What Is a Subluxation?

If you’ve been to a chiropractor before, you may have heard the term “subluxation.” That said, most people don’t know what it actually means.

In short, any joint that doesn’t move the way it should, whether it’s misaligned or not operating properly, is referred to as a subluxation. Find out what a subluxation is and why you should see a chiropractor for treatment here.

What Is a Subluxation?

Subluxation is the partial dislocation of a joint. Subluxations can occur anywhere in the body, though the most common areas are the back, shoulders, and knees.

Back and Neck

A spinal subluxation occurs when vertebrae within the spine are misaligned from their normal positions.

When this happens, the pressure put on the spinal nerves affects the signals between the brain and body. An injured nerve coupled with a compressed spinal cord often results in pain, and unbalance throughout the rest of your body if left untreated.

The vertebra can be partially dislocated even if you’re unaware of a specific injury.

Shoulders

A shoulder subluxation refers to a partially disclosed shoulder joint. This occurs when the ball of the humerus (upper arm bone) detaches from the shoulder socket.

Shoulder subluxations are usually the result of trauma, though they’re also caused by repetitive motions like swimming or swinging a tennis racket.

Knees

Knee pain is commonly the result of a patellar dislocation, which happens when the patella partially separates from the groove that secures it to the leg.

You may experience looseness after a fall or accident, though general “wear and tear” is another potential cause. A knee that has recently changed shape usually indicates a patellar subluxation.

What Causes Subluxations?

A subluxation can have physical, emotional, or chemical origins. Major, physical trauma like falls or car accidents can cause subluxations. Micro-traumas like repetitive movements, improper posture, and poor sleeping habits may also contribute to misalignment.

Stress can cause tension in the body, and subluxation could occur when your neck and upper back muscles tighten. Finally, pollutants and toxins (processed foods, cleaning products, etc.) result in chemical imbalances that cause your muscles to contract, which might also lead to subluxation.

Symptoms of Subluxation

As mentioned above, different parts of the body experience subluxation differently. For example, mild pain may be your only symptom. However, symptoms could worsen if a partially dislocated joint is left untreated.

Some general symptoms of subluxations include:

• Pain near the affected joint
• Swelling
• Numbness or tingling
• Balance problems or feelings of instability around a joint
• Stiffness or reduced range of motion

You can also experience secondary symptoms that may not seem related to your subluxation. For instance, some people suffer from sudden headaches that progress to debilitating migraines. An altered gait is also common and might make it hard to perform everyday tasks.

Overall, your well-being can suffer if your body is out of balance due to a subluxation.

Subluxation Treatment

Every subluxation is different, which affects treatment. At Family Life Chiropractic, our chiropractor, Dr. Jere, uses various diagnostic tools to locate the exact source of your pain.

Depending on the location and severity of the subluxation, he may use his hands or specialized instruments to apply corrective pressure to the area. Chiropractic adjustments will help restore alignment and mobility as well as reduce inflammation.

Contact Our Clearwater Chiropractor

Subluxations should be treated immediately to prevent long-term effects, like severe pain or loss of motion. If you’re experiencing pain that doesn’t seem to be caused by anything specific, contact Family Life Chiropractic today!

With over 30 years of experience, our Clearwater chiropractor offers proper diagnosis and treatment of subluxations.

Contact us online or call 727-447-4647 to learn more.