Blog post #283 from Ann Arbor, Michigan, chiropractor Mike Tannenbaum, D.C., of Tannenbaum Chiropractic, LLC: Can Chiropractic Adjustments Make You Taller?

As many people know, our body’s torso may shorten over time. Well, why is this?

1. The spine ages over time, and part of this aging process can include flattening of the discs between the vertebrae of the spine, known as the intervertebral discs. This flattening of the intervertebral discs causes the body’s torso to lose height.

2. Improper posture can lead to perceived reduction in body height. If your back is rounding, causing you to lean forward, you won’t stand as tall. Also, poor posture over time can lead to degeneration of the discs. As mentioned above, this will cause a reduction in torso height.

3. Even having great posture may not prevent you from losing height as you age, as misalignment of bones in your body can also make you shorter. Due to falls, repetitive stress, accidents, and the like, bones misalign — resulting in wear and tear on the joints, which causes loss of body height.  

Chiropractic Adjustments: How Can They Make You Taller?

Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to increase lost body height by straightening and stretching the spine. One study published by the National Library of Medicine, and another in the journal Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science, suggests that adjusting the joints of the spine can increase body torso height.

So, what is it exactly about adjustments that can potentially increase body height? Using their hands, chiropractors apply a targeted force to misaligned and often incorrectly mobile joints of the spine, moving the joints into proper alignment — resulting in proper motion in the joint. Allowing the torso/spine to be in proper alignment potentially increases the body’s height.

If you have any questions about this blog post, back pain, neck pain, or headaches,  I can be reached at my Ann Arbor chiropractic office at [email protected].