If you are looking for a way to improve your overall health, you need to focus on your balance and coordination. Also known as proprioception, issues with your coordination could be one of the biggest reasons why you are having a hard time maintaining your balance. There are a lot of people who feel like proprioception is natural, but there are ways you can improve it. Learn more about proprioception below, and do not forget to reach out to a local chiropractor who can help you.
What Is Proprioception?
When someone is talking about proprioception, they are referring to the ability to figure out where your body parts are positioned in space. For example, if you ever hear someone talking about hand-eye coordination when they hit a baseball or tennis ball, they are talking about proprioception. Or, if you hear someone mention that they are having a difficult time maintaining their balance, this refers to an issue with proprioception.
Essentially, proprioception refers to your ability to accurately figure out where your joints and limbs are positioned in space. In addition, this includes your ability to figure out the angle at which you are holding your arm or legs. Then, when you move your arms and legs in space, proprioception gives you the ability to track them as they move through the external environment.
How Can You Improve Your Proprioception?
You need to focus on improving your proprioception because it can boost your performance when you play sports and reduce the potential for injuries. For example, improving proprioception can help you track a baseball, remain upright when you play football, and dodge other players when you play soccer or lacrosse. Furthermore, if you improve your proprioception, you can reduce your chances of falling, further reducing your chances of suffering an injury.
You may have heard that the best way to get better at something is to practice. That is true when it comes to proprioception. You may want to start by balancing on one foot. Then, if you want to make it harder, you can use weights to change your arms in space while remaining upright. Then, do not forget to work on your balance and agility by performing footwork drills. If you want a well-rounded routine that can help you improve proprioception, you may want to perform plyometrics, such as lateral hops, that can improve your reaction time and prevent ligament sprains.
Visit the Chiropractor for Adjustments
If you want your ligaments, tendons, and nerves to work properly, you need to visit the chiropractor for adjustments as well. One of the reasons why you might be having a hard time tracking your movements and face is that your ligaments, tendons, and joints aren't quite where they are supposed to be. A chiropractor can help you address this issue. She can take a look at your joints, figure out if they are out of alignment, use adjustments to ensure everything is aligned properly, and provide balance exercises to facilitate these changes. That way, your muscles and ligaments work as intended, and you will have an easier time with your coordination.
However, the most powerful part of a chiropractic adjustment is its ability to reset your nervous system. By doing so, you'll help improve the flow of nerve impulses throughout the body. For example, a huge part of proprioception comes from the feet. By adjusting the spine as well as the extremities, proprioception has a better chance of improving, especially when combined with balance boards and rockers.
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