Most people have experienced muscle tension or tightness at some point in their lives. Whether it’s a stiff neck after a long day at the computer, tight shoulders from stress, or persistent lower back tightness that seems to never fully resolve, muscle tension can range from mildly annoying to significantly debilitating.
While many people reach for over-the-counter pain medications or heating pads for temporary relief, chiropractic care offers a more comprehensive approach to addressing the underlying causes of muscle tension.
Muscle tension occurs when muscles remain partially contracted for extended periods. This can happen due to physical factors like poor posture, repetitive movements, or injury. It can also result from emotional stress, which causes muscles to tighten as part of the body’s natural response. Over time, chronically tight muscles can lead to discomfort, reduced range of motion, and even contribute to misalignments in the spine and other joints. So, let’s explore how chiropractic care can help!
Spinal Alignment and Muscle Tension: What’s the Connection?
Your spine and muscles work together as an integrated system. When your spine is properly aligned, muscles can function as intended, contracting and relaxing with normal effort. However, when spinal vertebrae become misaligned—a condition chiropractors call subluxation—it creates abnormal tension patterns in the surrounding muscles.
These misalignments can occur from everyday activities, such as sitting with poor posture, sleeping in awkward positions, or performing repetitive movements. When vertebrae shift out of their optimal position, the body responds by tightening nearby muscles in an attempt to protect and stabilize the area. While this protective mechanism is helpful in the short term, it can lead to chronic muscle tension if the underlying misalignment isn’t addressed.
Furthermore, spinal misalignments can irritate nerves exiting from between the vertebrae. Since these nerves control muscle function throughout the body, irritation can cause muscles to become unnecessarily tight, even in areas seemingly unrelated to the spine.
How Chiropractic Adjustments Affect Muscle Tension
Chiropractic care directly addresses spinal misalignments through specific adjustments designed to restore proper vertebral position and movement. These gentle, controlled movements help normalize nerve function and release the muscle tension that developed in response to the misalignment.
When a chiropractor performs an adjustment, several physiological responses occur. First, the adjustment helps restore proper joint motion, reducing mechanical stress on surrounding tissues. Second, it positively affects the nervous system, potentially decreasing pain signals and normalizing nerve impulses to muscles. Third, it can trigger the release of endorphins—the body’s natural pain relievers—which help reduce pain perception and promote a sense of well-being.
For those with chronic muscle tension, however, a series of adjustments is often necessary to fully resolve the issue. Your Montrose chiropractor will develop a personalized treatment plan based on the severity and duration of your condition, as well as your overall health goals.
At New Life Chiropractic, our team is here to help. With years of experience, our team is dedicated to elevating the health of the entire Montrose area. If you’re combating chronic muscle tension, reach out to us today!
