What is a "Subluxation?"

What is a "Subluxation?"

What is a Subluxation?

First, the simple explanation...

In simplest terms, a subluxation (a.k.a. Vertebral Subluxation) is when one or more of the bones of your spine (vertebrae) move out of position and create pressure on, or irritate spinal nerves. Spinal nerves are the nerves that come out from between each of the bones in your spine. This pressure or irritation on the nerves then causes those nerves to malfunction and interfere with the signals traveling over those nerves.

How does this affect your pet? Your pets nervous system controls and coordinates all the functions of your body. If you interfere with the signals traveling over nerves, parts of the body will not get the proper nerve messages and will not be able to function at 100% of their innate abilities. In other words, some part of the body will not be working properly.

It is the responsibility of the Doctor of Chiropractic to locate subluxations, and reduce or correct them. This is done through a series of chiropractic adjustments specifically designed to correct the vertebral subluxations in your spine. Chiropractors are the only professionals who undergo years of training to be the experts at correcting subluxations.

Now, the detailed explanation...

Subluxations are really a combination of changes going on at the same time. These changes occur both in the spine and throughout the body. For this reason chiropractors often refer to vertebral subluxations as the "Vertebral Subluxation Complex", or "VSC" for short.

In the VSC, various things are happening inside your pets body simultaneously. These various changes, known as "components," are all part of the vertebral subluxation complex. Chiropractors commonly recognize five categories of components present in the VSC. These five are:

The Osseous (bone) Component is where the vertebrae are either out of position, not moving properly, or are undergoing physical changes such as degeneration. This component is sometimes known as kinesiopathology.

The Nerve Component is the malfunctioning of the nerve. Research has shown that only a small amount of pressure on spinal nerves can have a profound impact on the function of the nerves. This component is scientifically known as neuropathology.

The Muscle Component is also involved. Since the muscles help hold the vertebrae in place, and since nerves control the muscles themselves, muscles are an integral part of any VSC. In fact, muscles both affect, and are affected by the VSC. This component is known as myopathology.

The Soft Tissue Component is when you have misaligned vertebrae and pressure on nerves resulting in changes in the surrounding soft tissues. This means the tendons, ligaments, blood supply, and other tissues undergo changes. These changes can occur at the point of the VSC or far away at some end point of the affected nerves. This component is also known as histopathology.

The Chemical Component is when all these components of the VSC are acting on your body, and therefore causing some degree of chemical changes. These chemical changes can be slight or massive depending on what parts of your body are affected by your subluxations. This component is often known as biochemical abnormalities.

Now, the more detailed explanation...

PATHOPHYSILOGY OF A SUBLUXATION (Nerve pressure, acute or chronic; due to a disc, bone spur, or misalignment)

There are two stages by which the spinal cord and/or spinal nerve is damaged following trauma. Initially there is primary tissue damage from: 1. direct mechanical disruption, followed by secondary damage via 2. biochemical and vascular events.

When cellular membrane integrity is disrupted, a complex cascade of biochemical reactions is initiated, including the release of excitototoxic amino acids, free radicals, free fatty acids, oxygen free radicals, and vasoactive agents. These membrane changes result in intracellular calcium, potassium, and sodium ion changes affecting the injured nerve.

When there is a decrease in blood flow to the nerve due to direct mechanical compression from the subluxated vertebra, bone spur, or disc material, it causes vasospasm and hemorrhage which leads to nerve ischemia. Ischemia results in cytotoxic edema, axonal degeneration, demyelization, abnormal impulse transmission, conduction block and cell death.

"The chiropractic approach to better health is to detect and reduce nervous system dysfunction...and we all feel this way, because Chiropractic works!"

"Cervical subluxation can also cause seizures, and this is something many pet owners don’t realize. I see this type of seizure a lot in dogs that are chained outside. They run out the length of their chain chasing after a bunny, and when the chain snaps back against the neck it causes a high cervical traumatic injury of either the C1 vertebrae (the atlas) or C2, the axis. "The C1 is the first cervical vertebrae in animals, and it articulates with the brain stem. When there is increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure in the brain stem, it can lead to a seizure.I recommend you harness your pet not only for walks, but also if he’s ever chained out. It’s important your pet is not able to increase pressure on the neck, because high cervical subluxations and other chiropractic issues in the neck can caused an increased likelihood of seizures." Karen Decker, DVM

*Disclaimer

Dr. Wasserman, Chiropractor, is not a veterinarian, nor does he practice veterinary medicine. The Certified Veterinary Chiropractitioner title and CVCP lettering indicate that he has completed the coursework and requirements for accreditation as a Certified Veterinary Chiropractitioner. Dr. Wasserman holds an international certification since Sepetember 26, 2001, certificate # 10101, directly from the International Association of Veterinary Chiropractitioners/W. Inman, D.V.M..Dr. Wasserman, is a chiropractor that consults with veterinarians under veterinary written referral ONLY and ONLY at a veterinary facility. To enhance the quality of veterinary care, Dr. Wasserman, Chiropractor, utilizes a non invasive technology called Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation or VOM. It is a technology that was developed in 1983 by W. Inman, D.V.M. that provides an alternative, non-surgical approach to spinal disorders and lameness. Many neuromuscular disorders can be treated by VOM, a non-invasive, non-painful, and inexpensive healing alternative. The services rendered by Dr. Wasserman, Chiropractor, are restricted to the VOM technologies. As with all clinical procedures, this technique is being applied without guarantee of cure or promise of relief. Dr. Wasserman, Chiropractor, will work directly in close cooperation with your veterinarian or the VCA facilities veterinarian. Dr. Wasserman always recommends to follow your veterinarian advice and prescribed medications and to seek specialty veterinary professional opinions if needed regarding the condition or treatment of your companion animal(s).