|
What truly differentiates doctors of
chiropractic from any other
healthcare professionals is the fact
that chiropractors are the only
professionals who are trained to
diagnose and treat what are called
spinal subluxations. The word
“subluxation” comes from the Latin
words meaning “somewhat or slight"
(sub) and “to dislocate” (luxate).
So the term ‘vertebral subluxation’
literally means a slight dislocation
or misalignment of the bones in the
spine.
When a subluxation occurs, a
chiropractor can correct the
misaligned bone and allow it to
return to its proper position. This
procedure is appropriately called an
adjustment, and the adjustment
enables the body to heal. The
chiropractic adjustment is a quick
thrust applied to a vertebra for the
purpose of correcting its position,
movement or both. Adjustments are
often accompanied by an audible
release of gas that sounds like a
“crack.” The sound sometimes shocks
people a little bit the first couple
times they get adjusted, but the
sensation is usually relieving.
Occasionally, minor discomfort is
experienced, especially if the
surrounding muscles are in spasm or
the patient tenses up during the
chiropractic procedure. There are
times when the audible “cracking”
does not occur. This is often due
to either significant muscle
tightness or that the patient may be
having a hard time relaxing during
their adjustments. However, the
chiropractic adjustment is still
important. The leak is fixed. The
wiring is fixed. Information is
flowing again. To keep the wiring
fixed, several adjustments over a
course of time may be necessary, in
addition to massage, physical
therapy, stretching exercises, or
strengthening exercises. In the
chiropractic world, keeping the
problem fixed and preventing its
reoccurrence is just as important as
the initial remedy.
There are actually five
components that contribute to the
vertebral subluxation complex (VSC).
- Bone Component-where
the vertebra is either out of
position, not moving properly,
or are undergoing degeneration.
This frequently leads to a
narrowing of the spaces between
the bones through which the
nerves pass; often resulting in
irritation or impingement of the
nerve itself.
- Nervous Component-is
the disruption of the normal
flow of energy along the nerve
fibers, causing the messages
traveling along the nerves to
become distorted. The result is
that all of the tissues that are
fed by those nerves receive
distorted signals from the brain
and, consequently, are not able
to function normally. Over
time, this can lead to a whole
host of conditions, such as
peptic ulcers, constipation and
other organ system dysfunction.
- Muscular Component-since
nerves control the muscles that
help hold the vertebrae in
place, muscles have to be
considered to be an integral
part of the vertebral
subluxation complex. In fact,
muscles both affect, and are
affected by the VSC. A
subluxation can irritate a
nerve, the irritated nerve can
cause a muscle to spasm, the
spasmed muscle pulls the
attached vertebrae further out
of place, which then further
irritates the nerve and you have
a vicious cycle. It is no
wonder that very few
subluxations just go away by
themselves.
- Soft Tissue
Component-the VSC will
also affect the surrounding
tendons, ligaments, blood
supply, and other tissues as the
misaligned vertebrae tug and
squeeze the connective tissue
with tremendous force. Over
time, the soft tissues can
become stretched out or scarred,
leaving the spine with either a
permanent instability or
restriction.
- Chemical Component-is
the change in the chemistry of
the body due to the VSC. Most
often, the chemical changes,
such as the release of a class
of chemicals called “kinins,”
are pro-inflammatory; meaning
that they increase inflammation
in the affected area.
These changes get progressively
worse over time if they are not
treated correctly, leading to
chronic pain, inflammation,
arthritis, muscle trigger points,
the formation of bone spurs, loss of
movement, as well as muscle
weakness and spasm. Chiropractors
have known the dangers of the
vertebral subluxation complex ever
since the birth of the profession.
More and more scientific research is
demonstrating the tremendous
detrimental impact that subluxation
have on the tissue of the body. In
order to be truly healthy, it is
vital that your nervous system be
functioning free of interference
from subluxations. Chiropractors
are the only health professionals
trained in the detection, location,
and correction of the vertebral
subluxation complex through
chiropractic care.
|