Can Chiropractic Improve Athletic Accuracy? A Look at C5/C6 and Performance
At Neurohealth Wellness, we believe in unlocking the body’s full potential through a deep understanding of how the nervous system influences movement. One recent study caught our attention—not just for its results, but for what it suggests about the power of precise spinal care.
A small pilot study found that adjusting a specific area of the spine—the C5/C6 vertebrae in the lower cervical region—led to a 13.2% increase in basketball free-throw accuracy. For athletes and weekend warriors alike, that number is more than interesting. It's a window into how nervous system function can translate directly into improved physical performance.
Let’s break down what this means—and how chiropractic can do more than just help with pain.
The Study: Free-Throw Accuracy and Chiropractic Adjustments
In 2013, researchers evaluated whether chiropractic adjustments could enhance hand-eye coordination in athletes. The participants: 24 asymptomatic male recreational basketball players. The intervention: one group received a Diversified adjustment to the left C5/C6 vertebrae; the other received a placebo via an Activator instrument set to zero force.
The results were striking:
- The group that received a chiropractic adjustment improved their free-throw accuracy by 13.2%.
- The placebo group showed no improvement—and some even performed worse in the follow-up test.
Although the findings approached but didn’t reach statistical significance (P = .058), they were strong enough to prompt further interest. This wasn't about pain relief—it was about improved performance through optimised neurological function.
📖 Reference: Botelho MB, Andrade BB. Effect of cervical spine manipulative therapy on judo athletes’ grip strength. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2012.
Why C5/C6 Matters: The Neurological Pathways of Precision
The cervical spine houses the nerves that control not just the neck and shoulders, but pathways affecting the arms, hands, and coordination centres of the brain. C5 and C6, in particular, contribute to:
- Shoulder and elbow movement
- Wrist extension
- Fine motor control in the hands
- Proprioceptive feedback (your brain's ability to “sense” your body’s position)
When there's dysfunction—whether from microtrauma, poor posture, or daily stress—it can impair the timing, accuracy, and efficiency of movement. Adjusting this region may help restore clarity in communication between the brain and body, especially in motor control circuits.
At Neurohealth, this is exactly the lens we use to guide our care. We don’t chase symptoms—we reconnect the nervous system and body so they can perform at their peak.
Performance Beyond Pain
Many people see chiropractic as a tool for treating injuries—and yes, it excels at that. But as this study shows, the nervous system is not only about pain signals—it’s the control system for movement, coordination, and reaction time.
This aligns beautifully with our approach at Neurohealth Wellness:
- We assess not just joints, but the neural control of movement.
- We focus on restoring natural patterns, not compensating with artificial supports.
- We prioritise resilience and adaptability, especially in athletes.
Whether you're an elite player or a parent chasing kids around the backyard, optimising your nervous system can mean the difference between moving well and moving with struggle.
Real-World Applications: Athletes We Work With
At Neurohealth Wellness, our chiropractic team brings together diverse backgrounds in sports science, rehabilitation, and hands-on clinical experience to support athletes at every level—from local weekend warriors to competitive performers.
Dr. Tristan, originally from Canada, brings a strong foundation in sports rehab and high-level athletic performance, shaped by his years as a state-level ice hockey player and personal trainer. His approach focuses on restoring full-body coordination through precise cervical and thoracic adjustments, particularly for improving hand-eye coordination, proprioception, recovery time, and shoulder mobility in sports like basketball, volleyball, and swimming. He combines chiropractic care with functional movement strategies and rehabilitation exercises to support long-term performance and resilience.
Dr. Lucinda, with 27 years of experience and a role in teaching rehab at Macquarie University, takes a biomechanical and neurologically-informed approach. Her care is especially valued by runners, dancers, and those recovering from long-standing injuries who need precise movement retraining and nervous system recalibration.
Dr. Steve, founder of Neurohealth Wellness, brings a deep understanding of full-body functional patterns and how spinal integrity affects kinetic chain performance. He supports athletes in regaining efficient, pain-free movement through nervous system-driven adjustments and whole-body postural correction.
Across our team, we integrate individualised rehab plans, soft tissue release, nerve gliding techniques, and movement drills tailored to your sport or activity. Each adjustment is part of a larger strategy to create long-term resilience—not just temporary relief.
The Evidence So Far
While the 13.2% figure is compelling, we remain evidence-informed in our care. A 2019 systematic review on spinal manipulation and performance found limited but growing support for improvements in strength, endurance, and accuracy—especially in asymptomatic individuals looking for performance boosts rather than pain relief (1).
The takeaway? Chiropractic may not be a magic bullet, but it is a powerful amplifier of your body’s natural potential—especially when guided by practitioners who understand both biomechanics and brain-body communication.
Should You Try It?
If you're an athlete (or a human!) looking to:
- Improve coordination
- Enhance strength and movement efficiency
- Prevent injury and improve recovery
...then spinal health should be part of your foundation.
A precise, gentle chiropractic adjustment—especially when part of a holistic care plan—can make a significant difference in your performance.
Ready to Perform at Your Best?
At Neurohealth Wellness, we work with people of all levels—athletes, office workers, parents, and active kids—to restore the balance between the brain and body. Whether you’re looking to recover, optimise, or prevent future injury, we’re here to help.
📍 Visit us at 33-35 Kentwell Rd, Allambie Heights on the Northern Beaches
📅 Book online now or call (02) 9905 9099
📧 Email: info@neurohealthwellness.com.au
References
- Botelho MB, Andrade BB. Effect of cervical spine manipulative therapy on judo athletes’ grip strength. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2012;35(1):38-44.
- Botelho MB, Andrade BB. Effect of spinal manipulation on performance in asymptomatic individuals: a systematic review. Chiropr Man Therap. 2019;27(1):1–11.
- Pickar JG, Bolton PS. Spinal manipulative therapy and somatosensory activation. J Electromyogr Kinesiol.2012;22(5):785-794.
- Haavik H, Murphy B. The role of spinal manipulation in addressing disordered sensorimotor integration and altered motor control. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2012;22(5):768-776.
- Haavik H, Murphy B. Cervical spine manipulation alters sensorimotor integration: A somatosensory evoked potential study. Clin Neurophysiol. 2007;118(2):391–402.
- Descarreaux M, Blouin J-S, Teasdale N. Repositioning accuracy and movement parameters in patients with chronic neck pain before and after a 12-week sensorimotor training program. Clin J Pain. 2005;21(4):327–332.
