If you start doing research into chiropractic care, you will likely notice mention of something called a subluxation. This is a chiropractic term that describe when a vertebra within the spine moves so it is out of its ideal position.
What Happens With Subluxation?
When a person has a subluxation, they misaligned vertebrae will put stress and pressure on their spinal nerves along with surrounding muscles and blood vessels. These can lead to an overall imbalance in the normal processes of the body. If the subluxation isn’t treated, it can settle, worsening the subluxation and degeneration.
Causes Of Subluxation
Subluxations can happen in a range of circumstances. Some people develop them from poor posture, lifting heavy items incorrectly, or simply sleeping in the wrong position. Others will develop a subluxation from an injury, sudden jarring, fall, or car accident.
Treatment For Subluxation
The good news is that your chiropractor can treat a subluxation along with other types of misalignments. Chiropractors will help the misaligned vertebrae return to their regular position via spinal adjustment. In other words, they use their hands to apply pressure on your spine in a corrective manner. In the vast majority of cases, the chiropractic adjustment is completely painless, although those who have experience trauma may notice minor discomfort because of inflammation. You will also likely notice a brief sensation within your extremities immediately after the adjustment as the effected nerve root suddenly decompresses.
Phases Of Subluxation
There are actually several different stages of subluxation degeneration. Phase one occurs if the subluxation has been there for 20 years or less. At this point, you may notice a loss of the neck’s normal forward curve but probably won’t have any issues with overall motion. Over 80 percent of those with a subluxation in this stage don’t have pain. Phase two subluxation degeneration typically occurs in subluxations that have lasted 20 to 40 years and will reduce the range of motion. An x-ray will show calcium buildup or changes at points in the spine. Phase three is the result of untreated subluxation for 40 to 64 years and those in this phase will have restriction movements and other symptoms, including possible mutations in the shape of their vertebrae.
