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Why Do We Check Reflexes?

Dec 10, 2020

During our initial exam at Thrive Family Chiropractic, we always check reflexes. You know, that hammer thing that you see in cartoons? When the doctor hits your knee and the leg kicks out. But what does that mean? How it it used for diagnostic purposes?


In our office we use reflexes as a way to map out where there is distress in the spine and nerves. When bones move out of proper alignment in the spine, they can compress the spinal nerves that are supplying the skin, muscles and joints downstream from it. For example, when you hit your funny bone, you get that nerve sensation down into your pinky. That is because the nerve that supplies the pinky finger passes through the elbow. Before the elbow, that nerve exited the spine at the level of your cervical (neck) bone #7. Each area of the spine has very specific designation to a body part. Just like C7 travels all the way from the neck to the pinky.


The most common reflexes to be weak are usually from nerves exiting the low back. Most likely caused by the severe compressive load we put on our low backs day after day. Those especially who sit a lot for their job commonly experience weak reflexes in their lower legs. If you follow the red nerves in this image, you will see exactly where the nerves from the low back travel to. This is why we use reflexes as a way to locate the most severe nerve compression. When we tap the tendons of the knee and ankle and watch the response, it will tell you exactly where the problem is in the spine!




Common problems associated with damaged spinal nerves:


  • tingling/numbness
  • muscle weakness
  • muscle atrophy
  • spine pain
  • chronically sprained ankles
  • "bad knees"
  • dropped plantar arches
  • excessive tripping/falling
  • sciatica
  • carpal tunnel
  • headaches
  • infertility
  • sexual dysfunction
  • menstrual discomfort
  • digestive issues
  • asthma/breathing problems


Checking your reflexes is not something you can do on our own. It must be administered by a doctor with experience in neurology. Thrive Family Chiropractic has extensive knowledge with healing nerves that have been injured. It is common in our practice to see nerves heal quickly and reflexes get restored.


Remember, your reflexes are a window into the health of your body! If your reflexes are lacking in their function, so is your inner health. You don't have to have terrible symptoms for your body to be asking for help. Let us at Thrive Family Chiropractic listen to your health needs and create a plan to get your health where you want it!

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