Chiropractic and Your Sex Life
I knew chiropractic was awesome when I had this conversation with one of my FIRST chiropractic patients ever – He came in for his regular adjustment on a Monday, and after asking how his weekend was, his response was the last thing I was expecting to come out of his mouth: “You know, I didn’t mention this when we first met, but I thought something was seriously wrong with me – I’m a guy in my 30’s, and I just didn’t want to have sex with my girlfriend. After getting my adjustments, it’s the first time in months that I’ve actually been in the mood. So, yes, I had an AWESOME weekend!”
Now let’s strip this topic down to the nitty-gritty (I love puns - sorry I couldn’t help myself!) – how can chiropractic have an affect on your sex life?
1. It increases your pleasure hormones – A recent study reported a boost in oxytocin levels after cervical (neck) and thoracic (mid-back) adjustments.[1] Oxytocin is a hormone in our bodies that has been called the “biological basis for love.” Oxytocin plays an important role in sexual arousal and sexual stimulation, which makes it a vital part of your sex life.[2]
2. No nerve interference = better function to your sexual organs – Your sacral plexus is a bundle of nerves that innervate (or supply) the muscles of your buttocks & legs, your bladder and sexual organs. These nerves also process sexual sensations and stimulation. When there is a subluxation in your pelvis or lower back, it negatively affects the function of these nerves, causing a miscommunication in the messages between your brain and body. Any compromise to the nerve supply in this area will affect sexual performance and sensations of pleasure, resulting in the inability to become aroused or stay aroused, inability to orgasm, decreased sensation, painful intercourse or just general sexual dysfunction. Chiropractic care addresses dysfunction of the pelvis and lumbar spine, and removes interference and stress on the nervous system, which then allows your body the ability to fully enjoy your sexual experiences.
3. Increased range of motion for those "creative positions" – Study after study has linked chiropractic adjustments with an overall increased range of motion and less pain (in all regions of the body). Some studies have even linked upper cervical adjustments (adjustments to the upper neck) to an increase in range of motion in the hips,[3] which remind us why it’s important to have your entire spine checked for subluxation, not just the area where you are experiencing symptoms.
Doesn’t this make you excited? (That’s my last pun, I promise.)
I knew chiropractic was awesome when I had this conversation with one of my FIRST chiropractic patients ever – He came in for his regular adjustment on a Monday, and after asking how his weekend was, his response was the last thing I was expecting to come out of his mouth: “You know, I didn’t mention this when we first met, but I thought something was seriously wrong with me – I’m a guy in my 30’s, and I just didn’t want to have sex with my girlfriend. After getting my adjustments, it’s the first time in months that I’ve actually been in the mood. So, yes, I had an AWESOME weekend!”
Now let’s strip this topic down to the nitty-gritty (I love puns - sorry I couldn’t help myself!) – how can chiropractic have an affect on your sex life?
1. It increases your pleasure hormones – A recent study reported a boost in oxytocin levels after cervical (neck) and thoracic (mid-back) adjustments.[1] Oxytocin is a hormone in our bodies that has been called the “biological basis for love.” Oxytocin plays an important role in sexual arousal and sexual stimulation, which makes it a vital part of your sex life.[2]
2. No nerve interference = better function to your sexual organs – Your sacral plexus is a bundle of nerves that innervate (or supply) the muscles of your buttocks & legs, your bladder and sexual organs. These nerves also process sexual sensations and stimulation. When there is a subluxation in your pelvis or lower back, it negatively affects the function of these nerves, causing a miscommunication in the messages between your brain and body. Any compromise to the nerve supply in this area will affect sexual performance and sensations of pleasure, resulting in the inability to become aroused or stay aroused, inability to orgasm, decreased sensation, painful intercourse or just general sexual dysfunction. Chiropractic care addresses dysfunction of the pelvis and lumbar spine, and removes interference and stress on the nervous system, which then allows your body the ability to fully enjoy your sexual experiences.
3. Increased range of motion for those "creative positions" – Study after study has linked chiropractic adjustments with an overall increased range of motion and less pain (in all regions of the body). Some studies have even linked upper cervical adjustments (adjustments to the upper neck) to an increase in range of motion in the hips,[3] which remind us why it’s important to have your entire spine checked for subluxation, not just the area where you are experiencing symptoms.
Doesn’t this make you excited? (That’s my last pun, I promise.)
[1] Changes in biochemical markers of pain perception and stress response after spinal manipulation. Plaza-Manzano G, Molina-Ortega F, Lomas-Vega R, Martínez-Amat A, Achalandabaso A, Hita-Contreras F. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2014 Apr;44(4):231-9. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2014.4996. Epub 2014 Jan 22. PMID:24450367 [PubMed - in process]
[2] The role of oxytocin in relation to female sexual arousal. W. Blaicher, D. Gruber, C. Bieglmayer, A. M. Blaicher, W. Knogler, J. C. Huber Gynecol Obstet Invest. 1999; 47(2): 125–126. doi: 10075
[3] The effect of upper cervical or sacroiliac manipulation on hip flexion range of motion. Pollard H, Ward G. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1998 Nov-Dec;21(9):611-6. PMID:9868632 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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