Subluxation is a word I commonly use in practice. However many people, even many of my practice members have no idea what it means. Subluxation is a big word but can be broken down very simply. Sub means slightly, luxation means to dislocate. So in very literal terms it means slightly dislocated. When put in chiropractic terms, it means the misalignment of the vertebrae (bones of the spine). The word subluxation then becomes very important to chiropractic as it makes up the cornerstone to the entire foundation of our practice. A chiropractor’s chief focus is to locate and correct subluxation. Nothing more and nothing less. It is through this process that proper motion is restored to spinal segments of the spine. This in turn relieves mechanical and inflammatory pressure on the nervous system. The spinal nerves can then express themselves fully. These spinal nerves come from the brain and exit the spinal cord carrying messages to every other cell in the body. In this way the nervous system controls, directs and regulates every function of the body. With this in mind, it is easy to see just how far the detrimental effects of subluxation could reach.
How does one become subluxated or where does it come from? Stress is the obvious and most common cause. Stress can be physical, mental / emotions or chemical. A fall, injury, sudden jar, trauma or an inherited spinal weakness can displace a vertebrae. Other causes include improper sleeping conditions or habits, poor posture, occupational hazards, incorrect lifting practices, obesity, lack of rest and exercise.
Subluxations can arise as early as in the womb or during the birthing process. These early subluxations can begin interfering with normal nervous system control and lead to any number of physical and biomechanical problems as a child. Disturbance of the delicate spinal cord and nerves that control the youngster’s muscles and organs can also lead to developmental problems or a deformity in the spinal column. When left uncorrected for years and decades, the inflammation which accompanies these restricted joints can lead to arthritis, degenerative joint and disc diseases among a whole host of other degenerative disorders.
Subluxation is extremely prevalent throughout the population for the simple fact that we are all participating in stressful and / or unhealthy activities, most of us on a daily basis. Without proper treatment, subluxations have a very negative effect over our health, often completely without symptoms – or at least without noticeable outward symptoms. These silent subluxations do the most harm as the majority of people do not seek treatment when there are no symptoms. It is for this reason that spinal health and the wellness of our nervous systems should be high on our list of health concerns. Visit your chiropractor for a spinal check-up to locate possible subluxations. Correction of spinal subluxation can allow your body to reach its full health potential.