What is a subluxation?

   The term subluxation has multiple meanings and is used in a variety of ways. An early definition of a subluxation was bone out of place. Newer definitions are more elaborate and classify a subluxation as a joint dysfunction which has a negative impact on the nervous system and entire body. Each chiropractor follows a different philosophy when it comes to subluxations. I focus on looking for health care problems you may have then apply my skills as a chiropractor to fix them. To me, a subluxation is only one part of the chiropractic realm.



   My personal interpretation of subluxation deals with the interference of the nervous system which has a global impact on the body's life force or energy flow. You can almost think of a subluxation as being similar to something that is clogged, restricted, or blocked such as a fuel line, a garden hose, a frayed electrical cord, a narrowed blood vessel, or so on. If there isn't a proper flow of a nerve impulse, then the area being neglected is impaired. As a result, those neglected structures, organs, and joints begin to weaken in one way or another, possibly leading to failure.



   Some supposed experts dispute this concept of a subluxation. They call it mumbo jumbo or hoodie voodie, yet a very simple rebuttal to their ignorance could be shown within a few minutes. If you tightly wrap a rubber band around the base of a finger, within ten minutes or so, pain will begin to set in and the finger will become discolored. The pain is due to an irritant upon the nerves such as the digital branches of the radial and median nerves and the discoloration is due to the impaired blood flow. Imagine tightening the rubber band periodically and leaving it in place for a for a few hours, a few days, or longer. In most scenarios, the finger may die due to a lack of proper nerve and blood supply. (Disclaimer: Do not attempt to do this!)

   While this may sound extreme, if the nervous system is neglected then serious implications may occur. After all, if you talk to any rancher or farmer, one method of castrating livestock is through the application of tight rubber bands. After a short time, the Rocky Mountain Oysters fall right off!



   One of the most common areas where nerve impulse interference may occur is at the junction where the nerve fibers branch off of the spinal cord and run through openings in the vertebral bodies/joints known as intervertebral foramina. Due to bone/joint malpositions, arthritic effects, disk herniations, injuries, metastases, and so on, the foramen opening may narrow causing pressure on that particular nerve root, dorsal root ganglion, and vessels. When this happens, symptoms may appear in a variety of ways.

   Fortunately a majority of subluxation scenarios can be reversed with chiropractic treatments, however, if neglected for too long permanent changes may occur which may make the treatment that much more challenging. Some factors for prognosis and treatment outcome deal with the age of the patient, health status, prior health history, family health history, and attitude.

   Side note: For a long time I've had a difficult time conceptualizing what subluxation means. After treating quite a few people over the past six or seven years now, I think I finally have a good grasp of what it means.

What is Chiropractic?

What is chiropractic
   Chiropractic is a natural form of health care which focuses on the treatment and maintenance of the neuromusculoskeletal system (NMS) primarily as well as every other system of the human body. By allowing the body to exist in optimal form, activities of daily living are more functional and pleasurable.

Is it for me
   Just as regular visits to the dentist, a visit to the chiropractor is very beneficial. Very few people are fortunate to have few or no health care problems. For many people there are areas in the body which may be problematic. In many cases, these areas often go unnoticed for years or until a serious injury occurs.
   As a chiropractic physician, one goal is to find problematic areas and treat them before they turn into noticeable, chronic areas. While some health care practitioners may appear to know how to treat NMS conditions thoroughly and effectively, it is the chiropractor who has spent the greatest deal of time learning and treating these types of conditions.

The adjustment
   The primary way that a chiropractor treats a patient is through the application of a chiropractic manipulative therapy or more commonly called an adjustment. A typical adjustment consists of an accurate and specific high velocity, low amplitude controlled force applied to a joint. In other words, an adjustment is a very fast yet shallow push on a joint that is restricted or subluxated. A subluxation is the generic phrase for a bone malposition or joint restriction which results in potential problems to the neuromusculoskeletal system.
   When an adjustment is made, the joint may produce a popping noise also known as a cavitation. As the adjustment is applied, the joint is moved so quickly that the fluids in the joint create an expanding carbon dioxide bubble. As the joint begins to approximate, the bubble pops creating the classic popping noise similar to when a knuckle in your finger pops.
   The effects of an adjustment are very therapeutic and include promoting an increase in joint movement, introduction of oxygenated blood and nutrients to the joint, and pain relief to the area via release of enkephalins which are natural pain killers produced by your body.

Best regards,
Dr. Joe