What is a subluxation?
A subluxation is a term in the medical world that means "small dislocation" or "minor misalignment". In the chiropractic realm, we use the word subluxation or "vertebral subluxation complex" to describe a bone that is out of alignment that also affects the nervous system in some way. Not only will a subluxated bone cause changes that lead to arthritis, but it also causes overstretching of the muscles and ligaments that attach to the bone. If a misaligned bone is left untreated for a certain period of time, the body inevitably suffers.
How does the body suffer?
Here are the 5 major physical changes that accompany a vertebral subluxation. Acute indicates he initial changes while chronic is a long-standing untreated injury.
Kinesiopathy
Acute - Injury that causes a joint to be overstretched (strain/sprain) with possible tearing or rupture.
Chronic - Injury that has become less mobile (stuck) with decreased joint spacing, scar tissue formation, and improper function.
Neuropathology
Acute - Increased sensation of a nerve causing increased pain and reflex signals. Also increased blood flow to that region causing swelling and more pain.
Chronic - Nerve and blood deprivation to the injured area with decreased ability to sense joint position and increased sensitivity to pain.
Myopathology
Acute - Muscle stretch with increased nerve firing. This leads to muscle splinting to protect the area. (This can be felt as a "knot" in the muscle). Blood supply becomes trapped and muscles lose nourishment. The joint is held in misalignment.
Chronic - Muscle splinting over time causes atrophy and lost stretching ability.
Histopathology
Acute - Torn tissues become swollen and inflamed. The tissues may continue to be overstretched due to swelling. The immune system is used to heal injured tissues.
Chronic - Immune system begins laying down fibrous scar tissue in a disorganized fashion that is weak and injury-prone. Calcium deposits begin forming in the region.
Pathophysiology
Acute - Signs and symptoms of disease
Chronic - Signs and symptoms of disease
Put simply, the changes that occur are
Kinesiopathy
Acute - Injury that causes a joint to be overstretched (strain/sprain) with possible tearing or rupture.
Chronic - Injury that has become less mobile (stuck) with decreased joint spacing, scar tissue formation, and improper function.
Neuropathology
Acute - Increased sensation of a nerve causing increased pain and reflex signals. Also increased blood flow to that region causing swelling and more pain.
Chronic - Nerve and blood deprivation to the injured area with decreased ability to sense joint position and increased sensitivity to pain.
Myopathology
Acute - Muscle stretch with increased nerve firing. This leads to muscle splinting to protect the area. (This can be felt as a "knot" in the muscle). Blood supply becomes trapped and muscles lose nourishment. The joint is held in misalignment.
Chronic - Muscle splinting over time causes atrophy and lost stretching ability.
Histopathology
Acute - Torn tissues become swollen and inflamed. The tissues may continue to be overstretched due to swelling. The immune system is used to heal injured tissues.
Chronic - Immune system begins laying down fibrous scar tissue in a disorganized fashion that is weak and injury-prone. Calcium deposits begin forming in the region.
Pathophysiology
Acute - Signs and symptoms of disease
Chronic - Signs and symptoms of disease
Put simply, the changes that occur are
- loss of motion
- poor nerve communication and blood flow
- muscular injury
- cellular and tissue changes
- disease
