A subluxation is a when one or more vertebra are out of alignment, exerting pressure on the spinal nerves. Spinal nerves carry messages to and from the brain; these messages regulate our bodies. Nerve interference causes a malfunction of the flow of messages between the brain and all other organs of the body, potentially causing a myriad of health problems. (See Nerve Chart).

Subluxation causes “domino effect” changes in the body, and is also referred to as Vertebral Subluxation Complex (VSC) because of the complexity of changes occurring both simultaneously and in chain-reaction.

There are five main components to VSC:

Spinal kinesiopathology - Abnormal motion or position of spinal
bones - the inability to comfortably turn neck, hips, or back in every direction. This can be caused by physical trauma (repetitive motion, falls, car accidents, etc.) emotional stress or chemical imbalances. When spinal joints are not moving enough, they force other joints to move too much causing wear and tear.

Neuropathophysiology - Abnormal nervous system function - impingement of nerves creating numbness, tingling, pain or pins and needles. This is caused when nerve tissue is stretched, twisted, or irritated by malfunctioning spinal curves.

Myopathology - Abnormal muscle function - tight, spastic, weak, sore, and/or overly sensitive muscular responses. When muscle function is impaired from too much or too little nerve supply, muscles that support the spine respond in different ways. When nerve impulses are diminished, muscles supporting the spine can weaken, waste away,
or atrophy, while over stimulated muscles can become tight and go
into spasm.

Histopathology - Abnormal soft tissue function - swelling, tenderness, painful spots, and other soft tissue problems. When there is spinal joint malfunction, the discs, ligaments, and other connective tissue are affected too. A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. While technically you can't have a "slipped" disc, the soft pulpy discs that separate each spinal vertebra can tear, bulge, herniate and degenerate.

Pathophysiology - Abnormal function of the spine and body muscles, joints, ligaments, and organs that show wear and tear and premature aging. Malfunction or trauma to a joint can cause the body to stabile the area by growing new bone. Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths are the result. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can also cause other systems of the body to malfunction.

To conclude, VSC can cause illness, disease, and an array of health problems if left untreated. Additionally, pain and symptoms don't usually manifest until subluxations have already caused harm. This is why regular chiropractic check-ups are so important. A chiropractor can locate then treat subluxations when there are no external symptoms.

Chiropractics are the only health-care professionals specifically trained to treat and prevent Vertebral Subluxation Complex.