Subluxation

Subluxation refers to the misalignment of the spinal bones. When the vertebrae shift out of their proper position, it creates nerve inflammation and pressure. This pressure can interfere with muscle and ligament function and reduce nerve flow to surrounding organs. Subluxations do not only cause low back pain. In fact, you would have a subluxation long before you started experiencing any low back pain. That is because pain is the last symptom to appear and the first to disappear.

Subluxations are corrected using traction and spinal adjustments. At Pike Creek Chiropractic, a drop table serves as our primary adjustment tool. This approach allows us to be precise and efficient with each adjustment. We do not need to twist the body around; we can adjust one vertebra at a time in a neutral posture. We also use traction to re-establish normal spinal curves when a subluxation affects an entire spinal region and alters the spine's natural curves.

The lower back and legs are the most common areas affected by lumbar subluxation. It is also possible to experience sciatica and radicular pain traveling through the thigh, knees, and into the feet. Misalignments in the low back can also lead to constipation, diarrhea, erectile dysfunction, infertility, and painful menstrual cycles.

Disc Bulge and Disc Herniation

Throughout the day, a person can lose up to half an inch in height due to the pressure placed on our spinal discs as we walk, bend, twist, and reach. A disc is similar to a jelly donut, with a soft, gel-like center surrounded by a fibrous outer layer. There is a disc between each vertebra to absorb shock and help the spine move normally. The body can handle this daily pressure, healing itself at night, but over time, with excessive pressure and compromised healing abilities, the discs begin to break down.

As the disc breaks down, its outer layer starts to tear, and the inner gel-like nucleus pushes against its exterior, causing it to bulge. A bulging disc triggers inflammation and can irritate nearby nerves. When the disc's outer layer tears completely, the nucleus herniates from the disc and places direct pressure on the nerve root. This pain is more severe than a bulge and can affect muscle and organ function.

Most primary care providers prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or muscle relaxers to manage the pain, but that does not address the underlying structural issues or the disc's inability to heal. If the condition worsens, a PCP might refer the patient to a neurosurgeon. Chiropractic care works to enhance the body's natural healing capabilities and correct the disc's structural problems to avoid surgery and prolonged medication use.

Spinal Stenosis

Stenosis involves bony growth where the lumbar spine has begun to degenerate. This growth reduces the space around the spinal nerve as it exits the spinal column to innervate the body. The growth compresses the nerve root, leading to pain, muscle weakness, and organ dysfunction.

If the issue is detected early enough, conservative chiropractic care works to resolve the problem, eliminate pain, and improve a person's quality of life. If left untreated, surgical intervention may become necessary. Surgery is never ideal because of its inherent risks and the scar tissue it leaves behind. The lack of elasticity in scar tissue can lead to further nerve compression down the road.

Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative joint disease, or DJD, is a form of osteoarthritis caused by the abnormal positioning of the vertebral bodies in the lumbar spine, leading to irregular bone growth. The bone actually begins to deform along with the discs. This condition cannot be reversed, but we can prevent it and stop its progression with regular chiropractic screenings. Reducing the amount of abnormal stress on the joint helps it regain as much normal function as possible.

Muscle Strain

If you bend at your waist to pick up a 10-pound box, you are actually placing 100 pounds of stress on your back muscles. Turning 10 pounds into 100 pounds is not the best way to keep your spine healthy, but it is an effective way to tear muscle fibers. A muscle strain involves tearing muscle fibers, which triggers an inflammatory process that creates pain and scar tissue.

Muscle strains can occur from an acute, sudden injury but can also result from weak core muscles. We see many weekend warriors who are inactive during the week or remain sedentary all winter and then want to be active outside during the summer. Their muscles are not accustomed to being used this way and begin to tear.

Strains can also be a symptom of subluxation. A misaligned vertebra alters nervous system function, further complicating muscle function in a negative feedback cycle. If left untreated, the body will adapt to this new altered state.