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Understanding Vertebral Subluxation in Chiropractic
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“Vertebral” refers to the bones of the spine (vertebrae), and “subluxation” describes the misalignment of those bones. But this literal translation doesn’t even come close to capturing the significance of vertebral subluxations to the practice of chiropractic, the everyday performance of our bodies and our capacity to maintain health and well-being over the long term.
To truly understand vertebral subluxation, we must examine it in context – and that warrants a closer look at what is arguably the body’s most important command system.
The Central Nervous System
The Central Nervous System (CNS) is comprised of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. From the brain, nerves travel down the spinal cord, branch out from between each of our 24 vertebrae, and extend to all areas of the body. The spine is the channel along which information is transmitted to and from the brain, permitting us to move, see, breath and speak. Students in chiropractic college learn that when vertebrae become misaligned, this may put pressure and irritate the nerves that convey messages throughout the CNS; the information is then distorted or lost in transmission.
We rely on the central nervous system, not just for basic everyday functions, but for ongoing processes like cell repair and growing new tissue. Due to subluxations interfering with the central command system, they have the capacity to impact organ health and immune system functions, as well as impair the feeling of health and vitality.
Role of Chiropractic in Correcting Subluxations
With the understanding that the central nervous system is critical to our survival, chiropractic focuses on identifying and correcting vertebral subluxations that may impede the CNS from functioning optimally.
Chiropractic education provides students with the theory and practical techniques needed to locate, analyze, and correct subluxations, ensuring that the nervous system is working properly and delivering messages to and from the rest of the body. Rather than treating symptoms, chiropractors help create the circumstances necessary for the body to effectively regulate and heal itself. This is why regular check-ups with the chiropractor (before any symptoms appear) are best practice for sustaining good health.
What Causes Vertebral Subluxations?
Subluxations are a result of the stresses we inflict upon our bodies each and every day. Some stresses are exceptional, caused by a traumatic event, like a motor vehicle accident or a bad fall. Others are far more ordinary, such as stress or a sedentary lifestyle like hunching over a computer all day. Chiropractors confirm that the very first vertebral subluxations may occur at birth when the spine is twisted and pulled during delivery. And as we grow and achieve milestones like walking, running, riding a bicycle and participating in sports, we expose our bodies to stress that can result in misalignment. Professionals who have already launched a chiropractic career will often observe parents bringing their children in to be checked for subluxation days after birth.
When the relationships between the spine, the central nervous system, and vertebral subluxations are understood, it becomes clearer as to why regular check-ups with a doctor of chiropractic are needed.
How would you demonstrate the concept of vertebral subluxation to a new patient?
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