If you are suffering from back or neck pain and have done research into your health concerns, you may have come across the term “subluxation”.
But what is a subluxation? And why does it matter for spinal health? And, most importantly, how can it be addressed?
In this blog post, we’ll explore these questions and provide resources for you to begin healing from a subluxation.
First, let’s start by answering the question at the heart of this post.
So, What is a Subluxation?
Put simply, a subluxation is the misalignment or dislocation of a joint in the spine. When we talk about subluxations with our patients at our Intouch Chiropractic office in San Diego, California, we are specifically talking about the movement of a vertebra out of its normal alignment. This causes a range of health issues, including chronic back or neck pain, or even more specific concerns like Ménière’s disease.
There are three main aspects of a vertebral subluxation:
- Firstly, when a vertebrae is no longer moving through its normal range of motion and is considered “misaligned.”
- Secondly, neural tissues (brain stem, spinal cord, nerve roots) are compromised or are pressured down by the “misaligned” vertebrae.
- Lastly, there is change or disruption of the nerve impulses. Nerve impulse is a term used to describe the information that goes from the brain to the end tissue and back up to the brain again.
What Causes a Subluxation?
Our brains and bodies can handle enormous amounts of stress. But, when we exceed our capacity, we either adapt and grow, or express symptoms and disease.
Here are three of the most common types of stress that cause subluxation in the clients we see:
- Chemical toxins: junk food, pesticides, medications
- Physical trauma: car accidents, slips and falls
- Emotional stress: work stress, family stress
Stress disrupts the nervous system’s natural ability to function at 100%. When the nervous system overloads or “stresses out,” it is less able to function and adapt to challenges in the environment.
Now, it’s important to cover the importance of the nervous system as it relates to spinal health.
Highlighting the Importance of the Nervous System in Spinal Health
Every cell, tissue, organ and system, thought and emotion is completely controlled by the nervous system. The nervous system also has the major task of coordinating your every move. A person with a healthy nervous system can have a more effective connection between his or her emotional, physical, chemical and spiritual self. The nervous system is the master controller!
The brain and spinal cord are one connected unit. However, the spinal cord lives inside of your back. This is the information superhighway that tells your body how to function.
The spinal cord may have the consistency of cooked spaghetti but it is protected by hard bones called vertebra. Additionally, there are shock absorbing cushions called discs between the bones. And lastly, vital spinal nerves originate from the cord. These nerves pass through openings between the vertebra, and can travel to every part of your body.
If there is a misalignment, or subluxation, anywhere in this spinal system, it can have serious health effects that may be hard to deal with.
At Intouch Chiropractic, we specialize in helping our patients address this health issue and putting people on the path to recovery! Learn more about the chiropractic techniques we use to help our patients suffering from subluxation, including the efficacy of NUCCA chiropractic care for atlas subluxations.
“They both care so much about REALLY helping you! They go the extra steps to make sure you’re doing everything you can to get and feel better! I’m feeling so much better and have new tools to help me stay on the right track!” – Intouch Chiropractic Review by Julie M.
Subluxations, Chiropractic Care, and Your Health in Conclusion
Chiropractic care was originally founded by D.D. Palmer and later developed by his son BJ Palmer. This is the only profession that locates, analyzes and corrects vertebral subluxations. Adjustments remove interference to the nervous system.
Unfortunately, the majority of the time, we can’t feel a subluxation.
With that being said, you won’t be able to gage if you are subluxation-free just by how to you feel on any given day. Instead, seek the help of a professional to diagnose your health issue and improve your quality of life. If you are in San Diego, California and think you may benefit from such a treatment, please call our office today at (619) 756-7510 or request an appointment here.
