Joint Position Sense

In this video, we delve into a research study examining joint position sense awareness for individuals with lower-level neck pain. We use a computer-linked electrogoniometer to record the findings.

Furthermore, numerous research studies, similar to this one, highlight various advantages of chiropractic care. These benefits encompass improved visual acuity and visual field size, reaction times, brain processing times, joint position sense in your ankle, spinal function, muscle strength in your legs, and prevention of muscle fatigue.

A transcript of the video follows.

Joint Position Sense Studies Video Transcript

Did you know that many research studies have shown that chiropractic care can change brain function?

Let’s look at one of these studies. This one explored the brain’s ability to sense the position of the elbow joint when the arm is moved. The study involved 25 people with a low level of neck pain and 18 healthy people with no pain at all.

The healthy group was the control group.

All of the participants were tested for their brain’s ability to determine the exact position of their elbow joint. They were shown how to position their arm while lying down, and then were asked to reproduce this angle with their eyes closed. A fancy tool called an electrogoniometer was used to ensure that the findings were very accurate.

The healthy control group was very good at knowing exactly where their elbow was positioned and could consistently reproduce the elbow position. However, the group that suffered with low level neck pain were not so good at knowing where their arms were. The group with low level neck pain was then given chiropractic adjustments.

After this, they were better at repositioning their arm.

Subsequently, after being adjusted by the chiropractor, participants’ brains exhibited enhanced awareness of their arm positions.

This study was really cool because it shows that improving the function of your spine can not only help your brain see what’s going on in your spine, but it can also help improve the way your brain sees what’s going on in your arms.

There are many, many more research studies like this that demonstrate all sorts of benefits from receiving chiropractic care. Such as improved visual acuity and visual field size, reaction times, brain processing times, joint position sense in your ankle, spinal function, muscle strength in your legs, and prevention of muscle fatigue.

We will explore more of this research in future videos.

In the meantime, make sure you get yourself checked by your chiropractor.

References for Joint Position Sense

1. Haavik H, Murphy B. Subclinical neck pain and the effects of cervical manipulation on elbow joint position sense. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2011;34(2):88-97.
2. Herzog W, Scheele D, Conway PJ. Electromyographic responses of back and limb muscles associated with spinal manipulative therapy. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 1999;24(2):146-53.
3. Kelly DD, Murphy BA, Backhouse DP. Use of a mental rotation reaction-time paradigm to measure the effects of upper cervical adjustments on cortical processing: a pilot study. Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics 2000;23(4):246-51.
4. Niazi, I.K., Türker, K.S., Flavel, S., Kinget, M., Duehr, J., Haavik,H. Changes in H-reflex and V-waves following spinal manipulation. Exp Brain Res 2015; 233, 1165–1173
5. Haavik Taylor H, Murphy B. Cervical spine manipulation alters sensorimotor integration: A somatosensory evoked potential study. Clin Neurophysiol 2007;118(2):391-402.
6. Haavik Taylor H, Murphy B. Transient modulation of intracortical inhibition following spinal manipulation. Chiropractic Journal of Australia 2007;37:106-16.
7. Haavik Taylor H, Murphy B. Altered sensorimotor integration with cervical spine manipulation. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2008;31(2):115-26.
8. Haavik Taylor H, Murphy B. Altered Central Integration of Dual Somatosensory Input Following Cervical Spine Manipulation. Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics 2010;33 (3):178-88.
9. Suter E, McMorland G, Herzog G, et al. Conservative lower back treatment reduces inhibition in knee-extensor muscles: a randomized controlled trial. JMPT 2000;23(2):76-80.

© Haavik Research

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