Why the cerebellum matters
The cerebellum is the brain’s coordination and fine-tuning centre. It constantly receives information from muscles, joints, and the spine to help the body move smoothly and accurately. Research led by Dr Heidi Haavik and colleagues has shown that spinal adjustments can influence how the cerebellum processes sensory feedback and refines motor control — an important finding for both rehabilitation and performance.
What the research explored
Using a combination of functional MRI (fMRI) and EEG, researchers studied changes in brain activity before and after chiropractic adjustments. They discovered that manipulating restricted spinal segments modifies the way the brain — especially the cerebellum and sensorimotor cortex — interprets proprioceptive input from the body. This can have downstream effects on coordination, balance, and timing.
Key findings
- Spinal adjustments caused measurable increases in cerebellar and sensorimotor cortical activity, reflecting improved processing of body-position information.
- Changes in functional connectivity between the cerebellum and cortical motor areas suggest enhanced neural communication and coordination.
- Participants demonstrated improved movement accuracy and joint control following adjustments.
- These effects appeared quickly and persisted beyond the immediate treatment window, supporting a neuroplastic mechanism.
Clinical significance
Healthy cerebellar function is essential for balance, posture, and precision. By improving the quality of sensory information reaching the brain, chiropractic adjustments may enhance cerebellar processing and motor learning — helping patients move more efficiently and confidently.
In practice
- We assess balance, coordination, and control as indicators of cerebellar and spinal function.
- Adjustments are used to normalise spinal motion and feedback to the brain.
- Post-care reassessment often includes balance or coordination tasks to observe functional improvement.
Read the study: Changes in Cerebellar and Sensorimotor Cortical Activity Following Spinal Manipulation: An fMRI Study
This summary reflects current research in neurophysiology and chiropractic science. It is intended for educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as a medical claim or diagnosis.
