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What is a Subluxation?
Subluxation is a term used in the chiropractic field to describe what happens when the vertebrae in your spine move out of their normal position. The word subluxation is derived from the Latin words meaning somewhat or slightly (sub) and to dislocate (luxate). When this happens, the misaligned vertebra creates pressure and stress on the spinal nerves, blood vessels, and surrounding muscles. This pressure and stress can cause an imbalance in the body's normal processes as the nerves in the spinal column extend to the entire body and its organs. As time goes on and the uncorrected subluxation settles, the damage to the nerve gets progressively worse and progressive stages of subluxation degeneration set in (degenerative arthritis).
Subluxations can occur in a number of ways. Physical causes include car accidents, falls, sudden jars, improper sleeping position, poor posture, incorrect lifting, or any other minor trauma. Stress and emotional trauma are extremely common causes of subluxation.
The primary focus of Chiropractic is to correct subluxations. A chiropractor can restore subluxated vertebrae to their proper position in the spinal column. We do this by using the chiropractic procedure known as spinal adjustment. Your chiropractor will apply a corrective pressure to the spine in a specific direction at a specific location. This corrective pressure helps restore the alignment and mobility of the vertebrae. In our office, we use an electronic instrument called the Impulse Adjustor to adjust the spine. Under normal circumstances, chiropractic adjustments feel good. If you are already sore prior to the adjustment, some discomfort may be experienced because ot the inflammation. But rest assured, the vast majority of our patients only report feeling much better after being adjusted!
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