When you visit your local chiropractor, you may have heard the term subluxation. For those not in the chiropractic industry, this term may sound odd. Keep reading to discover what a spinal subluxation is, what the common symptoms and causes are, and how chiropractors can help treat this common issue. 

What Is a Spinal Subluxation?

Subluxation describes a joint that does not work properly, such as being restrictive or misaligned. A common subluxation is the vertebrae of the spine, also known as a spinal subluxation. When a vertebrae is misaligned, this puts pressure on the nerve roots within the spine and can reduce the function of the nerve signals between the body and brain. Chiropractors often find that spinal subluxations are the root source of several health conditions from back pain to stress. However, people can also suffer from other types of subluxations in their feet, ribs, shoulders, wrists, and other areas of the body. If a patient’s subluxations are not treated, this can cause unbalance in the body.

What Are the Common Symptoms?

There are several symptoms that can indicate that you have a spine subluxation. While every patient is unique, there are some common symptoms to look out for. 

• Back or Neck Pain: If a patient has continual back or neck pain, this may be caused by a spinal subluxation. The patient may experience pain that starts in the upper back and moves up through the neck. The pain level can range from mild to sharp, intense pain.
• Headaches: Headaches can also be an indicator of a subluxation. These headaches may occur from pressure that builds up due to an untreated misalignment. This pressure continues to build upward until it reaches the patient’s base of their head. As a result, this can lead to tension headaches that occur out of nowhere.
• Reduced Mobility: Subluxations can also cause a patient to experience muscle stiffness and reduced mobility. Patients may find it challenging to perform daily tasks as a result of this restrictive movement. Indeed, this prevents people from doing what they love to do. 

Subluxations can also cause joint inflammation, muscle tenderness, numbness, and burning sensations.

What Are the Common Causes of Subluxations?

A misalignment can happen to anyone at any time. The causes of spinal subluxations vary for each patient. However, there are a few main causes that chiropractors usually find. As always, we recommend that you visit a licensed chiropractor to determine the true source of your health issues.

Trauma

One of the most common causes of subluxations is trauma. This can be caused by various injuries, such as falls, car accidents, or sports injuries. Aside from major injuries, micro-traumas that occur in everyday life can also lead to spine misalignments. Certain daily habits can lead to these micro-trauma injuries, such as sleeping on your stomach, wearing a purse on only one side of your body, looking down at a digital device for several hours a day, and wearing high heels on a regular basis. 

Toxins

Within your body, there are both natural and artificial chemicals. The goal is to maintain balance with these chemicals. However, this can be difficult due to the exposure of air pollution, chemicals used in the house (i.e. for cleaning, beauty, crafts, etc.), and processed foods. This imbalance within the body can cause the muscles to contract and contribute towards having a subluxation.

Stress

Stress is a major concern among children and adults. When a person experiences frequent stress, this can lead to tension in the body, including the back, neck, and shoulders. As those muscles become tight due to stress, they can cause a subluxation. 

How Can a Chiropractor Help Treat Spinal Subluxations? 

If you think your symptoms may be due to a subluxation, it’s recommended that you contact your local chiropractor. This holistic expert has the training and experience necessary to identify the source of your health conditions. Indeed, there is a good chance that a spine subluxation is the cause. Luckily, chiropractors are highly trained at performing safe and effective adjustments designed to treat these misalignments. Overtime, this treatment will restore your spine to proper alignment. This means you will no longer have unnecessary pressure being placed on your joints. If you’re looking for the best Parker chiropractor near you, contact Awaken Chiropractic today. We would love to help you awaken your health through our advanced chiropractic care!