Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar
Round Spine Logo

Lindy Johnson, D.C.

(281) 894-5020

Open mobile navigation
  • Home
  • New Patient Center
    • Online Forms
      • New Patient Intake Form
    • What to Expect
      • Your First Visit
      • Phase 1: Relief Care
      • Phase 2: Corrective Care
      • Phase 3: Wellness Care
    • Health Resources
    • Payment Options
  • About Us
    • Meet the Doctor
    • Meet the Team
  • Services & Techniques
  • Testimonials
  • Contact Us
    • Appointment Request
  • Blog
  • Community Content
    • About Chiropractic Care
      • What is Chiropractic
      • How Does it Work
      • Who is Chiropractic For
      • Vertebral Subluxation
      • Wellness Resources
    • Common Conditions Treated
      • Auto Accident Injuries
      • Back and Shoulder Pain
      • Body Pain
      • Chronic Condition Relief
        • Conditions Affecting Women
        • Headaches
      • Herniated Discs
      • Improved Health
      • Pediatric Ailments
      • Repetitive Use Injuries
      • Respiratory Function
    • Health & Wellness
      • Healthy Thinking
        • Get Positive
        • Relaxation Techniques
      • Life in Motion
      • Wellness Lifestyle Tips
        • Treat Yourself Well
        • Treat Others Well
        • Eat Well
      • Wellness Essentials
        • At Home
        • At Work
        • Exercise
        • Nutrition
        • What You Wear
      • Wellness Perspectives
        • Mental
        • Spiritual
        • Social
        • Physical
    • Therapies & Techniques
      • Techniques
      • Therapies
    • Newsletter Library
      • Back, Body & Joint Pain
      • Healthy Tips
      • Exercise & Fitness
      • Injury Rehab & Prevention
      • Kid's Health
      • Illness Prevention
      • Chronic Conditions
      • Nutrition & Healthy Eating
      • Breaking Bad Habits
      • Senior Health
      • Weight Loss
      • Pregnancy & Parenting
      • Wellness
      • Mind-Body Connection
      • Stress & Anxiety
      • Life-Work Balance
      • Staying Young
      • Staying Motivated
    • Wellness4Kids
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletter Library >
  • Healthy Tips >
  • Proprioception - Making Your Body Smarter

Proprioception - Making Your Body Smarter

We usually don't think of our bodies in terms of their being "smart." For example, we walk to the corner store without giving a single thought to the complex mechanics involved in getting there and back. But behind the scenes there's plenty going on and your body's "IQ" has a lot to do with your success in accomplishing everyday tasks.
Proprioception is one of those background physical processes that make up your body's total IQ. Proprioceptors are specialized nerve endings located in your muscles and joints that inform your brain about your body's position in three-dimensional space. You're able to write legibly because proprioceptors are sending instantaneous data about the angles of the small joints of your fingers and wrists as your pen moves across the page. You're able to run on the beach because proprioceptors are continuously sending signals to your brain about the changing shape of the uneven surface of the sand.1
Without these specialized nerve endings, we'd never be able to hit a baseball, throw a Frisbee, or drive a car. But proprioceptors can be smart or less than that. It all depends on how well-trained they are. One person out for a stroll might trip over a crack in the pavement and suffer a badly sprained ankle. Another person might trip over the same crack, even badly turning over their ankle in the process, and keep on walking without even a trace of a limp.
The difference between injury and non-injury is the level of proprioceptor training, and this level usually is related to whether you're doing regular exercise.2 Exercise trains your muscles and joints to adapt to varying kinds of stresses (weight-bearing loads) throughout a variety of positions (the full range of motion of those joints). As a result, trained proprioceptors can withstand a high degree of stress (such as a sudden twisting of an ankle). The untrained ankle, possibly the ankle of a person who hasn't done much walking, running, or bike riding in the last 5 years, will be damaged by an unusual and unexpected stress. The result is an ankle sprain of varying severity and possibly a broken ankle.
Similarly, it is well known that older adults experience more frequent falls than do younger adults. Part of the explanation involves proprioception.3 Many older adults don't engage in regular exercise. Proprioceptive function decreases, changes in level or surface aren't recognized quickly by the person's feet and ankles, and the person falls.
It's easy to see that the effort to maintain your body's IQ is time very well spent. The fastest way to boost this skill set is by doing regular exercise. All kinds of exercise provide benefit, so the best exercises are the ones that have some interest for you personally. Optimally, a person is doing both strength training and cardiovascular exercise. As always, the key to long-term health and wellness is consistency.
1Wong JD, et al: Can proprioceptive training improve motor learning? J Neurophysiol 2012 Sep 12 [Epub ahead of print]
2Ferreira ML, et al: Physical activity improves strength, balance and endurance in adults aged 40-65 years: a systematic review. J Physiother 58(3):145-156, 2012
3Howe TE, et al: Exercise for improving balance in older people. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2011 Nov 9(11):CD004963.
  • About Chiropractic Care
    • What is Chiropractic
    • How Does it Work
    • Who is Chiropractic For
    • Vertebral Subluxation
    • Wellness Resources
  • Common Conditions Treated
    • Auto Accident Injuries
    • Back and Shoulder Pain
    • Body Pain
    • Chronic Condition Relief
      • Conditions Affecting Women
      • Headaches
    • Herniated Discs
    • Improved Health
    • Pediatric Ailments
    • Repetitive Use Injuries
    • Respiratory Function
  • Health & Wellness
    • Healthy Thinking
      • Get Positive
      • Relaxation Techniques
    • Life in Motion
    • Wellness Lifestyle Tips
      • Treat Yourself Well
      • Treat Others Well
      • Eat Well
    • Wellness Essentials
      • At Home
      • At Work
      • Exercise
      • Nutrition
      • What You Wear
    • Wellness Perspectives
      • Mental
      • Spiritual
      • Social
      • Physical
  • Therapies & Techniques
    • Techniques
    • Therapies
  • Newsletter Library
    • Back, Body & Joint Pain
    • Healthy Tips
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Injury Rehab & Prevention
    • Kid's Health
    • Illness Prevention
    • Chronic Conditions
    • Nutrition & Healthy Eating
    • Breaking Bad Habits
    • Senior Health
    • Weight Loss
    • Pregnancy & Parenting
    • Wellness
    • Mind-Body Connection
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Life-Work Balance
    • Staying Young
    • Staying Motivated
  • Wellness4Kids

New Patient Exam with Adjustment $35

Limited Time Offer Sign up now!

Featured Services

Exclusive Services for our Patients

  • Make An Appointment

    We'll do our best to work with your busy schedule. Schedule an appointment today!
  • Services

    We strive to provide complete care for our patients. Learn more about all the services we provide.
  • Online Forms

    Our patient forms are available online so they can be completed in the convenience of your home.

Office Hours

Monday:

9:00 am-11:00 am

3:00 pm-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

Closed

Wednesday:

3:00 pm-5:00 pm

9:00 am-11:00 am

Thursday:

Closed

Friday:

9:00 AM-11:00 am

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Our Locations

Testimonials

Reviews From our Satisfied Patients

  • "Review: After ten weeks of dealing with "colic" and reflux my baby boy is a completely different baby! He has not spit up or vomited once since his treatment from Dr. Lindy! He use to cry from 5pm-9pm every night for what seemed like no reason. He smiles all evening, now!"
    Samantha Hall, October 3rd, 2012
  • "Review: I think that Dr. Lindy Johnson is great. She is doing a good job of relieving my back/neck/arm pain. She really seems to care about me. I would recommend her to any of my friends who are looking for a chiropractor. Her staff is also very nice and caring."
    Kandi Fuchs, Barker Cypress, May 8th, 2012
  • "Review: Lindy Johnson and her staff is great. I love how they treat you like a person and not a number.She's great at helping with the pain naturally and no medication. It's a great long term affect. I highly recommend her office."
    trisha kassmya, 249, February 27th, 2012

Featured Articles

Read about interesting topics

  • June Newsletter: Chiropractic Care for Whiplash

    Suffering from whiplash? Chiropractic care could ease your neck pain. ...

    Read More
  • June Newsletter: How Your Chiropractor Can Help with Knee Pain

    Have you considered chiropractic care for your knee pain? ...

    Read More
  • May Newsletter: Your Chiropractor Can Help You Recover from Sports Injuries

    Suffering from a sports injury? Find out how chiropractic can help. ...

    Read More
  • May Newsletter: Is Your Spine Ready for Summer?

    Would you like to avoid back pain this summer? ...

    Read More
  • April Newsletter: Chiropractic Can Help You Stay Fit as You Age

    Want to stay active no matter what your age? Chiropractic can help. ...

    Read More
  • April Newsletter: Is Your Back Ready for Spring? Visit a Chiropractor!

    Got a stiff, sore back? Chiropractic can help you get ready for an active spring. ...

    Read More
  • March Newsletter: How Chiropractic Helps Patients with Scoliosis

    Could chiropractic treatment help your scoliosis pain? ...

    Read More
  • March Newsletter: The Key Differences between Chiropractors and Osteopaths

    Not sure if you should see an osteopath or chiropractor? ...

    Read More
  • February Newsletter: Stay Active This Winter

    Staying active during the winter offers important benefits for your health. ...

    Read More
  • February Newsletter: Promoting Your Body's Natural Energy

    Want to feel more energetic? Chiropractic could help. ...

    Read More

Newsletter Signup

Sign Up Today

Follow Us

  • Copyright © 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map