Back pain, joint pain, chronic headaches, and fatigue are all symptoms of a misaligned spine. If you're experiencing one of these symptoms and it can't be explained by something else, your spine could be the root of the issue.
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.
A chiropractor has the ability to realign the spine and alleviate pressure on the disc. Without realigning the spine, the disc will progressively bulge and potentially cause pressure on spinal nerves causing pain and numbness down the leg.
Weakness, numbness or tingling in your extremities (arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet and toes) could indicate that there's a problem with your spine in the lumbar (lower back) region.
When a nerve in the spine is damaged it can cause pain, increased sensitivity, numbness and muscle weakness. Pain can originate from multiple nerve roots. Radicular pain refers to pain that comes from one single nerve root.
Usually, when you get manual manipulation of the spine to correct any of the issues you may be suffering from. In a basic case (noticeable postural changes, one zone of mild pain/ no pain), this initial process takes adults about 2-3 weeks with two spinal corrections throughout the week.
Your spine may be out of line from just one of your vertebrae being pulled out of its place. This is called a spinal subluxation. An injury is often the reason for your vertebrae to be pulled out of line, but stress, inactivity, obesity, and poor posture are also reasons your spine may have alignment issues.
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.
While natural techniques such as exercise, therapy, bracing, and chiropractic can be hugely successful at reducing scoliosis, they need to be integrated and applied by a scoliosis specialist to achieve their full treatment potential.
Consistently engaged, massage therapy can be a powerful treatment that restores your spinal alignment, returns your full mobility and promotes a complete mind/body sense of health and wellbeing.
Abnormalities of spinal alignment are well shown on X-rays, such as abnormal step between the vertebral levels (spondylolisthesis) and abnormal curvature (scoliosis) (Figure 1). X-rays are also used to detect fracture after an injury or accident.
However, MRI scans can help to pinpoint specific problems, and can reveal hidden issues a physical examination might miss. MRI scans are usually used to check spinal alignment, disc height and hydration, and the shape and appearance of discs (e.g. if they are normal, bulging, or damaged).
Chiropractors understand the natural gait and posture and will assess these areas when determining where to adjust. A basic assessment of your gait and posture will provide insights into the musculoskeletal system and its capability to adjust to different strains and stressors.
Call your doctor immediately if your middle back pain is accompanied by a feeling of tightness or pressure in your chest that radiates to your shoulders and arms, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, and/or vomiting.
Orthopedists, rheumatologists, neurologists, and neurosurgeons are specialists who treat different types of back pain. Orthopedists and rheumatologists both deal with the musculoskeletal system. Neurologists and neurosurgeons treat the spine, nerves, and brain.
Pull your knees up slightly toward your chest. The pillow for your head should keep your spine straight. A rolled towel or small pillow under your waist may also help support your spine. Insert pillows into gaps between your body and the mattress.
Sleeping on your side is another way to help keep your spine aligned, so that you alleviate unnecessary pressure in the back, and help your body recover while in its most natural position.
In conclusion, no one can adjust themselves, not even chiropractors. While a chiropractor may be able to determine that the spine is safe to adjust and know exactly which bone needs to be adjusted, the direction of force and proper contact are just not possible to do yourself.
Better function, improved posture, less pain allows the body to rest and heal. Good spinal alignment is the result of these balanced systems. The very things that cause spinal mis-alignment are corrected by acupuncture.
A good rule of thumb is that massage therapy could be just the thing you need if your concern is muscular pain or tension. If you have been experiencing joint, spinal, or musculoskeletal pain, consulting a chiropractor may be in order.