What is Subluxation?

In simplest terms, a subluxation is when one or more vertebrae in the spine become slightly misaligned, leading to pressure or irritation of the spinal nerves. When the spine loses its normal motion and position, it not only affects the nervous system but also causes wear and tear on the discs, ligaments, muscles, and other spinal tissues. The nervous system is the body’s communication system, and when its function is compromised by a subluxation, it can lead to various health issues, affecting overall well-being.

Chiropractic care focuses on identifying and correcting subluxations to help restore the spine's normal alignment, improve nerve function, and optimize overall health.

Research Summary on the Effects of Subluxation and Chiropractic Care

The research studies below examine the effects of subluxations on the body, particularly in children, and demonstrate the positive impact of chiropractic care in addressing these misalignments and promoting health.

1. Functional Disorders in Children

  • Study: Functional Disorders (Fixations) of the Spine in Children by Lewit K., Manuelle Therapie, 1973

  • Context: This study focuses on how subluxations and spinal dysfunctions manifest in children, particularly through functional disorders that may not present as pain but as other symptoms.

  • Results: In the study of 57 children with migraines, 48 experienced significant improvements after chiropractic manipulative therapy. Other functional disorders noted in children included sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, emotional issues, and menstrual problems (dysmenorrhea). The study found that 40% of schoolchildren exhibited pelvic subluxations, and 15.8% had cervical fixation. After chiropractic adjustments, these problems rarely recurred.

  • Implication: This research highlights that functional disorders in children may arise from spinal misalignments that are not associated with pain. Chiropractic care can help identify and correct these issues early, preventing more serious health problems later in life.

2. Vertebrogenic Disease in Children

  • Study: The Concept of Research of Vertebrogenic Disease in CSSR by Stary O., Acta Universitatis Carolinae, 1965

  • Context: This study examines vertebrogenic diseases, which refer to disorders caused by the vertebral column. Such diseases can often start in childhood, even before clinical symptoms emerge.

  • Results: The study found that more than half the population experiences vertebrogenic diseases at some point, with many beginning in childhood. Early intervention through chiropractic care can help prevent the progression of these diseases and improve long-term health outcomes.

  • Implication: This reinforces the importance of addressing spinal misalignments early on, as they can lead to serious health issues if left uncorrected. Chiropractic care offers a preventative approach that can reduce the risk of vertebrogenic disease.

3. Blocked Atlantal Nerve Syndrome in Infants

  • Study: Blocked Atlantal Nerve Syndrome in Infants and Small Children by Gutman G., ICA Review, 1990

  • Context: This study focuses on a condition known as blocked atlantal nerve syndrome, where misalignments in the first cervical vertebra (atlas) interfere with nerve impulses.

  • Results: The study presented case reports of infants with various issues, including frequent ear, nose, and throat infections, insomnia, cranial asymmetry, developmental delays, and seizures, all associated with spinal misalignments at the atlas. Chiropractic care was shown to correct these misalignments, leading to a reduction in the aforementioned symptoms.

  • Implication: The findings emphasize the importance of early spinal assessments in infants and children. Chiropractic care can alleviate symptoms and support proper growth and development by addressing spinal misalignments at an early stage.

4. Lumbar Dysfunction in Children

  • Study: Lumbar Dysfunctions in Children by Bourdillon JE, Day EA, Bookhout MR, Spinal Manipulation, 5th edition, 1992

  • Context: This study explored lumbar dysfunctions in primary school children, looking at the long-term effects of these dysfunctions if not addressed early.

  • Results: Many children were found to have lumbar misalignments that could become fixed and require more extensive treatment in adulthood if left uncorrected. These dysfunctions often began with minor injuries that went unnoticed until later in life. Chiropractic care was shown to be effective in correcting these issues early on.

  • Implication: This study highlights the importance of early intervention to address lumbar misalignments before they cause more significant problems in adulthood, such as chronic pain or other musculoskeletal issues.

5. Risk Factors for Low Back Pain in Adults

  • Study: Are Radiographic Changes in the Thoracic and Lumbar Spine of Adolescents Risk Factors for Low Back Pain in Adults? Spine, 1995

  • Context: This 25-year prospective cohort study followed 640 schoolchildren to determine risk factors for low back pain in adulthood.

  • Results: The study found that 36% of adolescents showed radiographic abnormalities in their thoracic and lumbar spines, which were associated with a higher incidence of low back pain in adulthood. Interestingly, the study also found an increased prevalence of mental health issues, such as fear and depression, in individuals with spinal abnormalities.

  • Implication: The research suggests that early signs of spinal misalignments, even without obvious symptoms, could lead to long-term problems like chronic back pain and mental health issues. Chiropractic care may help correct these issues before they progress into more significant health problems.

6. Vertebral Subluxation and Various Health Complaints in Children

  • Study: Vertebral Subluxation Correlated with Somatic, Visceral, and Immune Complaints: An Analysis of 650 Children Under Chiropractic Care by Ogi Ressel, BSc, DC, DACBR(C), & Robert Rudy, BSc, DC, FICPA, 2004

  • Context: This study investigated the relationship between vertebral subluxations and various health complaints in children, particularly those under chiropractic care.

  • Results: The study identified a new subluxation pattern, known as the Pelvic Distortion Subluxation Complex (PDSC), which was present in 96% of the children studied. The most common complaints associated with this pattern were somatic (musculoskeletal), visceral (organ-related), and immune system issues. The study found that correcting these subluxations through chiropractic care led to improvements in these health complaints.

  • Implication: This study reinforces the connection between spinal misalignments and various health issues in children, including musculoskeletal pain, immune dysfunction, and digestive issues. Chiropractic care can effectively address these misalignments and help alleviate a wide range of health problems.

Conclusion: The Impact of Subluxation and the Role of Chiropractic Care

Subluxations, or spinal misalignments, can have far-reaching effects on the body, especially in children. These misalignments can cause or exacerbate a range of health issues, from musculoskeletal pain to immune system dysfunction. The research reviewed here underscores the importance of early detection and correction of subluxations through chiropractic care. By addressing these misalignments, chiropractic care helps restore normal nerve function, support proper development, and improve overall health and well-being.

Source Citations:

  1. Lewit K., Manuelle Therapie, 1973.

  2. Stary O., Acta Universitatis Carolinae, 1965.

  3. Gutman G., ICA Review, 1990.

  4. Bourdillon JE, Day EA, Bookhout MR, Spinal Manipulation, 5th edition, 1992.

  5. Spine, 1995.

  6. Ogi Ressel BSc, DC, DACBR(C), & Robert Rudy BSc, DC, FICPA, 2004.