Abstract
M. Tech.
It has been noted in the literature that the sensory system consists of the visual, vestibular and
somatosensory systems (Guyton and Hall, 1997; Arnold and Schmitz, 1998; Murphy, 2000; Nakata
and Yabe, 2001; Magee, 2002 and Gatterman, 2004). In congruence with the above authors Katz
(1996), Gatterman (2004) and Murphy (2000), Morningstar, Pettibon, Schlappi, Schlapp and Ireland
(2005) further stated that the postural reflexes can be subcategorised as the following: visual
righting reflex, labyrinthine righting reflexes, neck righting reflexes, body on head righting reflexes
and body on body righting reflexes. Each of these neurological mechanisms plays a role in balance /
equilibrium. Furthermore it has been shown that spinal manipulative therapy has an effect on
neurological systems. Therefore it stands to reason that spinal manipulative therapy may have an
effect on balance or equilibrium.