Musculoskeletal structures (ligaments, joints, disks, muscles, etc.) are constantly subjected to biomechanical forces such as tension, torsion, compression or shear.  When functional capacity is less than work or activity demands, microfailure (fatigue) occurs.  It is generally believed that repetitive loading causes failure because of fatigue of the various tissues. There is a relationship between external load (stress) and tissue deformation (strain).  Loading of biologic tissue produces a characteristic stress/strain relationship demonstrating the amount of stress required producing a set amount of strain.  Only 4% deformation is necessary to cause microfailure. After prolonged or repeated loading-sometimes just 15 minutes-tissue creep will occur, resulting from the gradual rearrangement of collagen fibers, proteoglycans and water in the ligaments, tendons, and joint capsules which may be stressed. (Bogduk N, Twomey LT: Clinical Anatomy of the Lumbar Spine.  2^nd Ed. Churchill Livingstone, Melbourne, 1991)

Achieving and maintaining structural balance, alignment and flexibility are strong deterrents to the accumulation of strains and stress that when left uncared for eventually wear people and their bodies down. This form of wellness may not add years to your life but will definitely add life to your years.  Modern society overstresses the postural function of muscle thus creating an ideal terrain for muscle imbalance to develop. Mobility is reduced and movement in constrained postures is performed repetitively leading to static overstrain and cumulative trauma.

Body position, coordination and movement primarily is controlled by the communication via mechanoreceptor nerves within soft tissues such as muscle, ligaments, discs and joint capsules.  The information sent by these nerves from these tissues enters the central nervous system, is interpreted and resulting information is sent back out of the central nervous system to muscular tissues to respond accordingly.  Gravity, repetitive motion, constrained postures and other physical trauma can alter this feedback loop causing inappropriate long-term changes in proprioception.  Poor muscle tone and balance results with increased pressure on joint surfaces, and altered movement patterns.  All this can occur without any conscious perception by the individual.  After varying lengths of time, abnormal movement patterns, excessive pressure and tension can initiate significant irritation to pain nerves (nociceptors) causing conscious symptoms.

• Proprioception and tissues involved
• What alters proprioception
• Negative effects of altered proprioception
• Decreased proprioception and effect on brain function
• Ways to improve proprioception
• How adjustments improve proprioception
• Functional Changes due to Adjustments