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. Simply put, these components are simply adaptations to spinal stress that the body has to go through to help you survive.   Chiropractors commonly recognize five categories of components present in the VSC. These five are:

• The Movement component is where the vertebrae are either out of position, not moving properly. 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 Bone Component occurs when the vertebrae have had to adapt to these stresses for such a long period of time that jagged edges and bone spurs develop and change the shape of the vertebrae.  All of these degenerative processes happen over time.  

Your doctor will likely label these changes as “arthritis” or “degeneration”.  These are just labels.  We develop these changes over time, from neglecting to care for our spine, from stress, from injuries, from chronic lack of motion.  All these changes are preventable with the appropriate lifestyle choices.

All in all, a subluxation stems from a lack of motion.  This causes the body to have to adapt, and after having to adapt for months to years, the spinal joints become fatigued.  That’s when you get the pain and discomfort.  It’s the body’s way of telling you there is a lack of motion it has had to adapt to.  When we take pills, we are masking what the body is crying out:  ”I need proper movement and function!  Your lifestyle and way of sitting/standing, not exercising SUCKS!”

Chiropractic care steps in and corrects improper function by restoring movement in those stuck joints.  Motion is restored, and the adaptations that were listed above start to slow down and eventually halt.  The body restores balance, until introduced with the next stressor.  Regular chiropractic care, like regular dental maintenance, and maintenance of your car will ensure that your spine is not getting weaker with all the stresses we impose on ourselves.

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