This topic is one that can be super deep. There are many ideas that Chiropractors will disagree on, and things falling under subluxation can very well be one of them. So for now we will stick to a very easy and widely accepted definition of a subluxation. R.W. Stephenson in his book The Chiropractic Textbook gives us this definition:
Art. 26. THE CHIROPRACTIC DEFINITION OF SUBLUXATION. (See Prin. 31.) A subluxation is the condition of a vertebra that has lost its proper juxtaposition with the one above or the one below, or both; to an extent less than a luxation; which impinges nerves and interferes with the transmission of mental impulses. All the factors of the foregoing definition must be given to make it complete and to make it Chiropractic. The student is advised to learn it verbatim. Dislocations and fractures, also, can impinge nerves and interfere with the transmission of mental impulses, but fractures and dislocations are not in the realm of Chiropractic.
R.W. Stephenson
TDLR: A Subluxation is when a vertebrae (or any other bone) is not in its proper position, which in turn will interfere with the signals being sent to and from the brain.
These signal Interferences cause a multitude of problems. Without the proper communication the body is not in a state to properly heal itself, leading to a whirlwind of problems.
For me, subluxation is a very intricate subject so I will try and explain a little bit.
Each and every person’s body has the ability to heal itself. If someone gets cut, it will scab over and eventually heal. The same can be said for any other ailment. Many times this healing process is hindered or stopped due to subluxations.
A subluxation is an imbalance or restriction usually found within the spinal column. Subluxations can impede the nervous system’s ability to communicate. In order for your brain to communicate with every portion of your body, it must send a signal down the spinal column and out through holes in your vertebrae. These vertebrae naturally have movement in them, and through daily wear and tear, they may become stuck in a particular position due to inflammation in the joint.
Imagine that the spinal cord is like a freeway. There are many entrances and exits on the freeway; these are like the nerves entering in and out of the spine. Everything can run smoothly when the roads are good and there is no construction happening. However, the instance a lane is closed for whatever reason, traffic builds up or sometimes may be brought to a dead stop. That road closure is the subluxation.
As chiropractors, our job is to find and clear out the “roadblocks” opening up the closed lanes in your body. Clearing these “roadblocks” is done by chiropractors through osseous adjusting or adjusting of bones. As chiropractors, we do not heal the body. We clear out the interference, which allows the body to heal itself more efficiently. The body may do so because it can communicate better and open the pathways for our bodies to receive the treatment needed.
Dr. Stephenson;s book: The Chiropractic Textbook
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