When a vertebrae (bones of the spine) becomes misaligned or moves out of its normal position, this is referred to in the chiropractic profession as a subluxation, or more precisely, the Vertebral Subluxation Complex (VSC). VSC can be caused by a wide range of issues ranging from a minor slip or bump to a car accident, any sudden trauma or even persistent poor work or leisure postures. When a vertebrae is subluxated, it begins to put pressure on nerves, blood vessels and other surrounding structures. This causes the body to twist itself into a compensation in an attempt to relieve the pressure and irritation.
The subluxation interrupts the natural nerve pathways that carry messages to and from the brain. In addition, as time goes by and the subluxation remains untreated, the spine and surrounding features such as discs and ligaments can begin to degenerate.
A vertebral subluxation is an involved entity and can be identified by its five components:
- Spinal Kinesiopathology (abnormal movement of the joints)
- Neuropathophysiology (nerve dysfunction)
- Myopathology (muscle changes)
- Histopathology (organ tissue changes)
- Pathophysiology (abnormal growth)
Because the body is a remarkable machine, it will start to accommodate these changes by compensating in other areas attempting to prevent further damage. However, over time, compensations themselves can cause irritation and injury due to the lack of normal function or movement and the postural changes that they create leading to more compensation and degeneration. Degeneration becomes more difficult to reverse as time goes by and the surrounding muscles, nerves and bones begin to adjust to the new shape.
Compensations also lead to tightening and stiffening of the supporting soft tissue in an attempt to support the body’s postural changes meant to counterbalance the misalignments. In turn these changes predispose the body, by pre-loading tissues, to further injury with seemingly simple activities and movements of our daily lives like a sneeze, reaching up or bending over.
The longer the subluxation is untreated, the longer it will take for treatment to return the vertebrae to its normal position and correct the resulting compensations. This is why many individuals choose a chiropractic wellness lifestyle. Chiropractors are experts in the manipulation of soft and hard tissue. Advanced Biostructural Correction adjustments can reposition the vertebrae into its natural, balanced position. Through treatment, a vertebral subluxation can be corrected back to healthy functionality, restoring move normal balance and releasing compensations over time.
