Joint Dysfunction

It is our belief at Slocum Chiropractic that many cases of musculoskeletal pain can be attributed to joint dysfunction. Simply put, joint dysfunction is present whenever your joints, muscles, and nervous system are not performing at their optimum efficiency to allow a joint to function normally. Joint dysfunction is most common in the regions of the low back and neck, but is often also present in the mid back, shoulders, knees, ankles, or wrists. Chiropractic treatment is a highly safe and effective treatment option for those suffering from joint dysfunction. Joint dysfunction is often characterized by the following symptoms:

Decreased Range of Motion

• Joint dysfunction causes the affected joints to lose their normal resiliency and shock absorption capacity. This typically results in a decrease in normal range of motion and often pain when attempting certain planes of motion. It is the reason it may be difficult to turn and look over your shoulder when driving a car, tie your shoes, or look up in the sky. These are all activities that should be easy to perform without disability when joint dysfunction is corrected.



Muscle Dysfunction

• Some muscles respond to joint dysfunction by becoming tense and overactive, while others respond by becoming limp and underactive. This results in a lack of stabilization for the affected joints due to asymmetrical (unbalanced) muscle contraction. For this reason, many of the rehabilitative therapies utilized at the Slocum Chiropractic Center work to increase balance by creating symmetrical (balanced) muscle function. This allows for optimal joint strength and stabilization, decreasing both current symptoms and the likelihood of future problems.



Instability

• The range of motion restriction and muscle changes that occur when joint dysfunction is present may also result in instability, rendering the affected region susceptible to injury. This is often why people may injure themselves performing normally easy daily tasks such as bending over to pick up the trash, "turning the wrong way," or "sleeping wrong." By increasing joint motion and stabilizing the affected muscles, these and other tasks that may cause pain are able to be performed without disability.