Sunset Chiropractic Clinic

Back Issues

HOW CAN I TELL IF I NEED AN ADJUSTMENT?

Many of you have probably wondered how you can tell when it's time to "get your spine in line". Many of you wait for pain to be your guide. Some of you get your spines checked on a routine basis, as you would see a dentist, to avoid problems. Some of you can tell when your spine is getting out of alignment because you get some symptom unique to you, such as a foot flaring out when you walk or an eye twitch.

Research from UCLA suggests a very simple test to tell whether or not it's time to visit your friendly chiropractor. Eighty-five percent of the information your brain needs to monitor your position in relation to gravity comes from your eyes. If you have a healthy spine and the other 15% of information flowing up and down your spinal cord is not impeded by spinal misalignments, you should be able to stand on one foot with your eyes closed for 22 seconds without losing your balance.

Being unable to perform this simple test may not be the only sign that you need an adjustment, but it's a good way to detect if you're starting to get a problem with your spine. And, of course, it's less painful and less expensive to take care of these problems in the early stages!