What are subluxations and what causes them?
Dr. Daniel David Palmer determined that displaced vertebrae cause a pressure on nerves. This is now called the vertebral subluxation complex (VSC or subluxation). It is a term used to describe the phenomenon by which chiropractors get such good results. Most definitions of the VSC say it consists of a spinal bone out of place interfering with brain/nerve function.

The VSC causes body malfunction (disease) that can lead to lowered resistance to disease, pain, imbalance and fatigue and can pave the way for ill health. It is sometimes called “silent killer” because it can slowly eat away at your health and vitality for years without you having the slightest awareness of it.

Subluxations can be caused by accidents, fall, sports injured, birth stress and other trauma or by bad posture and even emotional stress. Infants and children need to have their spines check by a doctor of chiropractic as neurological and other health problems have been traced to spinal damage at birth or in infancy.

How were subluxations discovered?
Dr. Palmer, a successful magnetic healer, examined a deaf man’s spine and found a vertebra slightly out of its normal position. Palmer adjusted the vertebra back into place and his patient’s hearing returned. Dr. Palmer examined other patients’ spines. As he later wrote: “Shortly after this relief from deafness, I had a case of heart trouble which was not improving. I examined the spine and found a displaced vertebra pressing against the nerves, which innervate the heart. I adjusted the vertebra and gave immediate relief. Then I began to reason if two diseases so dissimilar as deafness and heart trouble, came from impingement, a pressure on nerves, were not other diseases due to a similar cause?”

Such was the discovery of chiropractic. In many ways it was a re-discovery of the ancient art of spinal care found in nearly every culture and practiced since time immemorial.

The vertebral subluxation complex
Palmer’s displaced vertebrae . . . (Causing) a pressure on nerves” is now called the vertebral subluxation complex (VSC or subluxation). The VSC is technically an abstraction, like the electron, gravity or the gene. It is a term used to describe the phenomenon by which chiropractors get such good results. Most definitions of the VSC say it consists of a spinal bone out of place interfering with brain/nerve function.

Vertebral subluxation effects
For ease of understanding and communication, subluxation damage is defined by the following five components:

Joint damage (kinesiopathology) – Your spine is misaligned. It is often painless but you may not be able to turn your head, hips or other body parts around equally well or as far as possible (reduced range of motion). You may have “noisy joints.”

Nerve damage (neuropathology) – Your nerves and related structures are impinged, compressed or otherwise irritated. Chemicals and impulses that flow over the nerves may be blocked. You may feel nothing or there may be pain and other symptoms.

Muscle damage (myopathology) – Your muscles are tight, in spasm, weak, overly sensitive and/or sore. Your posture is unbalanced, resulting in fatigue and increased joint wear and tear.

Tissue damage (histopathology) – You have tender “trigger points” or painful spots. Ligaments, cartilage, discs, tendons and internal organs may be affected resulting in osteoarthritis or spinal degeneration.

Overall body malfunction (pathophysiology) – Chronic subluxation stress causes your muscles, joints, ligaments and organs to show signs of wear and tear, premature aging, fatigue, less resistance to disease and lack of physical and mental vitality. Internal organ disease and spinal degeneration and disc herniation may occur after years of VSC damage.

Correcting subluxations
Subluxations are so common that they can be considered an epidemic. It is sometimes said that if you suffer from neck and back pain you’re lucky – you are aware of a spinal problem and will (hopefully) go to a doctor of chiropractic for a spinal checkup. The chiropractor will not only check the areas in pain, but also will throw in a “bonus” and check your entire spinal column for subluxations, even the areas that don’t hurt.

Subluxations are often painless, so periodic spinal examinations should be a part of every family’s healthcare routine. Correcting silent subluxations today might save you and your family from conditions that, later in life, could not possibly be ignored.

Doctors of chiropractic are the only professionals trained to locate and correct the vertebral subluxation complex. If you have one, you cannot be truly healthy.