Balance - a flexible spine is key

Spinal stiffness can significantly affect balance, impacting a person's ability to maintain stability and perform coordinated movements. Did you know that the muscles of the upper neck are x 250 more sensitive to movement than those in your hands and feet? Imagine what the knock on effect of just a stiff neck can have on your brain’s ability to manage your balance and sense of where you are in space?

Getting regular chiropractic checkups and adjustments will work to keeping your spine healthy, mobile and strong, improving your balance and futureproof you for risk of falls and injury. Here’s why!

1. Reduced Range of Motion due to stiffness will -

   • Limited Flexibility: Stiffness in the spine reduces its flexibility, limiting the range of motion necessary for making adjustments to maintain balance. This can hinder movements such as bending, twisting, and leaning.

   • Compensatory Movements: When spinal motion is restricted, other parts of the body, like the hips and ankles, may need to compensate, which can lead to inefficient or unstable postures.

2. Altered Postural Control leads to -

   • Impaired Postural Reflexes: Spinal stiffness can interfere with the body's natural reflexes and the ability to make quick adjustments in response to balance disturbances.

   • Muscle Imbalance: Stiffness often leads to imbalances in muscle strength and coordination, further compromising postural stability.

3. Proprioception Issues will -

   • Decrease Sensory Feedback: Proprioception, the body's ability to sense its position in space, can be diminished with spinal stiffness. This decrease in sensory feedback makes it harder for the body to correct its position and maintain balance.

   • Delayed Response: A stiffer spine can slow down the body's response to balance challenges, increasing the risk of falls.

4. Pain and Discomfort leads to -

   • Chronic Pain: Spinal stiffness is often associated with chronic pain, which can distract from maintaining proper balance and lead to more cautious or hesitant movements.

   • Fear of Movement: Pain and stiffness can cause a fear of movement, leading to a more rigid posture and reduced overall activity, both of which can negatively affect balance.

   So to avoid injury, minimise falls risk and improve your general health and wellness be sure to keep up with a regular chiropractic maintenance schedule.