What is a Subluxation and what does it
do to me?
First, the simple explanation.
 In
simplest terms, a subluxation (a.k.a. Vertebral Subluxation) is when one
or more of the bones of your spine (vertebrae) move out of position and
create pressure on, or irritate spinal nerves. Spinal nerves are the
nerves that come out from between each of the bones in your spine. This
pressure or irritation on the nerves then causes those nerves to
malfunction and interfere with the signals traveling over those nerves.
How does this affect you? Your nervous
system controls and coordinates all the functions of your body. If you
interfere with the signals traveling over nerves, parts of your body
will not get the proper nerve messages and will not be able to function
at 100% of their innate abilities. In other words, some part of your
body will not be working properly.
It is the responsibility of the Doctor of
Chiropractic to locate subluxations, and reduce or correct them. This is
done through a series of chiropractic adjustments specifically designed
to correct the vertebral subluxations in your spine. Chiropractors are
the only professionals who undergo years of training to be the experts
at correcting subluxations.
Now, the detailed explanation.
Subluxations are really a combination of changes going on at the same
time. These changes occur both in your spine and throughout your body.
For this reason chiropractors often refer to vertebral subluxations as
the "Vertebral Subluxation Complex", or "VSC" for short.
In the VSC, various things are happening
inside your body simultaneously. These various changes, known as
"components," are all part of the vertebral subluxation complex.
Chiropractors commonly recognize five categories of components present
in the VSC. These five are:
The osseous (bone) component
is where the vertebrae are either out of position, not moving properly,
or are undergoing physical changes such as degeneration. This component
is sometimes known as kinesiopathology.
 The
Nerve Component is the malfunctioning of the nerve.
Research has shown that only a small amount of pressure on spinal nerves
can have a profound impact on the function of the nerves. This component
is scientifically known as neuropathology.
The Muscle Component
is also involved. Since the muscles help hold the vertebrae in place,
and since nerves control the muscles themselves, muscles are an integral
part of any VSC. In fact, muscles both affect, and are affected by the
VSC. This component is known as myopathology.
The Soft Tissue Component
is when you have misaligned vertebrae and pressure on nerves resulting
in changes in the surrounding soft tissues. This means the tendons,
ligaments, blood supply, and other tissues undergo changes. These
changes can occur at the point of the VSC or far away at some end point
of the affected nerves. This component is also known as
histopathology.
The Chemical Component
is when all these components of the VSC are acting on your body, and
therefore causing some degree of chemical changes. These chemical
changes can be slight or massive depending on what parts of your body
are affected by your subluxations. This component is often known as
biochemical abnormalities.
Chiropractors have known about the dangers
of subluxations for over one hundred years. Today, more scientific
evidence is showing the dangers of subluxations and the health benefits
of correcting them. To be truly healthy, it is vital that your nervous
system be functioning free of interference from subluxations. Our goal
is to allow your body to return itself to the highest level of health
possible by correcting VSC. Chiropractors are the ONLY health
professionals trained in the detection, location, and correction of the
VSC. |
Subluxation
Phase
One Subluxation Degeneration 
Phase
Three Subluxation Degeneration 