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) become misaligned and put pressure on the spinal nerves. Spinal nerves are the nerves that come out from between each of the bones in your spine. This abnormal pressure or “pinching” of the nerves causes them to malfunction and interfere with the signals that they carry or transmit.

How does this affect you? Your nervous system controls and coordinates all the functions of your body. If you interfere with the signals traveling through the nerves, parts of your body will not get the proper nerve messages and will not be able to function at 100% of their capacities. In other words, some parts 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 through a series of chiropractic adjustments. These adjustments are 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 Subluxation Complex”, or “VSC” for short.

In the VSC, five changes are occuring inside your body simultaneously. These five changes are all part of the vertebral subluxation complex. These five changes are:

The osseous (bone) component is where the vertebrae are misaligned and are out of position, may be moving improperly, or may be undergoing physical changes such as degeneration. This osseous component is often referred to as kinesiopathology.

The Nerve Component is when the nerve functions incorrectly. Research has shown that only minimal amount of pressure on spinal nerves can have a major impact on the function of the nerves. This component is scientifically known as neuropathology.

The Muscle Component occurs when the muscles are weakened or become spastic due to injuries of the spine where the muscles attach or due to the faulty nerves that control the muscles. 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 occurs when the soft tissues are effected by the misaligned vertebrae. This means the tendons, ligaments, blood supply, and other soft 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 and usually accompanies swelling of blood and lymphatic fluid.

The Chemical Component occurs when the above listed components of VSC are acting on your body causing some degree of chemical changes. These chemical changes can be mild or severe and are often known as biochemical abnormalities.

Chiropractors have known about the dangers of subluxations for well over a century! Today, there is countless scientific evidence is demonstrating the dangers of subluxations and the health benefits of correcting them. To be truly healthy, it is extremely important that your nervous system be functioning free of interference from subluxations. Our goal at Chicago Chiropractic 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.