Another blog post from Ann Arbor chiropractor Mike Tannenbaum, D.C.: What Makes Spinal Bones Go Out of Position?

“What makes spinal bones to go out of position?” I frequently get this question from my Ann Arbor chiropractic office patients. First, I explain that these misaligned (“subluxated”) bones often directly or indirectly irritate spinal nerves causing back pain, neck pain, headaches and other forms of ill health.

Next, I let my patients know that the spinal bones go out of place for a single reason or for a combination of reasons. An example of a single reason/event causing bone misalignment is an impact/jolt on the body, for example, due to being “rear-ended” in an auto accident. An example of a combination, or confluence, of reasons resulting in bone misalignment would be a person who has weak neck muscles and comes under stress. Stress can cause reduced blood flow to the neck muscles, which causes these muscles to tighten -- possibly shortening the muscles. This, in turn, causes restricted range of motion in the neck, and then this individual quickly moves their head, causing the tight neck muscles to pull on the bones, with the weak muscles unable to hold the neck bones in proper position.

Some chiropractors use a more philosophical explanation of why bones misalign. They say that physical, mental, or chemical stress result in bone misalignment. I don’t have space here to give a detailed reasoning behind this, but the basic premise is that the physiology of the body is very dynamic and sensitive. Thus, stress to the body -- be it physical, mental, or chemical -- can cause the bones to misalign.

If you have any questions about this blog post, chiropractic, back pain, neck pain or headaches, I can be contacted at my Ann Arbor chiropractic office at [email protected].