The Cause of Subluxation: The Three Ts

Have you ever heard this seemingly complicated term: subluxation? Subluxations are misalignments in one or more of the vertebrae in your spine. They can cause nerve interference, hindering communication between the brain and the rest of the body—every cell, tissue and organ. This makes it so the body is unable to function at 100 percent.
Treating them is one of the foremost goals of chiropractic care. Here are some lesser known causes of subluxations and why ongoing chiropractic care is crucial to generate self-healing and overall health and wellness.

The Three Ts

Subluxations can occur at any age and the main causes are considered the “Three Ts”: trauma, toxins and thoughts.

Trauma

Trauma is the most well-known of the Three Ts. It can cause subluxation by sheer force. Most people only think of major traumas like car accidents or falls, but your body experiences micro traumas every day—and these may surprise you. Behaviors or habits can cause subluxation—like continuously carrying a purse or bag on the same side of your body, wearing high heels, sleeping on your stomach, crossing your legs or looking down at a computer monitor for long periods of time.

Toxins

Toxins, as a cause of subluxation, may not be as obvious. Think of your body as one big conglomerate of chemicals—when the body is healthy and balanced chemically, it’s in a state of homeostasis. Depending on the toxic chemicals you take in through food, drink and your environment, your body’s homeostasis can be disrupted and become imbalanced. Toxins can get into the body in many ways: through processed and GMO foods, air pollution, chemicals in your cleaning supplies and even the water you’re drinking—and the plastic bottle it came in. These imbalances can cause muscle contractions or change fiber length in the muscles, causing a subluxation.

Thoughts

The third "T," Thoughts (a.k.a. stress), is the number one cause of subluxations. Forbes recently reported that 83 percent of working adults in the United States say they are stressed about their job. Think about it: you can be lying on a sandy beach somewhere but can feel completely stressed if you start thinking about the work and problems you have back at home. When you're stressed, the muscles in your neck and upper back become tight. This tension can cause subluxation, and these emotional stressors can also cause a chemical imbalance.

 

 

 

Treating Subluxations

Chiropractic care is the only way to treat subluxations. And this doesn’t mean a one-time visit to a chiropractor, but ongoing treatment. Your chiropractor will locate, analyze and correct subluxations and work with you on the causes.
Committing to chiropractic care is a lifestyle choice—just like exercising and eating well. It's impossible to eliminate all the micro traumas, toxins and stress in daily life, but choosing chiropractic as a preventative and proactive measure is vital to your path to optimal health.

Chiro 101: Should You Talk to Your Friends and Family About Chiropractic?

Simple answer: absolutely! If you’re someone who’s benefiting from the effects of chiropractic care, the next step after improving and maintaining your own wellness is spreading the word! So many people don’t know how beneficial chiropractic can be for their whole body—and let’s face it, we all know someone who could use the extra help.

The Stats

An estimated 35.5 million people saw a chiropractor in the last year. To put that into perspective, that’s only about 9 percent of all American adults. Not very many, right? But for those who did go to a chiropractor, 77 percent of people saw their care as very affective, saying:

• The quality of care they received was a good value for the money
• The chiropractor took time to educate them about treatment options
• The chiropractor really cares about them

The Results

So, why aren’t more Americans under chiropractic care? Complicated healthcare politics aside, it’s most likely because they just don’t know. The best thing you can do is talk about your own story, because at the end of the day, the power of a percentage pales in comparison to real, lived experience. Here’s how some of our patients are starting the conversation.

“At first, I thought chiropractic wouldn’t work, but now, I think it’s something everyone can benefit from. My neck and shoulder pain has seen lots of improvement—I no longer have to worry about cutting down on activities.” –M.R., Lakeview Patient

“I thought I would have to live with pain, but with chiropractic, not anymore!” –A.A., Orland Hills Patient

“My adjustments help me get through the week. I didn’t realize how much the spine and neck played into my health—but now I know.” –B.P., Libertyville Patient

“I was in constant pain for a very long time. Sometimes it hurt just to get out of bed. After I started chiropractic care, I have better movement in my back and joints—I believe it really helps me. Now I know there’s a “light” at the end of the tunnel.” –L.K., Vernon Hills Patient

“I haven’t felt this good in 20 years.” –D.C., Des Plaines Patient

“The CTs at Chiro One are excellent, helpful and answer any questions I have. The doctor also teaches us something new at least once a week.” –A.O., Schaumburg West Patient

“My hip pain went away… I feel like I don’t need to live with aches and pains just because I’m getting older.” –S.S., Libertyville Patient

“Because of chiropractic, I move more freely and pain-free. I’m enjoying the freedom to do things I thought I could no longer do.” –J.S., Round Lake Beach Patient 

“At first, I wasn’t really interested in chiropractic, but now I love it! I can function pain-free and know that I have a plan that will keep me well for the rest of my life.” –A.L., Wheeling Patient