How Misalignments in Your Spine Can Cause Issues

Headaches, fatigue, back pain — these are just a few of the potential complications that can stem from a misalignment in your spine.

Because the spine is the foundation for your entire body, it should come as no surprise that the health of your spine can cast a very wide net. To give you a better idea, Valliant Life Medical’s integrative experts, which include specialists in chiropractic care, are focusing on potential side effects of misalignments in your spine. And there are many.

A quick anatomy lesson

Before we dive into the health consequences of spinal misalignments, it’s helpful to fully understand the anatomy in question.

At the heart of your spine are 33 vertebrae that stretch from the base of your skull down to your pelvis. The moveable vertebrae are divided by 23 intervertebral discs, which act as spacers between these bony structures and provide cushioning and support.

Each vertebra features four facet joints that allow movement in your spine. 

Holding the bones together are tough ligaments, which are supported by surrounding muscles that stabilize your spine.

Not only does your spine provide foundational support for your entire musculoskeletal structure, it also forms the passageway for nerves that runs through your spinal canal. 

Between supporting your body and providing passage for your nervous system, it’s easy to see how a problem in your spine can get amplified fairly quickly.

Common issues that stem from spinal misalignment

As the name implies, a misalignment is anything that interrupts the natural alignment of your spine, front to back, as well as side to side. 

When there’s a misalignment, it can throw things out of balance, placing pressure on areas that aren’t up to the task and creating issues, such as:

Lower back pain and neck pain

One of the most obvious signs of a misalignment in your spine is lower back pain, which affects between 75% and 85% of Americans at some point in their lives. Neck pain, as well, is a common result of a misalignment in your cervical spine. In either case, the spine pain can stem from herniated discs, muscle strain, or slipped vertebrae — all of which can be tied to misalignment.

Headaches

If there’s a misalignment in your spine, it can lead to added tension along the structure, which can extend up into your skull and cause tension headaches.

Joint issues

If your spine isn’t properly aligned, it can affect other joints. For example, a misalignment in your lumbar spine can affect your hip, knees, and ankles.

Illness and injury

Misalignments along your spine can also prevent regenerative resources in your body from flowing freely, which can make you more prone to illness and injury.

Fatigue

If you have a misalignment in your spine, it places pressure on your supporting tissues, namely your muscles. As your muscles strain to compensate for the misalignment in your spine, they tire out, leaving you fatigued.

As you can see, misalignments can create a domino effect in your body and lead to issues in areas that are close to and far away from your spine.

Getting back in line through chiropractic care

If you suspect that a spinal misalignment is negatively impacting your health, the best way to resolve the problem is through chiropractic care. Through spinal manipulation, we can realign your spine and undo any subluxations (dislocations and blockages) that have formed. Afterward, you’ll be amazed at how great you feel when your spine is in proper alignment.

To reap the many benefits of chiropractic care, please contact our office in Fort Worth, Texas, to set up an appointment.