Can a Chiropractor Help You Grow Taller?
Many people wish they were taller. While your genetic makeup plays the biggest role in determining your height, there are some things you can do to maximize your growth potential. Some claim that visiting a chiropractor can make you taller. But is this really true?
In this comprehensive article, we'll explore the connection between chiropractic care and height, look at what the research says, and provide actionable tips to help you reach your maximum height.
How Chiropractic Works
Chiropractors focus on the health of the spine. They use techniques like spinal manipulation to correct misalignments in the vertebrae called "subluxations." Subluxations can impair nerve functioning, lead to pain, and restrict mobility.
By realigning the spine, chiropractors aim to restore proper nerve communication from the brain to the rest of the body. This helps relieve pain, improve mobility, and support overall health.
The Link Between Chiropractic and Height
Some chiropractors claim that by realigning the spine and improving posture, they can help patients grow taller. The logic is that spinal misalignments and poor posture compress the spine, limiting natural growth.
Fixing these problems allows the spine to decompress to its full length. Some chiropractors may also recommend specialized traction techniques to lengthen the spine.
Additionally, chiropractors help ensure proper nerve supply to the growth plates in the long bones of the legs. These growth plates produce new bone tissue during childhood and adolescence, enabling vertical growth.
What Does the Research Say?
There is limited scientific evidence about chiropractic treatment and increased height. However, some studies provide intriguing results:
- A case study of three adolescents reported height increases between 3-5.5 cm after 6 months of chiropractic care.
- Another study in youth aged 8-20 found those who received upper neck chiropractic adjustment gained on average 0.5 degrees of cervical curve, correlating with a height increase.
- Research shows chiropractic can improve posture and spinal function in children and teens, which could allow for greater height potential.
While promising, larger controlled studies are needed to fully evaluate chiropractic's effects on growth.
Additional Factors That Determine Height
While chiropractic care may provide some benefit, many other factors play a primary role in determining your final height.
Genetics
Research suggests 60-80% of height variation is due to genetic differences. If your biological parents are shorter, you're likely to be shorter as well.
Nutrition
Ensuring adequate and balanced nutrition supports growth. Key vitamins and minerals for bone health include calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc.
Hormones
Growth hormone and sex hormones (estrogen in girls, testosterone in boys) are essential for growth spurts during puberty. Disorders affecting hormone levels and timing of puberty can impact height.
Health and Lifestyle
Illnesses that affect the bones, joints, and endocrine system may stunt growth. Environmental factors like smoking and excessive alcohol/drug use also inhibit growth potential.
Height of Biological Parents
Children typically end up averaging the height of their biological parents, or reverting to the mean of their family. Having tall parents gives kids a genetic advantage to be tall as adults.
Tips to Maximize Height Potential
While you can't change your genetics, here are some tips that may help optimize your growth:
- Eat a balanced diet rich in nutrients like calcium, vitamin D and protein.
- Get regular vigorous exercise, including sports that decompress the spine like swimming, hanging from bars, etc.
- Ensure adequate sleep for optimal growth hormone production.
- Limit TV, phone, and slouching; maintain good posture.
- Consider growth hormone treatment if growth hormone deficient.
- Avoid smoking, excessive alcohol and drugs.
- Treat any underlying growth-inhibiting health conditions.
The Role of Chiropractic
While more research is needed, there's potential that chiropractic care could support growth by:
- Correcting spinal misalignments and posture to decompress the spine.
- Ensuring proper nerve supply to bones and growth plates.
- Improving spinal flexibility through adjustments.
- Advising on lifestyle habits and exercises to maximize growth potential.
If interested in chiropractic, find a practitioner experienced in pediatric spinal health. Schedule an exam to check for spinal issues that may inhibit growth.
Be wary of extreme spinal traction techniques that aggressively attempt to make you taller. There is little evidence these work and they could potentially be dangerous.
When to Stop Expecting Growth
Most boys complete their vertical growth by age 16-18, girls by 14-16 years. Growth plates fuse and height increases stop. The only way to get taller after full growth is leg lengthening surgery.
Consult your doctor if you are done growing but remain significantly shorter than mid-parental target height. Delayed puberty or an endocrine disorder may be affecting growth.
Height Isn't Everything
While being tall has advantages in some sports and activities, remember that height doesn't determine health or happiness. Focus on developing confidence, cultivating interests and hobbies, and being your best self at any height.
Key Takeaways
- Genetics determine 60-80% of your height potential.
- Nutrition, exercise, sleep, and hormones influence growth.
- Some research suggests chiropractic may support growth in kids and teens.
- Effects likely small; more evidence needed to recommend solely for increased height.
- Chiropractic aims to correct spine/posture issues and improve nerve supply to bones.
- Maximize nutrition, exercise, sleep, etc. for best growth opportunity.
- Your worth isn't determined by your height; be your best self at any size!
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
Add Comment