Balance, Proprioception & Your Nervous System: Why It Matters More Than You Think
The body’s ability to move with ease, confidence, and coordination relies heavily on two interconnected systems: balance and proprioception. These systems work quietly in the background every time you walk, run, play sport, carry your child, practise yoga, or simply stand on one leg to put your shoes on.
When balance or proprioception is compromised, people often describe feeling clumsy, unsteady, or not quite right in their body — even if they haven’t had a major injury. As chiropractors, we see this every day, across all ages.
A Simple Self-Test: How Is Your Balance?
Before we go any further, try this quick self-assessment.
Single-Leg Balance Test
Stand barefoot on a flat surface
Lift one foot off the ground
Keep your eyes open and arms relaxed
Now ask yourself:
Which leg did you choose first — and why?
Do you wobble side-to-side or front-to-back?
Do your arms automatically come out for support?
How long can you comfortably hold the position?
Does one side feel noticeably harder than the other?
Most people are surprised by how challenging this is — and that information is valuable.
What Is Proprioception?
Proprioception is your body’s internal awareness system.
It refers to your brain’s ability to sense:
Joint position
Joint movement
Muscle tension
Speed and direction of movement
Thanks to proprioception, you know where your arms and legs are without looking at them. This allows movement to be smooth, coordinated, efficient, and automatic.
Proprioceptive input comes from specialised nerve receptors located in:
Joints
Muscles
Ligaments
Fascia
These receptors constantly send information to the brain and spinal cord, helping your nervous system make rapid adjustments to posture, balance, and movement.
Why Proprioception Is Essential at Every Age
In Children
Supports coordination and motor development
Helps with balance during running, climbing, and sport
Contributes to body awareness, posture, and confidence
Plays a role in learning and attention
Children who struggle with proprioception may appear clumsy, avoid physical play, or fatigue easily.
In Active Adults
Reduces injury risk
Improves athletic performance
Enhances reaction time and joint stability
Supports efficient movement patterns
This is especially important for runners, surfers, gym-goers, and weekend warriors.
In Older Adults
Critical for fall prevention
Maintains independence
Supports walking confidence and reaction speed
Helps reduce fear of movement
Even subtle proprioceptive decline can significantly affect quality of life.
What Happens When Proprioception Is Impaired?
If proprioceptive receptors are injured, inflamed, or under-stimulated, communication between the joints and brain becomes less accurate.
This can lead to:
Poor balance
Joint instability
Altered posture
Reduced coordination
Increased injury risk
A common example is ankle sprains. Research consistently shows that people are more likely to re-sprain an ankle after injury — not because it’s “weak,” but because proprioception within the joint has been disrupted.
Many people say:
“I just don’t trust that ankle anymore.”
That lack of trust is neurological.
Why Proprioception Matters to Chiropractors
As chiropractors, we don’t just look at muscles or bones — we look at how the nervous system is communicating with the body.
Joint dysfunction (sometimes called restriction or reduced mobility) can:
Reduce proprioceptive input to the brain
Alter motor control
Change how muscles activate
Increase compensation patterns
Chiropractic adjustments provide a strong proprioceptive stimulus to the nervous system. This input helps:
Restore joint motion
Improve sensory feedback
Enhance brain-body communication
Support faster, more coordinated responses
In simple terms:
👉 Better input = better output
Balance, Falls & Injury Prevention
When proprioception is functioning well, the body can respond rapidly to:
Slips
Trips
Uneven surfaces
Unexpected movements
This response often happens before conscious thought.
When proprioceptive feedback is poor, reactions are delayed — increasing the risk of falls or injury. Improving balance isn’t just about strength; it’s about neurological efficiency.
How Chiropractic Care Supports Balance & Proprioception
At Nomad Chiropractic, we assess:
Joint mobility
Postural patterns
Movement symmetry
Balance strategies
Neurological integration
Care may include:
Gentle, targeted spinal and joint adjustments
Movement-based rehabilitation
Balance and proprioceptive exercises
Age-appropriate nervous system support
The goal is to help your nervous system better sense, process, and respond to movement demands.
Signs Your Proprioception May Need Support
Frequent tripping or stumbling
Poor balance on one leg
Recurrent ankle, knee, or shoulder injuries
Feeling “off” or uncoordinated
Difficulty with sports or uneven surfaces
Reduced confidence in movement
These signs are not something to ignore — they’re valuable clues.
When Should You Get Checked?
If you:
Feel clumsy or unsteady
Have recurring injuries
Know your balance “should be better”
Want to improve movement confidence
A proactive assessment can make a meaningful difference.
Balance & Proprioception FAQ
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Absolutely! Research suggests chiropractic adjustments can influence proprioceptive input and sensorimotor integration, which may contribute to improved balance and coordination.
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No. Balance issues can occur at any age and are often related to injury history, joint dysfunction, posture, or nervous system stress.
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Not at all. Many people with balance issues experience no pain — only instability or lack of confidence in movement.
If balance, coordination, or injury prevention matters to you — now is the time to act. Chiropractic care may help restore joint communication, improve proprioceptive feedback, and support a more confident, resilient body.
Want to learn more? Book a FREE 15min discovery call with one of our Proprioception Experts! Lets talk about your balance: Book HERE
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Proske U, Gandevia SC. The proprioceptive senses: their roles in signaling body shape, body position and movement. Physiol Rev.
Han J et al. The effect of spinal manipulation on sensorimotor integration. J Manipulative Physiol Ther.
Freeman MA et al. The etiology and prevention of functional instability of the foot. J Bone Joint Surg.
Ashton-Miller JA, et al. Falls in older adults: biomechanical and neurological factors. Annu Rev Biomed Eng.
Lephart SM et al. Proprioception and neuromuscular control in joint stability. Sports Med.
Haavik H, Murphy B. The role of spinal manipulation in sensorimotor integration. J Electromyogr Kinesiol.
Gruber M, et al. Neuromuscular training and proprioception. Sports Med.
ICPA Research Foundation – Neurological models of chiropractic care
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare – Falls and balance data
McPartland JM et al. Chiropractic and the nervous system. Chiropr Osteopat.
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The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and is not intended to replace advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health professional. Chiropractic care may support joint mobility, movement quality, balance, and nervous system function; however, individual results vary, and no specific outcomes can be guaranteed.
Chiropractic care does not claim to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Any references to balance, proprioception, or nervous system function are based on current research and clinical observation and should not be interpreted as medical claims.
If you have concerns about your health, balance, neurological symptoms, or risk of falls, you should seek advice from your GP, medical specialist, or other appropriately qualified healthcare provider. Chiropractic care may be used as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to health.
