Overview

This lens guides every visit. We check how your joints/muscles (proprioception), eyes (visual), and inner ear (vestibular) talk to your brain, then match care to the underlying cause we find—the mobility, control, or tissue-irritability pattern most holding you back. Cleaner sensory input paired with better joint motion helps your brain coordinate movement with less effort, so the plan stays practical and fits your day.

What we assess

  • Sensory input: how joint/muscle, eye, and inner-ear feedback agree—or do not
  • Motor control: timing, coordination, and joint control under load
  • Functional tasks: reach, rotate, stairs, gait—scaled to what you need
  • Recovery factors: breathing mechanics and tolerance to effort/positions
  • Context: your goals, history, and day-to-day demands

For balance-specific testing, protocols, and our risk-of-fall score, see the companion page: Balance & Stability.

When we use it

  • Recurring aches or strains that slip back after rest
  • Neck or shoulder issues tied to headaches, eye strain, or jaw tension
  • Low-back or hip problems driven by control more than raw strength
  • Stiffness or balance concerns limiting daily tasks or confidence
  • Post-injury phases when “it doesn’t feel normal yet,” even after clearance

What to expect

  1. Evaluate — quick joint motion, eye, and balance checks, plus simple functional tasks
  2. Map the cause — clarify whether input, output, or both are limiting progress
  3. Plan — chiropractic adjustments and targeted exercises as appropriate; add Class III laser or ESWT only if it fits
  4. Home plan — short, doable sets you can fit into your day
  5. Track — quick rechecks to confirm what’s helping and adjust as needed

How we measure progress

  • Functional wins you notice—easier stairs, steadier reach, smoother rotation
  • Objective checks when useful—range, coordination timing, or task reps
  • Your report of effort, confidence, and symptom change during daily life
  • Tissue tolerance and range-of-motion rechecks that confirm durability

Evidence snapshot

  • Major back and neck pain guidelines recommend non-pharmacologic care first—education, exercise, and manual therapy when appropriate (ACP 2017; NICE NG59 2020). ACP · NICE NG59
  • Vestibular rehabilitation is effective and safe for unilateral peripheral vestibular dysfunction, which supports the balance and drills we recommend. Cochrane 2015
  • Exercise protocols reduce falls in community settings when balance and functional training are part of the plan (Sherrington 2020; Ng 2019). Sherrington 2020 · Ng 2019
  • Combining targeted exercise with manual therapy is widely recommended for many musculoskeletal complaints, reinforcing our blended approach. ACP 2017

These themes shape every visit: we explain findings in plain language, layer in right-sized movement and manual care first, and coordinate imaging or referrals only when they would change the plan.

Tools we may use

  • Chiropractic adjustments when specific motion is limited
  • Coordination work: sensory drills that sync vision, inner-ear input, and skeletal-driven feedback to address sensory mismatches
  • Task-based exercise progressions with home “micro-sets” matched to your goals

Safety and referrals

Your safety comes first. We screen for red flags, use imaging only when it would change the plan, and coordinate with other providers when needed (e.g., PT, orthopedics, neurology, or primary care).

FAQs

Is this just for balance problems?
No. We use the neurologic lens for many issues where timing, control, or input quality matter. For balance-only details, see Balance & Stability.
Do you still adjust?
Yes, when it fits your needs. Adjustments are one tool in our toolkit, used alongside exercises and other techniques.
Is there a home plan?
Yes, we give you brief, clear routines that fit your schedule. No long workouts or complex exercises.
How quickly will I notice change?
Some feel improvements quickly; others build over weeks. We track what’s helping and adjust as needed.
What if I need another provider?
We’ll tell you if another specialist is a better fit and help coordinate care. Our goal is to get you the right help, not just keep you coming back.
Book on Zocdoc Call (203) 846-3424

References

  • Qaseem A, Wilt TJ, McLean RM, Forciea MA; Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians; Denberg TD, Barry MJ, Boyd C, Chow RD, Fitterman N, Harris RP, Humphrey LL, Vijan S. Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2017 Apr 4;166(7):514-530. doi: 10.7326/M16-2367. Epub 2017 Feb 14. PubMed 28192789
  • NICE Guideline NG59 (Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s; last updated 2020). NICE NG59
  • Sherrington C, Fairhall N, Wallbank G, et al. Exercise for preventing falls in older people living in the community: an abridged Cochrane systematic review. Br J Sports Med. 2020;54(15):885–891. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2019-101512. PubMed 31792067
  • Ng CACM, Fairhall N, Wallbank G, Tiedemann A, Michaleff ZA, Sherrington C. Exercise for falls prevention in community-dwelling older adults: trial and participant characteristics, interventions and bias in clinical trials from a systematic review. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2019 Dec. PubMed 31908838
  • McDonnell MN, Hillier SL. Vestibular rehabilitation for unilateral peripheral vestibular dysfunction. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Jan. PubMed 25581507