When talking, reading, or researching about chiropractic care, you may often hear the word subluxation. What exactly is a subluxation though, and how does it influence health?

A subluxation is essentially the partial dislocation of a joint. The word comes from the Latin word sub meaning “somewhat or slight” and the the word luxate meaning “to dislocate” (a full dislocation is known as a luxation). As a chiropractic office in boise, we specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of what is called a spinal or vertebral subluxation, or a dislocation or misalignment of the spine.    

Why is a Subluxation Important?

The spine is the motherboard of the body. It is the link between and communication source for all of the different components in your body, so keeping it in tip top shape is essential to proper health. Depending on the location and the severity of the subluxation, back aches, head aches, and pain can result initially. This pain is what originally causes people to search out a back doctor. If not treated properly problems can worsen over time, potentially resulting in chronic pain, arthritis, inflammation, bone spurs, muscle trigger points, muscle weakness or spasm, or loss of movement.

How is it Resolved?

Boise Chiropractors realign the spine typically through what is called an adjustment. A chiropractic adjustment is a quick and painless thrust applied to a vertebra, correcting the vertebral positioning and movement. These adjustments allow the body to heal as they restore the spine’s original structure, returning the spine to a comfortable and regular state as it removes vertebral subluxations. Consequently this also removes the pressure and irritation placed on nerves, restoring the mobility of the joints and creating back relief.

Depending on the severity of the concern, multiple adjustments for a period of time may be needed in order to permanently correct problems, prevent reoccurrence, and reteach the body how to hold its position. As top Idaho chiropractors, we may also suggest other methods in order to treat, fix and prevent problems such as massage, stretching,  physical therapy, or strengthening exercises.  

How is Health Influenced?

While all kinds of factors can lead to a subluxation, including physical, emotional, mental, or chemical stressors, and they can create all kinds of problems, they are most often influenced by and consequently influence five known components.

A bone component is a vertebra that is either out of position, not moving properly, or is degenerating. This typically causes the spaces between the bones of the spine to narrow. Because these spaces are where the nerves pass, pinched nerves or nerve irritation often result.

A nerve component is a disruption in the flow of energy along the nerve fibers, causing the messages traveling along the nerves to become distorted.  This results in the tissues fed by those nerves to receive distorted signals and lose the ability to function normally.

A muscular component is usually caused by a preexisting subluxation that irritates the nerve connected to a muscle, causing it to spasm. This spasm then pulls the attached vertebrae further out of place. The pulling on the vertebrae can even further irritate the nerve, creating a vicious cycle.

A soft tissue component is also typically caused by a preexisting subluxation. As the misaligned vertebrae pulls with great force on the connective tissue, the soft tissues can become stretched out or scarred, leaving the spine with either a permanent instability or restriction.

A chemical component is a change in the chemistry of the body due to a subluxation. These changes typically increase inflammation in the affected area.