Accidentally On Purpose
By Dr. Nigel Rowe, Chiropractor
Have you ever pulled your hand away from a hot stove before you even realised it was burning? Or instinctively blinked when something flew towards your face? These lightning-fast reactions aren’t conscious decisions; they’re reflexes, built-in mechanisms designed to protect your body from harm.
Reflexes are automatic, involuntary responses triggered by your nervous system. They bypass the brain to ensure an immediate reaction, often occurring faster than your mind can register the danger. In a way, they happen “accidentally on purpose”! Our reflexes are designed for speed, precision, and safety.
But here’s the interesting bit…
Reflexes can also tell us a lot about how well your nervous system is functioning!
Why Chiropractors Care About Reflexes:
As chiropractors, we assess more than just joints and muscles. We take a broader look at the integrity of your nervous system! Reflexes offer us a valuable window into this system. Are they functioning normally? Overreactive? Diminished? These responses can reveal deeper imbalances that may be affecting your overall health and wellbeing.
When we perform a neurological assessment in clinic, we test certain reflexes to determine how well your body is communicating with itself. For example, a hyperactive reflex might suggest heightened stress responses, while a sluggish or absent reflex could indicate impaired nerve signalling or interference in the nervous system.
When Reflexes Become Abnormal
A well-functioning nervous system maintains a balance between activation and inhibition. Problems can arise when the body becomes stuck in a persistent stress response; what we often refer to as the “fight, flight or freeze” mode. In these cases, patients may notice symptoms like muscle tightness that doesn’t resolve, poor sleep, irritability, anxiety, or recurring pain that seems disconnected from any obvious injury.
Reflex testing can also uncover signs of poor descending inhibition—this is your brain’s way of telling your body to “calm down.” When this system isn’t working well, the body may overreact to everyday stimuli, resulting in heightened pain responses, excessive muscle guarding, or even chronic inflammation.
Chiropractic and the Nervous System
At its core, chiropractic care is about supporting the health of your spine and nervous system. Misalignments or joint dysfunctions can interfere with normal signalling pathways, contributing to abnormal reflexes and a host of downstream issues. Through gentle adjustments and personalised care, we aim to restore proper communication between your brain and body—supporting your natural reflexes, not working against them.
If you’ve been feeling unusually reactive, tense, or like your body’s constantly in overdrive, it could be your nervous system waving a little red flag. A thorough chiropractic assessment could help identify what’s going on—and more importantly, what can be done to help.
Dr Nigel Rowe is a chiropractor with a special interest in the nervous system’s role in pain, stress, and overall function. If you’re noticing signs of nervous system overload or feel like something’s just not right, book a checkup to find out how we can help you bring things back into balance, on purpose.
