What is a subluxation?
As chiropractors, we look to find and correct subluxations… but what exactly is a subluxation? To better understand what chiropractic is and how it improves overall health and wellbeing, it is crucial to understand the thing we work to correct.
A subluxation occurs when one or more segments (vertebrae) of the spine become dysfunctional leading to nerve irritation and interference. Let’s break that down. When we say “dysfunctional”, that encompasses a few different things that occur at the segment. First, motion is lost leading the segment to become “locked up” and “restricted”. Next, the muscles and ligaments surrounding the joint tighten up in an effort to stabilize the segment. Over time, if the subluxation is not corrected we start to see the disc wear out and bone spurs develop due to the mechanical dysfunction. The second major component of a subluxation is the impact on the nerves traveling through the spine. As we lose proper function of the spine, pressure and tension develop along the nerves exiting from the spine. This creates irritation and interference in specific nerve pathways. You can think of it like static on the radio. The signals are still able to be sent from the brain to the body, they are just much less efficient. An irritated, compressed nerve is not as effective at sending signals as a healthy nerve. Over days, weeks, months, and years, this can lead to problems in the organ, gland, or tissue supplied by the nerve pathway.
So, whenever we think about a subluxation it is important to view it through two lenses; first, how are the spinal mechanics at the segments, and second, how is the communication along the nervous system. Coupling X-ray technology with the CLA Insight neurological scans allows us to objectively measure these two aspects of subluxation so we can provide the highest quality of care.
