Syracuse chiropractor, chiropractor in Syracuse, NY

What is a Subluxation?

Subluxation is a term used in the field of chiropractic to describe

bones that have shifted out of position enough to cause a protective response by their surrounding tissues.

When very severely displaced, subluxations are obvious and clearly noticed on an xray, but in most cases they are not as obvious. Often a subluxation is indicated on xray by areas of increased arthritic change, thinning of the surrounding discs and tilting of a vertebra in relation to the one above or below it. However, radiologists often classify these changes as "normal" because they are so common.

The word subluxation is derived from the Latin words meaning somewhat or slightly (sub) and to dislocate (luxate). When a subluxation happens, the misaligned vertebra creates pressure and stress on the spinal nerves, blood vessels, surrounding muscles and associated joint structures. Subluxations can result in local and widespread disruption of the body's normal responses since the nerves within the spinal column affected by subluxations ultimately extend to the entire body and its organs. Because the human structural system is a closed biomechanical loop, subluxations generally happen as complexes, with counter-rotations and rebalancing as we compensate to remain relatively upright. As time goes on and the uncorrected subluxation complex settles in, the damage to the nerves, joints and muscles get progressively worse and escalating stages of subluxation degeneration set in.

Subluxations can occur in a number of ways. There are many combinations of mechanical, chemical and psychological factors that can cause our bodies to become subluxated, or misaligned. In reality, everyone is subluxated to some degree at any given time. There are very few perfectly balanced human frames out there! The beauty of chiropractic is that adjustments can help the body realign for optimum healing when there is an injury and help keep the dynamic systems of the body functioning more optimally with every adjustment. Your spine will heal when injured, but it will heal best if it is in a balanced alignment while healing. Periodic adjustments are helpful anytime to reduce the traumatizing effects of a busy lifestyle. Consider that even the best quality tires will wear out given enough time. However, if they remain balanced, have the right amount of air in them and avoid potholes, curbs and nails they are likely to last the longest! Chiropractic care can help your body last the longest too.

Chiropractors are specialists in correcting subluxations and its damaging effects on associated tissues. A chiropractor can restore misaligned vertebrae in the spine and other joints in the body to their proper position. They do this by using chiropractic procedures known as adjustments. Adjustments to the spine are also sometimes referred to as spinal manipulation. Your chiropractor will use his or her hands, or an adjusting instrument, to apply corrective pressures to the spine, and/or other joints involved, in specific directions and locations. The manual forces or thrusts helps restore the alignment and mobility of the entire human frame. Chiropractors often also perform a variety of soft tissue techniques to help relax and balance the muscles affected by the subluxation complex.

Under normal circumstances, chiropractic adjustments are very comfortable. People of all ages LOVE getting adjustments! In cases where trauma, such as a car accident, has resulted in significant inflammation and muscle spasm, some discomfort may be experienced associated with the inflammation. It is also common to feel a brief sensation in the extremities immediately following an adjustment due to the sudden decompression of the affected nerve root. It is well documented in the research literature that spinal manipulation typically results in a release of endorphins into the local tissue surrounding the area adjusted. Endorphins are natural pain modulating chemicals and are sometimes called the "feel good" chemicals. If endorphins are a natural response of the body to spinal adjustments, it must be something good!