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What is a Subluxation?
Subluxation is a term used in the Chiropractic field to describe what happens when one of the vertebrae in your spine moves out of position. The word "subluxation" is derived from the Latin words meaning somewhat or slightly (sub) and to dislocate (luxate). When this happens, the misaligned vertebra creates pressure and stress on the spinal nerves, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels and surrounding muscles. This pressure and stress can cause an imbalance in the body's normal processe as the nerves in the spinal column extend to the entire body and its organs. As time goes on and the uncorrected subluxation settles, the damage to the nerve get progressively worse different stages of subluxation degeneration set in. Three percent of our nerves pick up "pain sensation". The other 97% you do not feel any sensation. So, for that 3% of nerves to be felt means there is something significant going on it that are of complaint. The subluxation is nicknamed the "Silent Killer."
Subluxations can occur in a number of ways a car accident, fall, sudden jar, or trauma are all examples of unique instances that may cause a subluxation. The other occurrence of subluxation comes from regular actions such as improper sleeping position, poor posture, or incorrect lifting processes. The effects of "gravity" itself has a profound reaction to the spine by leaning us more forward in posture. These mechanisms of injury also put added pressure on the discs in between the vertebra causing them to degenerate faster. Discs have many sensory nerves attached to them and when they are inflammed this will cause pain as well as nerve impingement.
Chiropractors are the only licensed specialists in detecting and correcting a subluxation and other misalignments. A Chiropractor can restore the misaligned vertebrae to their proper position in the spinal column. They do this manually by using the Chiropractic procedure known as "spinal adjustment". Your Chiropractor, in most cases, will use his or her "hands" (Latin=Chiro) in applying corrective pressure to the spine in a specific direction and location. The manual force or thrust helps restore the alignment and mobility of the vertebrae. In some cases, the Chiropractor may use instruments to detect a subluxation and adjust the spine. Under normal circumstances, Chiropractic adjustments are painless. In cases of trauma, such as car accident, some discomfort may be experienced due to inflammation. It is also common to feel a brief sensation in the extremities immediately following an adjustment due to the sudden decompression of the affected nerve root.
*Subluxation by definition: "A subluxation is the condition of a vertebra which has lost its proper juxaposition to the one above, below or both, to the extent less, than luxation, which puts pressure on nerves and interferes with the transmission of mental impulses"
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