Body Re-Alignment – Why You Might Feel Twisted, Crooked or “Out of Alignment”

Many people come to physiotherapy saying they feel “wonky”, “twisted” or that something is “out of place”. It’s a very real and uncomfortable feeling — but let’s clear up one of the most common myths:

your vertebrae or pelvis don’t go out of place.

The joints of your spine and pelvis are incredibly strong and stable. They can’t simply “slip” or “pop out” — that would require major trauma, not day-to-day movement or even lifting. What actually happens is that muscles can tighten, joints can stiffen, and your nervous system can become protective following pain or injury. These responses change how you move and hold yourself, creating that sensation of being “out of alignment.”

In cases of acute back injury, you may even see a temporary “list” or sideways lean — known as a lateral shift. This isn’t a bone moving out of place, but rather your body’s protective mechanism to offload pressure from an irritated joint or nerve root. Once pain and inflammation settle, the shift usually corrects naturally with guided movement and gentle manual therapy.

At Nailsea Physio, our therapists take a whole-body approach. We assess posture, joint mobility, muscle balance and movement control to identify the underlying causes of your discomfort. Treatment combines hands-on therapy, targeted exercise, and education — helping you move with confidence and understand what’s really happening in your body.

Feeling “crooked” doesn’t mean you’re broken — it’s your body communicating. We can help you restore comfort, balance and strength.

If you do suffer with back or neck pain then book in with our team and find out how we can help you and ensure you have the tools to keep back pain at bay.

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