In simplest terms, a subluxation (a.k.a. Vertebral Subluxation) is when one or more of the bones of your spine (vertebrae) move out of position and create pressure on, or irritate spinal nerves. Spinal nerves are the nerves that come out from between each of the bones in your spine. This pressure or irritation on the nerves then causes those nerves to malfunction and interfere with the signals traveling over the nerves.

How does this affect you? Your nervous system controls and coordinates all the functions of your body. If you interfere with the signals traveling over nerves, parts of your body will not get the proper nerve messages and will not be able to function at 100% of their innate abilities. In other words, some part of your body will not be working properly. It is the responsibility of the Doctor of Chiropractic to locate subluxations, and reduce or correct them. This is done through a series of chiropractic adjustments specifically designed to correct the vertebral subluxations in your spine. Chiropractors are the only professionals who undergo years of training to be the experts at correcting subluxations.

Many things can lead to a vertebral subluxation. Some of the more common causes are:

• A vertebra going out of place (“misalignment”) because of a slip or fall.

• The entire spine misaligning globally due to poor posture.

• Joint swelling caused by damage done to the intervertebral joint.

• An inflammatory response caused by a poor diet, lack of pure water or psychological stress.

• or degenerative changes of the spine or intervertebral discs.

• Trigger points and tight back muscles that pull the vertebrae out of place.