A spinal joint fixation (vertebral subluxation) occurs when one or more vertebrae in your spine lose their normal position and / or range of motion. When this happens, the spinal nerves and surrounding tissues (ligaments, joint capsule, muscles, tendons) can become irritated. Joint fixations most often occur in response to the daily stresses placed on our bodies. Common things such as emotional stress (tight muscles), poor posture, or sitting in front of a computer for a long time can cause spinal stress. Car accidents, improper lifting, work injuries, or poor diet are other common causes of joint fixations.

Doctors of Chiropractic are the only health care professionals who are thoroughly trained in the detection and correction of vertebral subluxations. It requires years of training and clinical practice for a chiropractor to master the analysis and procedures needed to understand and correct spinal joint fixations.

How does a subluxation/joint fixation affect you?

Your nervous system controls and coordinates all the functions of your body. If you interfere with the signals traveling over your nerves, parts of your body will not get the proper nerve messages and will not be able to function at 100%. In other words, some part of your body will not work properly.

If you think about the stresses you face each and every day and the effect on your spine and nervous system…even if you live as healthy as possible, it is difficult to avoid all our daily stresses.  Chiropractic can help your body deal with stress better, allowing you to function at your best everyday.

Spinal Osteoarthritis/Degeneration

Spinal fixations can cause changes to the structure of the spine and the nerves. These changes can get progressively worse with time. These changes take the form of ongoing degeneration known as “wear-and-tear” arthritis. If you were to continually drive your car with the wheels out of alignment, the tires would wear down – your spine is no different!