As a chiropractor, see it every day in practice: gentle spinal adjustments ease suffering. Whether it be neck
pain, headaches, infant colic or other ailments, chiropractic adjustments do not treat specific conditions in the
body, but they do remove obstructions to the nervous system which allows the body to heal itself. An exciting
new case study, published in the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research, reports on the resolution of
ulcerative colitis symptoms following a course of chiropractic care. This publication highlights the potential role of
chiropractic adjustments in co-managing inflammatory bowel conditions.
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the large intestine, particularly the colon and
rectum. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly targets the lining of the colon, causing continuous
inflammation and the formation of ulcers. These ulcers can lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea,
rectal bleeding, fatigue, and unintended weight loss. The condition typically follows a pattern of flare-ups and
periods of remission, with symptoms varying in severity from person to person. While the exact cause remains
unknown, researchers believe a combination of genetic, immune, and environmental factors contributes to its
development. Medical experts estimate that tens of thousands of Americans — on the order of roughly 30,000
to 70,000 — receive a new diagnosis of ulcerative colitis each year, making it one of the more common forms of
inflammatory bowel disease in the United States.
This case study highlights the potential of subluxation-based chiropractic care to support the body’s innate ability
to regulate inflammation and respiratory function through improved neurological communication. The study
reinforces the foundational chiropractic principle that the nervous system controls and coordinates all bodily
functions, and that structural shifts in the spine, called vertebral subluxations, can obstruct this vital
communication. By correcting these subluxations, chiropractic care enhances nerve supply and function,
allowing the body to better adapt and heal.
A 48-year-old female presented with a confirmed diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. Her chief complaint was
persistent abdominal pain that had begun two months earlier, accompanied by diarrhea, rectal bleeding, loss of
appetite, and a 13-pound weight loss. Her symptoms disrupted sleep and daily activities, leaving her unable to
work or participate in her usual activities.
A comprehensive history and examination were performed, including range of motion, neurological, and
orthopedic testing. Palpation revealed restricted motion at T9 with tight paraspinal musculature, tenderness on
left thoracic rotation, and posterior rotation of T6 on the right. Neurological and orthopedic exams were negative.
X-rays showed decreased cervical disc space, mild thoracic degeneration, and anterior osteophytes. Functional
Rating Index (FRI) score was 23%, indicating moderate disability, with mild pain, mild sleep disturbance, and
moderate recreation limitations.
The patient was cared for with full-spine chiropractic adjustments two to three times per week for 10 weeks. As
her condition improved, she transitioned to a wellness-based, as-needed schedule after approximately 24 visits.
By the fourth visit, she reported mild pain relief, and after 26 visits she achieved 80–100% improvement. Follow-
up palpation revealed improved motion in the thoracic spine with decreased soft tissue tenderness. Her bowel
urgency, frequency, and pain were significantly reduced, allowing her to return to normal work and recreational
activities.
This case highlights the potential role of chiropractic care, including spinal adjustments and supportive
therapies, in reducing symptoms and improving quality of life for patients with ulcerative colitis. Further research
was recommended by the authors to explore chiropractic co-management as a complementary approach in
inflammatory bowel disease.
Since the inception of chiropractic care in 1895, thousands of cases, documenting what appear as miraculous
healing of various conditions, have drawn attention and some skepticism in regards to the potential of
chiropractic adjustments. After 25 years in practice, I have learned not to expect nor to doubt the potential of the
body to heal when subluxations are removed from the spine. Slips, falls, car accidents, emotional stress and
toxic lifestyle choices can affect our spinal alignment and obstruct our nervous system. Gentle chiropractic
adjustments restore alignment and shift our nervous system state towards the parasympathetic tone of rest and
repair. You are never too young, and never to old, to have your spine checked by a qualified chiropractor for
vertebral subluxation. I encourage you to make 2026 your year to give attention to your family’s spinal health –
not to reduce pain, but to maximize overall function, balance and health.
Citation: Resolution of Symptoms Following Chiropractic in a Woman Suffering from Ulcerative Colitis: A
Case Study. Steve Bearden, DC & Dana Mahan, DC. Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research ~
December 8, 2025 ~ Volume 2025 ~ Pages 57-63