The Connection Between Your Spine and Your Immune System

Why Staying Aligned Helps You Stay Healthy

Most people think of chiropractic care as something you seek when your back hurts—but your spine plays a much bigger role in your overall wellness. Because your spine protects your nervous system, and your nervous system directs your immune system, spinal health is directly linked to how well your body fights off illness.

As we move through cold and flu season, understanding this connection becomes even more important.

The Nervous System’s Role in Immunity

Your nervous system is the command center of your entire body. It communicates with your immune system constantly, telling it when to activate, when to relax, and how to respond to bacteria, viruses, and other threats.

Here’s how the two systems work together:

• The brain sends signals that regulate inflammation and immune cell activity.

• The spinal cord delivers these signals to organs, lymph nodes, and tissues.

• Nerves branch from the spine to control immune-related organs such as the thymus, spleen, and digestive tract (where ~70% of the

immune system lives).

When the nervous system is functioning clearly and without interference, your immune system can respond faster, stronger, and more appropriately.

How Spinal Dysfunction Can Disrupt Nerve Communication

When the spine is misaligned or certain joints become restricted (known as segmental dysfunction or subluxation), it can create irritation or pressure around the surrounding nerves.

This can lead to:

• Slower nerve communication between the brain and immune system

• Increased stress responses, which suppress immune function

• Higher inflammation levels, making the body more vulnerable

• Decreased function in organs that play a role in immunity

Even mild dysfunction can create a “traffic jam” in your body’s communication system, similar to static in a phone call.

Clear communication = a stronger immune response

Research & Anecdotal Support

(Yes, chiropractic patients often report fewer sick days)

While research on chiropractic and immunity is still growing, several studies and long-standing trends support what many chiropractors observe in practice:

What research suggests:

• Chiropractic adjustments can reduce stress hormones like cortisol, which weaken immunity.

• Adjustments have been shown to increase white blood cell activity, especially neutrophils, which are your body’s first defenders

against infection.

• Studies on autonomic nervous system balance show adjustments can help shift the body out of “fight or flight” and into a more

relaxed, healing state.

What patients consistently report:

• Fewer colds each year

• Shorter recovery times when they do get sick

• More energy and less fatigue

• Feeling “run down” less often

Chiropractors commonly hear from long-term patients:

“Ever since I started getting adjusted, I notice I just don’t get sick as often.”

While anecdotal, the consistency of these reports across practices is hard to ignore.

The Importance of Alignment During Cold & Flu Season

During the fall and winter months, your immune system is working overtime. Stress increases, sleep decreases, schedules get hectic, and exposure to viruses rises. All of these factors weaken the immune system.

This is why spinal alignment matters more during this time:

• Optimal nerve communication = quicker immune response

• Decreased stress load supports immune strength

• Proper motion in the spine reduces inflammation

• Adjustments help the body adapt to physical, chemical, and emotional stressors

Think of chiropractic care as helping you stay “tuned up” so your body can handle whatever cold/flu season throws at it.

Final Thoughts

Your spine is more than just a structural support system, it’s the protective home of the nervous system, which directly influences your immune system. By keeping your spine aligned and your nervous system functioning at its best, you support your body’s natural defense mechanisms.

If you want to boost your overall wellness this cold and flu season, staying consistent with chiropractic care is one of the simplest and most effective ways to support your immune system naturally.