back, neck, joints, and other areas caused by tension, misalignments, or past injuries.

• Improved mobility: Enhance flexibility and range of motion by addressing joint and musculoskeletal issues.

• Optimized nervous system function: Promotes better communication between the brain and body by correcting spinal misalignments.

The Connection Between Chiropractic Care and Weight Loss

Chiropractic care for weight loss isn’t a direct solution; however, it may provide indirect benefits that support weight management efforts. 

Chiropractic care may indirectly promote weight loss by:

1. Relieving chronic pain, enhancing mobility and activity

Chronic pain can significantly limit physical movement, making even simple activities like walking or exercising extremely challenging. A lack of movement can impede weight loss efforts, while regular physical activity, like a 30-minute walk, plays a crucial role in reaching weight loss goals. Chiropractic adjustments can alleviate pain, improve posture, and increase joint mobility, allowing individuals to engage in physical activity with fewer physical restrictions.

2. Reducing stress through realignment

Spinal misalignments (subluxation) can contribute to physical discomfort, leading to emotional stress. Chiropractic care may help diminish stress, potentially lowering cortisol levels, a hormone associated with stress-related weight gain. As cortisol levels rise, blood sugar levels can increase, and a subsequent drop can trigger cravings for fatty, sugary foods as the body attempts to replenish glucose. A 2015 study found that elevated cortisol levels can slow down metabolism, which in turn affects digestion.

3. Improving nervous system function

Chiropractic care can also affect the nervous system by correcting spinal misalignments, which may improve communication between the brain and the body. Studies suggest that spinal manipulation can influence nervous activity, potentially improving digestive health by supporting nerve function that regulates the digestive system. 

To fully maximize weight loss potential through chiropractic care, incorporating a nutrient-rich diet and regular exercise is imperative. Use the Fastic to obtain and maintain a personalized eating plan while tracking your exercise habits, bringing you closer to your health objectives.

Complement Chiropractic Care to Achieve Weight Loss

In addition to regular exercise and a nutrient-dense diet, there are several other ways to enhance your weight management efforts while improving your quality of life.

Prioritize Good Quality Sleep to Avoid Hindering Metabolism

Sleep is essential for maintaining proper metabolism, encouraging immune function, and managing weight. Poor quality sleep can lower metabolism, making it harder to burn calories. Additionally, it can increase hunger and appetite by altering metabolic and endocrine functions. An imbalance in hunger-regulating hormones, such as leptin and ghrelin, can increase cravings for unhealthy foods. 

Incorporate Mindfulness to Manage Stress and Prevent Overeating

Practices like mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing can reduce cortisol levels, preventing stress-induced weight gain. A 4-month study exploring the effects of mindfulness on stress eating and abdominal fat on overweight and obese women found that mindfulness training improved eating habits, reduced anxiety, and lowered cortisol levels leading to a decrease in abdominal fat. 

Seek Professional Healthcare Advice to Boost Weight Loss

Working with nutritionists, trainers, and physicians is highly recommended for personalized diet, exercise, and overall health management guidance. These professionals help create sustainable, effective weight loss plans tailored to an individual’s health needs, ensuring a safe approach to achieving long-term results.

Additional Weight Loss Strategies

Are you looking to boost your weight loss efforts even more? Some strategies can further aid your weight management goals.

Calorie Restriction

Calorie restriction is a popular weight loss strategy that involves consuming fewer calories than the body burns. When you consume fewer calories than your body burns, it begins to use stored energy—primarily from fat reserves—to meet its energy needs, resulting in weight loss. A calorie restriction diet may lead to a weekly weight loss of 3 to 5 pounds (1.5 to 2 kg). It’s important to note that factors such as initial weight and the intensity of the diet contribute significantly to determining the outcome.

Keto Diet

The ketogenic diet is characterized by a high intake of fats, moderate consumption of proteins, and a very low intake of carbohydrates. Macronutrient intake can vary, the typical percentages are approximately 55 - 60% fat, 30 - 35% protein, and 5 - 10% carbohydrates. During the first stages, the keto diet often grants fast weight loss, where one can lose up to 10 pounds in 2 weeks or less. However, it is often attributed to water loss as glycogen stores are depleted. 

Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting works by alternating periods of fasting and eating within a 24-hour timeframe. During fasting periods with reduced food intake, the body begins to burn fat for energy needed to sustain essential functions. This process can potentially result in weight loss. A systematic review of 40 studies on intermittent fasting showed that participants lost an average of 0.7 to 1.1 lbs (0.3 to 0.5 kg) per week. Among its many benefits, fasting can also lower inflammation markers, potentially helping with back pain.

Read more about how these weight loss strategies differ to find the one that best suits your lifestyle and health objectives.

This holistic approach offers numerous benefits for overall health, but it’s important to remember that chiropractic care for weight loss is not a direct solution. Integrate chiropractic care into a broader, well-rounded health plan. Consider incorporating alternative wellness strategies like intermittent fasting to help you achieve your weight loss goals safely and methodically. Take the Fastic quiz to discover which intermittent fasting protocol is best for your lifestyle, eating habits, and overall weight objectives.

Disclaimer: It is advised to speak with a health professional before beginning intermittent fasting or a diet program. There may be side effects for people with certain medical conditions.