Reflexes! What do they tell us and how does your Osteopath use them to diagnose your pain?
You’ve probably seen the way your leg can shoot out when it is given a quick tap under the kneecap. This is one of your reflexes in action! A reflex is an instant and involuntary response to a stimulus. But why does it happen and what can it tell us about how the body is functioning?
What is a reflex arc?
Reflexes happen because of something called a Reflex Arc. This is essentially a loop where the external stimulus (the hammer hitting below the knee cap) causes a message to be passed quickly to the spinal cord and back to the muscle creating the responding leg movement (kicking action). This type of reflex happens so quickly that the message doesn’t even have time to be sent all the way to the brain and back.
Because these reflexes rely on a healthy nerve passing messages to the spinal cord, Osteopaths can use them as a way to help diagnose potential injuries of the spine. We commonly test five different reflexes in the body which helps us build a clinical picture about your condition.
Where are the reflexes found in your body?
A quick tap to the quadriceps tendon (under the kneecap) will test the health of the fourth lumbar (L4) nerve root, while a similar tap on the achilles tendon (at the back of the ankle) provides information about the S1 and S2 (first and second sacral) nerve root.
In the upper limb, the biceps, triceps and radial (just above the wrist) reflexes give us information relating to the C5 and C6 (fifth and sixth cervical), C7 (seventh cervical) and C6 respectively.
How does a reflex help to diagnose your pain?
When we tap these reflex points we are looking for a predictable and symmetrical reaction in response. Reflexes are scored depending on the strength of the contraction. A normal reflex is scored as a +2.
If a reflex is absent or weak (0 or +1) it may indicate a local problem like a disc injury, whereas if a reflex is strong (+3 or +4) it may indicate a problem that originates further up in the brain.
Osteopaths use the examination of reflexes to help us get a clearer picture of what is going on in your spine. We are testing the health of the spinal nerves, which then helps us to build a thorough treatment and management plan to give you the best recovery!
Do I need my reflexes tested?
If you are struggling with back or neck pain which spreads into your arms or legs, then having your reflexes tested can help to isolate where your pain is coming from. It is an easy test that can be part of your regular osteopathic examination and treatment.
Appointment bookings are available on our website here.