Why Should a Patient Care What a Subluxation Is?
Understanding what a subluxation is comparable to understanding what a tooth cavity is. 100 years ago, the dental profession became so sick of pulling out rotten teeth. They went on a massive public education campaign to teach what a tooth cavity is and how to prevent them. Because of these efforts, despite the average sugary diet many Americans have, teeth have become very healthy. The chiropractic profession as a whole has done a poor job of educating the public on subluxations and spinal health routines. Dr. Stear has made it his personal mission to educate as many people as possible on how to prevent spinal degeneration in the same way dentists have done so long ago.
When patients understand what a subluxation is, they can care for their spine differently. Spinal Health Center is focused on treating the subluxation directly, and with time pain relief follows. This type of care leads to less symptom relapse than pain focused care provides. This care reduces the likelihood of hospitalization, bodily surgery, and medication use. It can also stop, reverse, or slow down the progression of spinal decay that turns people into the elderly person in a nursing home with a humpback.
A vertebral subluxation refers to a set of signs and symptoms that affect the spinal column. Specifically, it is a complex issue that occurs when the bones of the spine lose their usual position and range of motion due to sitting, chemical stress, trauma, or even emotional stress.
How Does Vertebral Subluxation Complex Affect the Body?
The term “complex” is associated with vertebral subluxation because, as the word suggests, the condition is multifaceted and consists of many elements. This is because VSC is the underlying cause of many health care problems. When one or more vertebrae are misplaced or fail to carry out their intended motion, they can disrupt the function of the nervous system. The vertebral bones are designed to contain and guard the nervous system, so interference by subluxation can lead to alteration in the nerve trafficking in and out of the brain. When VSC presents, a number of things can happen to affect the spine, its related soft tissues, and even the tissues and organs controlled by the affected nerves.
Vertebral Subluxation Complex and Its Five Interrelated Parts
VSC typically has — and is — identified by five major interconnected components, including:
- Spinal kinesiopathology- The joints of the spine have lost their natural motion and position, making it difficult for the patient to turn and bend. It sets the other four components in motion. During examination, patients can feel abnormal mobility in a subluxated joint even if they said there was no pain present. X-ray analysis will verify how the joint has misaligned allowing for more specialized care.
- Myopathology- When spinal joints and nerves become irritated, the surrounding muscles go into spasm. This is the bodies attempt to splint or protect the joint from further injury. Long term, this accelerates spinal kinesiopathology. Patients will be able to feel the muscle spasms during the examination.
- Histopathology- Surrounding the spine there is connective tissue, muscles, ligaments, discs and other soft tissue. When the spine is injured, to some degree, the surrounding soft tissue becomes injured. During examination, patients will feel discomfort in the joint even if they said they didn't have any regular pain there. This is just like a tooth cavity that hasn't caused pain yet but may hurt when poked and prodded.
- Neuropathology- Joint damage and lack of mobility alter two nerves that affect brain neurology. Motion nerves called proprioceptors reduce firing into the brain, and tissue damage nerves (nociceptors) accelerate stimulation into the brain. This shifts brain neurology toward a state of fight or flight, and the high stress can have a major effect on whole body health.
- Pathophysiology- This is when abnormal bone growths like bone spurs try to mend faulty spinal joints and leads to decay of the spine, creation of scar tissue, and nerve dysfunction. The amount of decay present is a large indicator as to how long it will take to rehabilitate the subluxations.