A vertebral subluxation can affect health in a number of ways. Because a subluxation indicates a misalignment in the bones of the spine, the body will try to compensate for the problem by putting pressure on adjacent muscles, tendons and ligaments. Pain and compression of nerves can result. This adjustment can lead to dysfunction in how these structures move and can even affect the function of organs unrelated to the spinal column.
Proper spinal function allows supporting structures to work as designed, allowing free movement and good neurological function throughout the body. Any impairment or blockage in nerve function can lead to poor mobility, impaired balance, obstructed blood flow to muscles and tendons, as well as to internal organs. Good alignment of the spine allows the whole body to function as it was designed, which facilitates good health.
Importance of spinal health for overall well-being
The proper function of the spine supports effective movement and good health by allowing the body to move in a balanced and harmonious way that doesn’t restrict blood flow or cause strain to body structures.
What is a vertebral subluxation?
Vertebra subluxation occurs when one of the spinal vertebrae slips out of its normal position and encroaches on adjacent vertebrae, spinal discs and other structures.
Misalignment of spinal bones
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the human spine is composed of 33 individual bones and two fused segments in the lower spine. These bones work together to allow the spinal column to provide flexibility and strength for the body’s movement. When these bones become misaligned, the efficient function of the spinal column is impaired, and discomfort, stiffness and poor movement can result.
Interference with nerve function
When the vertebrae are out of their normal position, they can compress nerve roots that are located in the spinal column. This can cause a variety of nerve problems, including numbness, weakness and poor mobility.
Causes of vertebral subluxations
A vertebral subluxation can result from a number of factors. Injury from accidents or sports impacts can lead to a subluxation. A study from National Library of Medicine found that auto accidents were the major cause of subluxations in the upper cervical area of the spine. However, trauma is not always the underlying cause.
Improper lifting techniques
Poor lifting technique is one of the major causes of vertebral subluxation. Injury can occur when individuals neglect proper technique during work tasks or other activities, leading to damage to vertebrae and discs that cause ongoing pain and dysfunction.
Repetitive motion injuries
Repeated bending or twisting movements can cause strain and damage to spinal structures, which can lead to a subluxation of the vertebrae. Ergonomic measures to allow more efficient movement during work tasks can help to reduce the risk for subluxation injuries.
Poor posture
Bad posture can put constant pressure on vertebrae of the spine, which can eventually lead to misalignment and subluxation that causes pain, impaired movement and poor function throughout the body.
Effects of vertebral subluxations on health
Good function of the spinal column is essential to the health of the whole human body. When the body is out of alignment, internal organs can become compressed, cutting off normal blood flow. Muscles and ligaments can experience strains that lead to pain and impaired function. Nerve compression can affect strength, balance and comfort. For these reasons, appropriate treatment of vertebral subluxation is recommended to prevent effects on general health.
Impact on soft tissues
Misaligned spinal vertebrae can cause dysfunction throughout the body, due to muscles, tendons and ligaments having to compensate for the abnormal position of spinal bones. The individual may experience soreness, stiffness and problems with normal mobility.
Muscle tension and spasms
Misalignment in the vertebrae of the spine causes the body to compensate in other ways to provide normal movement. Muscles may work in different ways than they normally would in order to work around the misalignment, putting additional tension and strain on them. Subluxation can even cause muscles surrounding the misalignment to go into painful spasms that affect the ability to perform normal tasks.
Decreased range of motion
A vertebral subluxation causes an overlap onto adjacent vertebrae. As a result, the affected area of the spine may experience an impairment in flexibility and decreased range of motion. Treatment of subluxation, such as during chiropractic adjustment, helps to bring the vertebrae back to normal alignment, so the bones can move normally in relationship to each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a vertebral subluxation affect the body?
A subluxation can have a number of effects on the body. Because subluxations cause abnormal function of the spine, adjacent muscles, tendons and ligaments must all compensate, which can lead to discomfort, poor movement, balance problems, pinched nerves, sciatica and headaches.
Does subluxation get worse?
A vertebral subluxation can worsen, depending on the physical demands put on the body. If the person continues to use poor lifting technique, engages in constant repetitive motions or has progressive osteoarthritis that affects the spine, they may experience worsening symptoms of pain, poor flexibility, nerve damage and limited range of motion.
Can vertebral subluxation be cured?
Proper treatment of a vertebral subluxation can help to resolve the misalignment and allow full function of the affected spinal structures. Manual adjustment, corrective exercises, posture correction and nerve therapy can correct the problem and allow patients full relief from symptoms.
What are the symptoms of a subluxation of the lower back?
Subluxation in the lower back will generally produce low back pain, pain when bending or twisting, discomfort when standing or sitting for long periods, sciatic nerve problems and limited range of motion.
What are the long term effects of subluxation?
Unfortunately, a minor subluxation can become worse with continued movement and can cause increasing pain, impaired flexibility and more nerve involvement. If you know you have a subluxation, proper treatment can help to prevent worsening symptoms.
Is vertebral subluxation serious?
Vertebral subluxation may or may not be serious. A subluxation may not produce any symptoms, but may worsen as time passes. Some subluxations are severe and can have a significant impact on daily function.
Can you live with a subluxation?
Yes, you can live with a subluxation. Some subluxations are minor and cause no symptoms. Other subluxations may cause discomfort and can be managed with proper treatment. Special exercise techniques to realign spinal structures can be used to manage minor subluxations.
How bad is a subluxation?
A subluxation can be serious because it may affect comfort and spinal function. Subluxations may worsen over a period of time, causing increasing symptoms, including impaired nerve function and muscle spasms.
How long does spinal subluxation take to heal?
A vertebral subluxation can take from a few weeks to a few months to heal properly. The severity of the misalignment can affect healing time, as well as whether the individual continues to engage in movements that worsen the problem.
What does vertebral subluxation feel like?
The symptoms associated with vertebral subluxation depend on the severity of the misalignment of the bones. A minor subluxation may produce no symptoms at all. A more serious misalignment may involve pain on movement, impaired flexibility or numbness and tingling in the extremities, due to nerve impingement.
Is subluxation good or bad?
Subluxation is bad, because it indicates something is not working properly in the spinal column. As the foundation of all movement in the body, any dysfunction in how the spinal column works can be the source of discomfort and neurological issues that affect the entire body.
What is a subluxation of the vertebral body?
The individual vertebrae make up the majority of the spinal column. When one vertebra becomes misaligned, it can encroach on the discs and bones of adjacent vertebrae, leading to pain and other symptoms.
Can subluxation cause paralysis?
A subluxation of the vertebrae can be so severe that it compresses nerves in the lower spine and can lead to paralysis. Nerve compression caused by a vertebral subluxation can also cause impaired bladder or bowel control.
What exercises are good for vertebral subluxation?
According to the Harvard Health site, several exercises are helpful for stabilizing the spine and improving function. Lying on the floor with one knee bent and supporting the lower back with the hands, lift up the upper body as one whole section. Hold for 10 seconds and the lower the upper body. Repeat 5 times. Another exercise has the individual lying on the side with the upper body propped on your elbow. Lift the hips off the floor and hold for 10 seconds. Lower your hips and repeat 5 times on each side. Finally, do the bird dog position, in which you get down on your mat on hands and knees and stretch your right arm straight ahead of you and your left leg straight behind you, holding for 10 seconds. Return to start position and repeat on the opposite side. Repeat 5 times.
How do you treat vertebral subluxation?
Vertebral subluxations are generally treated with chiropractic manual adjustment and other techniques, to allow spinal structures to provide normal comfort, flexibility and range of motion. Exercise and stretched are often recommended to restore vertebrae to their normal positions. Massage can help muscle strain and weakness. Electrical stimulation therapy can help to improve nerve function and reduce numbness and tingling that is often a feature of misalignment of vertebrae.
Subluxation of spine symptoms
Common symptoms of vertebral subluxation are back pain, neck pain, headaches, herniated discs, sciatica, weakness in the legs, impaired flexibility and limited range of motion in the spine.
Vertebral subluxation causes
Common causes of vertebral subluxation include trauma from accidents, repetitive movements from work tasks or athletic activities, bad posture and degenerative conditions usually associated with aging. In some cases, genetic factors that involve weakness or abnormality in spinal structures may play a part in causing a vertebral subluxation.
Chiropractic subluxation debunked
The concept of vertebral subluxation has created some controversy in the medical community because of confusion about what is meant by the term. In traditional medicine, “subluxation” has meant a “partial dislocation” of a joint. However, in chiropractic, the term is used to mean less severe misalignments of the bones of the spine. Because of misunderstanding regarding the two uses of the term, some members of the chiropractic community have chosen not to use the term. However, many chiropractors continue to use the term “subluxation,” as a convenient way to describe a dysfunction in the proper alignment of the spinal column.
Is spinal subluxation serious?
A spinal subluxation can sometimes be serious, but it may not always be a serious health concern. A minor subluxation may not have any symptoms at all, and the individual can go for years without realizing a problem is present. However, in some cases, a subluxation can worsen, depending on activities, and cause increasing pain, problems with mobility and nerve impairment.
