Joint Fixation and the Chiropractor
Joints, such as those in the spine, are meant to move and muscles are meant to move
them. When a joint does not move properly, our bodies reorganize themselves. Our brains
do not receive the motion signals from the joints so it begins to change the way it perceives
that area. For example, if you were to cast your elbow in a fixed position, your brain would
receive the same signals from that elbow as from other fixed structures, namely bones. Once
your brain begins to think that elbow is a bone, it sends out messages to build that elbow into
the best bone it can be. It starts a whole cascade of chemical processes that end up in
calcification of the joint. Calcium makes the joint hard, limiting its motion. This process
only takes about 1 month.
So how do joints get stuck in the first place? This usually occurs when the muscles
around them lose tone causing a change in the position of the joint. There are usually two
muscles that cause a joint to move, pulling in opposite directions. When one of those
muscles loses tone compared to the other, the joint becomes misaligned and can no
longer glide in the proper plane.
Once a joint gets fixated and calcification has made it stiffer, slow stretching will not be able to
overcome the fixations. You will only be able stretch the muscle out in a limited range of
motion. A chiropractic adjustment will address this issue in two ways. First, it will gap the
joint which will break up the adhesions that restrict joint motion. Once movement in the joint is
restored, the calcification is no longer required and will eventually be reabsorbed. Second,
the muscle responds to the fast stretch of the adjustment by resetting its tone. This means
that the opposing muscles will balance out, allowing the joint to glide in the appropriate plane.
Joint motion is a two way street. You need a good brain to maintain proper tone in the
muscles that move the joint, and you need proper movement of the joint to keep the brain
healthy. There have been studies showing that those people with the most joint fixations
(especially in the spine) have the lowest quality of health. The conclusion of those studies
was "you are only as healthy as your spine."
Make an appointment today to have Dr. Webster evaluate your spine and overall
health.
972-735-0707
Joints, such as those in the spine, are meant to move and muscles are meant to move
them. When a joint does not move properly, our bodies reorganize themselves. Our brains
do not receive the motion signals from the joints so it begins to change the way it perceives
that area. For example, if you were to cast your elbow in a fixed position, your brain would
receive the same signals from that elbow as from other fixed structures, namely bones. Once
your brain begins to think that elbow is a bone, it sends out messages to build that elbow into
the best bone it can be. It starts a whole cascade of chemical processes that end up in
calcification of the joint. Calcium makes the joint hard, limiting its motion. This process
only takes about 1 month.
So how do joints get stuck in the first place? This usually occurs when the muscles
around them lose tone causing a change in the position of the joint. There are usually two
muscles that cause a joint to move, pulling in opposite directions. When one of those
muscles loses tone compared to the other, the joint becomes misaligned and can no
longer glide in the proper plane.
Once a joint gets fixated and calcification has made it stiffer, slow stretching will not be able to
overcome the fixations. You will only be able stretch the muscle out in a limited range of
motion. A chiropractic adjustment will address this issue in two ways. First, it will gap the
joint which will break up the adhesions that restrict joint motion. Once movement in the joint is
restored, the calcification is no longer required and will eventually be reabsorbed. Second,
the muscle responds to the fast stretch of the adjustment by resetting its tone. This means
that the opposing muscles will balance out, allowing the joint to glide in the appropriate plane.
Joint motion is a two way street. You need a good brain to maintain proper tone in the
muscles that move the joint, and you need proper movement of the joint to keep the brain
healthy. There have been studies showing that those people with the most joint fixations
(especially in the spine) have the lowest quality of health. The conclusion of those studies
was "you are only as healthy as your spine."
Make an appointment today to have Dr. Webster evaluate your spine and overall
health.
972-735-0707
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