Subluxation of the Spine
What is a subluxation?
Simply put a subluxation is a joint which lacks normal movement because it is either fixated or slightly out of place (misalignment). The word “subluxation” comes from the Latin words meaning “to dislocate” (luxare) and “somewhat or slightly” (sub). These disturbances may irritate nerve roots and the blood vessels which branch off from the spinal cord between each of the vertebrae. This irritation may cause pain and dysfunction in muscle, lymphatic and organ tissue, as well as neurologic imbalance in the normal body processes.
This subluxation may decrease the sensory information which is sent to the brain from areas affected by this nerve root, this is a key component in the body's ability to heal itself. In other words, if the brain does not know there is a problem then it may not start the process of healing.
What can cause a subluxation?
Many things can cause a subluxation of a joint: a fall, injury, sudden jar, trauma, or sometimes an inherited spinal weakness can displace a vertebra. Other causes include improper sleeping conditions or habits, poor posture, occupational hazards, incorrect lifting practices, obesity, lack of rest and exercise, and stress.
How is a subluxation corrected?
Doctors of Chiropractic are specialists in neuromusculoskeletal conditions. They are trained to restore the misaligned vertebrae to their proper position in the spinal column. They do this manually, utilizing the chiropractic procedure known as “spinal adjustment”.
Correcting the subluxation may be done through a variety of ways, including non-force, activator, respiratory corrections and the most commonly known manual adjustment. The adjustment, thrust or manual force helps restore the alignment and mobility of the vertebrae.
Depending on your condition and sensitivity to being adjusted Dr. Best may use one or a combination of adjustment procedures.
Does the Adjustment Hurt?
Under normal circumstances, chiropractic adjustments are painless. In cases of recent trauma, such as whiplash, mild discomfort may be experienced due to inflammation. Reactive muscles may spasm in some cases due to being stretched, Dr. Best uses neuromuscular stimulation to corrected these reactive muscles as they arise.
Is regular chiropractic care necessary?
Regular chiropractic care may be necessary to correct spinal subluxations to help maintain sound health and fitness. Your spine is under constant strain during waking hours. Improper lifting techniques, poor posture, accidents, falls and bumps, and other causes can contribute to spinal strain. Timely adjustments can help restore the neuromusculoskeletal integrity of the spine to normalize the bodily equilibrium and increase resistance.
Who should get chiropractic care?
Chiropractic patients range in years from birth to old age. Regardless of age, the vertebrae can become misaligned. For example, the birth process may cause trauma to the neck and spine. Left uncorrected, the vertebral subluxation may disturb the delicate spinal cord and nerves which control the youngster's muscles and organs. In some cases, an uncorrected subluxation may lead to a deformity of the spinal column. An early chiropractic checkup may detect many spinal problems while they are still easily correctable.
How will the chiropractic adjustment help me?
Chiropractic adjustments by themselves do not actually heal the body. When any of the 24 moveable spinal vertebrae become misaligned, a basic imbalance or disruption can occur in the nervous and blood vascular systems, which may contribute to stress in the body. Chiropractic adjustments help eliminate that imbalance or disruption so that the body can function at its true potential.
Does the adjustment have to make noise to be effective?
No, it is a common misconception that your joints must make a noise to be properly adjusted. However, more often than not when your vertebrae are adjusted, the smooth articular (joint) surfaces become separated, creating and then releasing a small vacuum, making a noise. This is the sound made when you crack your knuckles. Dr. Best is concerned with the position of your vertebrae, not with the noise that may occur.
Should I go to a chiropractor even if I feel fine?
Even if you feel fine, chiropractic care can help your body maintain its required level of health and fitness. Dr. Best can recommend a preventive spinal-care program and advise you on correct posture, dietary information and back exercises. Regular spinal checkups can help detect and prevent spinal stress due to subluxations.
The basic concept and philosophy of chiropractic is to restore normal motion and alignment of the spine and extremities, while improving the muscular strength and integrity of the ligaments which maintain the alignment.
This is so vital as the communication from the brain to body is via the nervous system and it is only as good as the proper movement of the joints.
Applied Kinesiology is a system developed by Dr. George Goodheart, D.C., to study the reaction of the body to muscle stimulus. The examiner can find either strong or weak muscles through manual muscle testing. Each muscle has a relationship to various organs and meridians of the body. The examiner can utilize this process to help determine what correction need to be made in order to strengthen the body, whether it is physical, chemical or emotional in its origin.
This is not like most practitioners who say they do "muscle testing." Dr. Best is an ICAK certified practitioner of AK and has study and taught more than 1,000 hours of the this specific technique. Reliability in testing comes with experience.
Dr. Best is proficient in many manual adjusting techniques, including Diversified, Gonstead, Thompson, but may also use "LOW-FORCE" adjusting.
Primarily in low force adjusting Dr. Best uses the Activator adjustment. Corrections are made possible because all the force from the instrument is applied to a very small specific area of the spine. This provides not only very specific adjusting, but does so because the body creates very little resistance to the Activator instrument as mechanoreceptors barely engage, allowing for improved movement in the area being adjusted.
Dr. Best also utilizes sacro-occipital technique and blocking for more low-force adjusting protocols.
Dr. Best realizes that there are 3 influences in the Triad of Health. Any stress in these three areas: structural, chemical and emotional - can adversely affect a person's health.
Chiropractic adjusting, core building and physiotherapy treat the structure. Nutritional imbalances and environmental exposure to toxins affect the chemical stress of the body, which in turn can affect the mind.
Meditation, visualization and reconnecting with nature and source may nurture the mind and spirit.
All elements need to be balanced in the body for perfect health.
Dr. Best has written the book "Rewriting Your Life - An Owner's Manual" which is a technical book to apply principles which help to 'rewire' your brain. Often times we can't stop worrying about the future or rehashing the past which gets in the way of creating what we want in our life. It also may adversely affect our health by the way we think.
In this book and seminars Dr. Best offers, you will learn how the brain works and how to implement real life changes to create more happiness and better health. Enter this site now.