When Weakness Isn’t Really Weakness
Muscle weakness is one of the most common physical complaints people experience, affecting up to 15% of adults over the age of 40 at any given time. It’s often blamed on undertraining, fatigue, or age-related decline, but research shows that the nervous system plays a far bigger role than many realise.
Your muscles don’t work in isolation—they rely on constant, precise messages from your brain via the spinal cord and nerves. If there’s a loss of proper joint motion in the spine (known as a subluxation), those messages can become distorted. The result? Your muscles may appear “weak” even though the muscle tissue itself is perfectly healthy.
How Subluxations Affect Muscle Strength
When spinal joints lose normal motion, sensory input from the area is altered, changing how the brain controls muscle activation. A 2016 study found that a single chiropractic adjustment increased strength in the leg muscles by up to 16% in healthy participants. Another study showed that nerve interference from joint dysfunction could reduce voluntary muscle contraction by as much as 45%.
This means:
- You may feel one side is weaker during workouts
- You could fatigue faster than normal
- Your coordination and balance might be off
- Recovery from training may take longer
Not Just About Pain – The Neurological Impact
At our Wellington chiropractic clinic, we regularly see people who are surprised to discover that their muscle weakness isn’t from injury—it’s from poor nerve signalling. Chiropractic adjustments aim to restore normal joint movement, reduce interference in the nervous system, and improve the brain’s control over muscles.
Improved nerve communication means muscles can fire faster, stronger, and more accurately. This is especially important for athletes, older adults wanting to maintain independence, and anyone recovering from injury.
Stats That Might Surprise You
- Around 80% of people will experience spinal joint dysfunction at some point in their lives.
- Muscle strength can decline by 1–2% per year after the age of 50 if nerve-muscle communication isn’t maintained.
- Chiropractic care has been shown to improve muscle control and coordination within minutes of an adjustment in multiple studies.
Could Your Weakness Be a Subluxation?
You might need a chiropractic assessment if you:
- Notice persistent one-sided weakness
- Experience repeated “dead arm” or leg fatigue without injury
- Temporarily regain strength after stretching or movement
- Have a history of falls, awkward sleeping positions, or spinal injuries
Your Next Step
If you’re in Wellington and want to know whether your muscle weakness is truly a muscle issue—or if it’s being caused by a subluxation—book a nervous system check with us. Restoring the brain-muscle connection could be the missing link to regaining your strength.op “sleeping funny” and start sleeping well.
References
- Haavik H, Murphy B. The role of spinal manipulation in addressing disordered sensorimotor integration and altered motor control. Chiropractic Journal of Australia. 2012;42(2):56–68.
- Pickar JG, Bolton PS. Spinal manipulative therapy and somatosensory activation. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. 2012;22(5):785–794.
- Christiansen TL, et al. The effect of spinal manipulation on maximum bite force. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2016;39(8):616–624.
- Haavik H, Niazi IK, et al. Impact of spinal manipulation on cortical drive to upper and lower limb muscles. Brain Sciences. 2016;6(2):E20.
- Clark BC, Taylor JL. Age-related changes in motor cortical properties and voluntary activation of skeletal muscle. Age (Dordr). 2011;33(2):263–276.
Experience Limitless Movement Chiropractic Care in Wellington
If you’re in Wellington and looking for expert chiropractic care, we’re here to help. At Limitless Chiropractic, we focus on helping you move better, feel stronger, and live without limits. Book your appointment today and take the first step toward a healthier, more mobile you!
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