Stress. Physical, emotional and chemical stresses out on the body can cause spinal misalignments. Child birth, starting a new job, and poor nutrition can all create these changes. Tensions in the body cause the spine to “lock up” and impede functional motion of the joints.
Similarly, emotional stress can result in spinal misalignment (subluxation) along with the severe nerve impact those misalignments can make. Except for major physical traumas, it is likely that almost all spinal issues occur as a result of a combination of physical, chemical, and emotional stresses upon the body.
Being sedentary, mental stress, poor eating habits, being overweight, poor sleep, flat feet, previous injuries, arthritis, chronic inflammation, and overtraining can all create tension in your nerves and muscles causing your spine to go out of alignment.
Cortisol and adrenaline are released, and there is typically an involuntary tightening of your muscles. This often occurs in the neck, shoulders, and down the spine. Prolonged tension in these areas can lead to back pain and, more specifically, lower back pain.
Emotional stress. Emotional stress can have a physical effect on the body. The hormones that get released as a result, the cortisone and other things can create irritations in the body that can create misalignments, that can create pinched nerves.
Chiropractic care has been shown to lower blood pressure, proving that chiropractic care can help decrease symptoms associated with anxiety and depression. This can help those who suffer from mental health issues feel more at ease and stable as they utilize chiropractic care to manage their symptoms.
Just as spine misalignment happens over time, correcting it requires a long-term effort. You can start by being more aware of your spine alignment and making sure you stretch your body and get regular exercise. More severe cases of spinal issues may require medical care or surgery.
Aches and Pains. Chronic pain is one of the symptoms of a misaligned spine. Depending on where the misalignment is, whether it's higher up the spine or in the lumbar region, it could cause headaches and neck and back pain. The spinal cord is a conduit between the brain and the nerves throughout the body.
In total, the average person requires anywhere between 18-24 adjustments over approximately 9-14 weeks to complete all three phases of chiropractic care (pain relief, stabilization, rehabilitation).
Having a misaligned spine can affect your general health and increase the risk of several chronic conditions. You may experience poor posture, decreased mobility, permanent joint deformities, respiratory problems, a reduced range of motion, and several other problems.
A chiropractic adjustment is a therapeutic treatment by a licensed chiropractor. Your chiropractor will use pressure to manipulate joints in your body to realign your spine and reduce pain and discomfort. Chiropractic adjustments complement traditional medical care you receive.
Walking improves your muscles strength and gives your body the tools you need to heal naturally. Visiting a chiropractor will get your spine properly aligned, but walking on a consistent basis will help keep your back in alignment. When your spine is aligned, you have less pain and your mobility should improve.
Look at your Legs – Spine misalignment can cause one leg to feel or actually extend longer than the other. Sit on the edge of your bed or lie down in your bed and see if one of your legs extends further than the other. This is a sign that your spine is out of alignment.
When there is a misalignment (known as a subluxation) of the spine, it causes stress to the nervous system. This stress response in the body leads to a cascade of hormones and different physiologic activity. Cortisol is one of the main hormones released when the body perceives stress or danger.
Spinal misalignment can be treated mostly by a good amount of exercise and physical therapy, and sometimes with chiropractic care from a chiropractor.
It varies widely and can range anywhere from $30 to $300 a visit. Chiropractic care is covered by many health insurance providers. Check with your health provider for specific information about your plan.
The Overall Best: On your back. Sleeping on your back evenly distributes weight throughout your body and avoids unnatural or unnecessary curves in the spine. Use a small pillow underneath the head and neck (not shoulders) to keep everything in alignment.
When you are just starting a new treatment plan, it's common to have adjustments multiple times a week. As your body begins to heal, that number could drop to just once a week. And if you are pain-free and simply want to maintain your lifestyle, you might only need to get an adjustment once or twice a month.
A misalignment at C0-C1-C2 can also come from sitting at a desk with poor posture, birth trauma, or falling out of a tree when you are a child. However, the most common way we see large trauma produced is from a concussion from either sports or work related injuries, or a car accident.