It’s very likely that, at one point or another, your spine has been out of alignment. This can happen for a variety of reasons and can cause all sorts of different issues. But how can you tell if your spine is out of alignment? In this article, we will review the 5 most common signs that your spine is misaligned.
Sign #1: Chronic Back and Neck Pain
One of the most telltale signs of a misaligned spine is chronic, severe back and/or neck pain.
When the spine is out of alignment, the nerves of the body are unable to conduct impulses as effectively as they could with a properly aligned spine. Specifically, these misalignments are known as subluxations, and one of the most effective ways to reduce these subluxations is through the use of chiropractic adjustments.
If you’ve been suffering from pain in your spine and can’t seem to find relief, it may be time to consult with your chiropractor!
Sign #2: Weakness and Numbness in the Feet or Hands
When a spinal misalignment occurs, patients will often experience numbness, tingling, and/or weakness in their extremities. This is due to the fact that the nerves on the sides of the spinal cord can become pinched by a subluxation, preventing their signals from reaching the furthest points on the body.
Sciatica is a specific example of this issue. In many cases of sciatica, a patient will experience pain, weakness, and tingling down one or both legs. By correcting the spinal misalignment which led to the sciatica symptoms, the patient will often experience almost instantaneous relief.
Another common example of a spinal misalignment that can cause hand numbness is a cervical radiculopathy. With cervical radiculopathies, patients will often notice that their grip strength has decreased, along with experiencing numbness and pain throughout their arms and hands.
By identifying the area of the spine that is misaligned, your chiropractor can perform a targeted adjustment, often clearing up your symptoms quickly.
Sign #3: One Leg Feels Longer Than the Other
A leg length discrepancy can be a sign that your spine is misaligned. In some cases, a patient may actually have one leg that is longer than the other. However, much of the time, leg length discrepancies occur due to spinal subluxations and misalignments.
To correct a leg length discrepancy, your chiropractor will need to perform a detailed evaluation, and may even take some x-rays to determine the extent of the issue. From there, she can then devise a treatment plan and perform the most suitable adjustments for your particular ailment.
Sign #4: You’re Constantly Getting Sick
Sometimes, a sign of a spinal misalignment can be something less obvious than the other musculoskeletal issues on this list. Our nervous systems are intimately connected with our immune systems. As a result, when our spines slip out of alignment, we may be more susceptible to getting sick.
Through regular chiropractic adjustments, you ensure that your spine is in the best position possible to provide input to your immune system.
Sign #5: You Experience Regular Headaches
If you are dealing with endless, painful headaches, a spinal misalignment may be to blame. When the neck and/or upper back are out of alignment, pain can frequently radiate up to the head.
As anyone who suffers from headaches can attest, the pressure and pain make it nearly impossible to focus and get through the day.
At Awaken Chiropractic, your friendly, professional, Parker chiropractor, we are committed to helping our patients reduce their symptoms and return to their daily activities. If you think your spine may be out of alignment, book your appointment today.
