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.
