Although you have heard the term “subluxation” before, you might not fully understand what it is or the potential damage that it could be causing to your body. To help you understand the term a little better, we wanted to take this opportunity to provide you with a little more information about spinal subluxations.
As a primer, a subluxation is often used to describe a joint that might not be working correctly – usually stemming from a misalignment. While we will be focusing on spinal subluxations in this article, these problems can occur in any joint within the body, most notably in the feet, knees, wrists, and shoulders.
What is a Spinal Subluxation?
When a vertebra in the spine deviates from its normal position, that is known as a spinal subluxation. As these vertebrae become misaligned, they tend to put pressure on the nerve roots found throughout the spine and might decrease the function of nerve signals between the brain and body. If left untreated, a spinal subluxation can result in an unbalance within other parts of the body that rely on those specific vertebras to work properly.
Symptoms of Spinal Subluxation
Since spinal subluxations can impact other parts of the body, it is vital to ensure that they are fixed as soon as possible. But how do you know when a spinal subluxation has occurred? Knowing these signs and symptoms can help you “self-diagnose” a little faster and encourage you to schedule an appointment with your chiropractor.
Common signs a spinal subluxation has occurred include:
- Headaches – When a subluxation is not released, it will continue to build up pressure. This pressure continues to climb in the body until it reaches the base of the skull – resulting in tension headaches that appear without warning.
- Limited Mobility – Spinal subluxations will often result in limited mobility due to muscle stiffness or inflexibility. When this occurs, it may be more challenging to perform easy tasks or limit the movements that you can achieve comfortably.
- Neck or Back Pain – One of the most apparent signs of a spinal subluxation is a pain that radiates upward through the back and neck. Depending on the severity of the subluxation, pain may be mild to sharp and debilitating.
While these are the most common symptoms of spinal subluxation, they are not the only ones. Other possible spinal subluxation symptoms include muscle tenderness, increased inflammation, numbness, pain, loss of feeling, burning sensations at the subluxation site, or persistent tingling.
Common Causes of Spinal Subluxation
Although the causes of spinal subluxation can vary, the most common cause is trauma. While this may include major trauma due to an accident or injury, micro-trauma from daily habits could also result in a spinal subluxation. This includes sleeping improperly, carrying a heavy bag disproportionately, or looking down at your computer during work for a prolonged period.
Stress is also a common culprit of spinal subluxations. Any time the body is overwhelmed by anxiety or stress, the built-up tension within the body, particularly in the neck and back, can cause the muscles to tighten. Without the appropriate release, this pressure could lead to subluxation.
Treatment of Spinal Subluxation
Anyone who suspects that they might have a spinal subluxation is encouraged to visit a chiropractor. Although, minor subluxations could potentially be treated at home with over-the-counter pain medications, light stretching, cold compresses, and rest. Even if you want to start with an at-home approach, visiting a chiropractor will help you achieve an official diagnosis and get back to feeling better quickly.
At Hunt Spinal Care, we work with our patients to find a long-term treatment option instead of relying on band-aid treatments that do not provide genuine relief. We will work with you to find a treatment that is right for you so that you can be the best, healthiest version of yourself. For more information on spinal subluxations or to schedule an appointment, please contact Hunt Spinal Care today or call us at (918) 459-0333.
