Three Most Common Effects of a Verterbal Subluxation
A vertebral subluxation causes abnormal function. 90% of these changes are subconscious in nature. They are asymptomatic, meaning they have no physical or mental indicator that there is a problem. A vertebral subluxation alters posture, exacerbates inflammation, and increases the production of stress hormones.
Change Posture
Flexion is a reflex of the brain to protect the body. A simple example: What does your body do when it hears a loud noise, say from a firecracker that you didn’t know was going to go off? You reflexively wince forward. This harkens back to the fetal position we all found ourselves in when in the womb.
A subluxation puts the body more into a state of flexion. Chronic flexion strains the muscles of the spine. This can lead to bad postural habits and weaken or imbalance the muscles of the spine.
Increased inflammation
Strained muscle tissue releases chemical mediators of inflammation. In the short term, this can be a protective response aimed at healing the injured area.
If a muscle strain persists, this can shift the inflammatory process into a chronic state. Chronic inflammation increases the production of fibrinogen and collagen. This causes fibrosis, the formation of scar tissue.
Increased Stress Hormone Production
When a muscle is strained, the body releases hormones such as cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine. This is part of what is called the Stress Response. The Stress Response activates behavioral and physiological changes that aim to adjust homeostasis within the body. This is designed to be a short-term response for protection and survival.
Repeated stimulation of the Stress Response may cause tissue to become resistant. This allostatic load initiates a cascade that can lead to disease and illness.
By correcting a vertebral subluxation, the body can start the process of turning pathophysiology into normal physiology. Posture improves, inflammation decreases and stress hormones are reduced.
- Jarek Esarco, DC, CACCP
Related Blogs:
Other Resources:
Jarek Esarco, DC, CACCP is a pediatric, family wellness and upper cervical specific Chiropractor. He is an active member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA). Dr. Jarek has postgraduate certification in Pediatric Chiropractic through the ICPA. Dr. Jarek also has postgraduate certification in the HIO Specific Brain Stem technique through The TIC Institute. Dr. Jarek is happily married to his wife Regina. They live in Youngstown, Ohio with their daughter Ruby
