90% of the information we receive into the body from the outside world (proprioception) we receive as a result of muscle spindles (the tiny little nerve measurements of movement in our muscles). The chiropractic adjustment primarily affects these muscle spindles .The treatment switches on the nerves in these spindles that then send information to the brain (mid brain to be more specific) for postural stability, that is, keeping you in the upright position .

Basically, the adjustment amplifies the proprioceptive/information feedback of body position. The adjustment also has an analgesic effect by blocking the pain pathways, which is of course why most people come to see us.

We utilize a lot of postural correction techniques including traction particularly to the cervical/neck spine because the neck muscles are a massive “organ’ to balance..

For example, there are 242 muscle spindles per gram of muscle fibre in one of the upper neck muscles attached to the skull versus 2 muscle spindles per gram in the trapezius muscle (that muscle that sits on top of the shoulders). This becomes a great issue for the elderly because as the midbrain area declines with age as does the vision centre, the neck is relied upon for postural control and stability. If the neck has degenerated/worn, it becomes a great problem.

Symptoms of dizziness, unsteadiness and visual disturbances can result of abnormal eye-neck coordination.

Even slightly enriching information/muscle spindle activity in the neck by way of a chiropractic adjustment can prevent a lot of elderly injuries. All procedures performed are modified to age and body type. A lot of elderly adjustments are by instrumentation only utilising a low amplitude adjusting instrument.

Basically, the adjustment increases the responsiveness of the neurological system. Which is of course Good for all ages!

O.K, now about the limbic system..the “feel good” section of the brain. The limbic system is thought to have connections with the above mentioned balance centre of the brain. Have you ever felt a greater sense of wellbeing after treatment to your spine (especially the neck)? A research paper by Balaban and Thayer are looking at the association of how neck dysfunction could produce anxiety.