Vertebral Subluxation
What is a Subluxation & How it Affects Health and Vitality
A Vertebral Subluxation, commonly referred to simply as a Subluxation is when one or more of the bones of your spine (vertebrae) shift from their natural alignment and create interference with nerve impulses as they travel though the spinal cord and out a spinal nerve. Spinal Nerves are the nerves that come out from between each of the bones in your spine. Pressure or irritation on these nerves causes them to malfunction and interfere with the signals traveling through them.
How will a Vertebral Subluxation affect your health?
It is the network of nerves that allows for communication between your brain and each of the cells, tissues and organ systems of your body. If there is interference in the transmission of the signals through this network then each organ or organ system supplied by those nerves will be unable to function at 100% of their ability. In other words, the organ will not work properly and more importantly, it will be unable to heal completely. A Doctor of Chiropractic is the only professional trained to detect, analyze and correct Vertebral Subluxations. Correcting a Subluxation is achieved by making a series of specifically directed, gentile adjustments to the Subluxated vertebrae.
A More Complete and Anatomical Explanation of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex
The previous description of a Vertebral Subluxation is a modified and simplified one in order to allow for a basic understanding of the interference created within the spinal column. A more physiologic and detailed description explains that Subluxations are actually a combination of complex events occurring simultaneously. These changes occur within the Central Nerve System (CNS) through your spine and extend to cells and tissues that comprise the organs and systems of your body. Since the actual mechanism involve multiple tissues and structures at one time, chiropractors often refer to Vertebral Subluxations as the “Vertebral Subluxation Complex”, or “VSC” for short. In the VSC, multiple events are occurring within your body at the same time. Specifically five (5) events, known as “components,” form the Vertebral Subluxation complex. They are as follows:
Osseous
The osseous (bone) component is where the vertebrae are either positionally misaligned, fixated from movement, or are undergoing a physical process of degeneration. All or any combination of these events may also be occurring. This component is referred to as kinesiopathology.
Neural
The Neural or Nerve Component is the malfunctioning of the Spinal Nerve itself. Research has shown that only a small amount of pressure (approximately 10mm Hg), about the weight of a dime, on spinal nerves can result in a significant decrease in the function of the nerves. This component is scientifically known as neuropathology.
Muscular
A Muscle Component is also involved. Muscles help to maintain each of the 24 vertebrae in place, and since nerves regulate all muscular activity, the muscles themselves are an integral part of any VSC. This component is known as myopathology.
Soft Tissue
The Soft Tissue Component describes the changes the occur as a result of the VSC in the surrounding soft tissues. Tendons, ligaments, blood supply, and any tissues other than bone are considered soft tissues and all may undergo changes. These changes can occur at the point of the VSC, anywhere along, or at the end of the affected nerves. This component is also known as histopathology.
Chemical
The final component is the Chemical Component. When all these components of the VSC are acting on your body it results in some degree of chemical change. These chemical changes can range along a vast spectrum from mild to extreme depending on the location of the Subluxation. This component is often known as biochemicalabnormalities.
There is greater than 110 years of research on the devastating effects of Subluxations. Today, more scientific evidence is showing the dangers of chronic Subluxations and the health benefits of correcting them. Infants, children and adults can all benefit from having Subluxation free nervous systems (see Chiropractic and Kids). To be truly healthy, it is vital that your nervous system be functioning free from the interference caused by 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 (The Chiropractic Education) in the detection, location, and correction of the VSC.