What is Subluxation?

I guess the next logical topic for discussion is the term 'subluxation'. This is a term that is widely used within the chiropractic profession. The prefix 'sub' means less than, the term 'luxation' means dislocation. So subluxation refers to a joint that has lost its normal alignment, short of dislocating. Chiropractors will also use the term Vertebral Subluxation Complex (VSC) which describes the negative cascade of effects that happen as the result of the misalignment of a joint.

Why is a subluxation important and why is the removal of a subluxation by a chiropractor so important? Well, there are a number of reasons. The most important reason is that when the vertebra of the spine misalign they put pressure on the delicate nerves that branch out from the spinal cord, resulting in a block of communication. This communication is a two way street, the body needs to be able to perceive the environment it is in. It does this through the sensory part of the nervous system. Once the body has that information, the nervous system sends out communications to the body on how to respond to its environment. If the nerves are blocked due to misalignments of the vertebra both of those communications are disturbed and the result is dysfunction in the body and in the long term disease will result if left uncorrected.

What are the other negative effects subluxations? When a vertebra misaligns the normal motion of the joints are compromised. This lack of motion of the spinal joints causes many things to happen. The motion of one vertebra in relationship to the ones above and below create a pumping motion that pumps fluids and nutrients into the discs of the spine in order to keep them healthy. A healthy disc acts as a shock absorber for the spine and also a spacer. When the proper motion stops, as a result of joint restrictions, the discs start to dehydrate and thin down resulting in what we call degenerative disc disease. That makes the discs more susceptible to injury, namely disc bulges or herniations. The body now considers this area a weak spot and does what it can to stabilize it, the result is osteophyte production otherwise know as bone spurs or even more commonly known as arthritis of the spine.

Also, when the discs of the spine dehydrate and thin down they no longer maintain the space between the vertebra that they once did. This will cause pressure on the delicate nerve roots of the spine that branch out from the spinal cord and exit the spinal column in the openings that those discs once created. If the disc degenerates enough, the lack of space can choke off the function of the nerve entirely.

The lack of motion of the fixated joint in question will cause changes in the soft tissues around the joint. Some ligaments become stretched, elongated and weakened, while others will become shorter, fatter and stronger creating imbalance. Scar tissue starts to develop within two weeks of an injury or loss of motion. The loss of motion will of course create restricted movement that inhibits flexibility and range of motion.

One of the other major concerns when joints lose their normal motion is reduced proprioceptive input to the brain. What does that mean?!! Two kinds of receptor cells that are present in our joints are proprioceptors and nociceptors. Proprioceptors are stimulated when the joint moves, nociceptors are stimulated when the joints don't move. When nociceptors are stimulated they send signals to the stress centers of our brain which in turn trigger the stress response in the body, the release of stress hormones like cortisol. The release of the stress hormones over a period of time will cause every chronic disease know to man. The good news is that if our joints are moving properly and we actually get out and move instead of sitting at a desk all day, the proprioceptors will be stimulated and send signals to the healing and growth centers of the brain, which in turn override the entire stress response.

How do you know if you have subluxations in your spine? Unfortunately for us, many subluxations are silent and go undetected. It can sometimes take years for those areas to become symptomatic. The solution is to go to someone who is trained to detect and correct them, a chiropractor. This is where my years of training are. If you are not currently a practice member of mine, come in for an initial evaluation to find out if you have subluxations in your spine.

Hopefully, you have a more in depth knowledge of the complexity and importance of keeping the joints of your spine freely moving and your nerves free of interference. Remember it is the nervous system that controls and coordinates the function of every cell, organ and system of your body. Keep that system as healthy as you can for optimal health. Thanks for reading.