Instead of just covering up your symptoms, your Doctor of Chiropractic is primarily interested in detecting, correcting, and preventing the vertebral subluxation, thus reducing or eliminating your symptoms. Normally the joints of your body move on their own, however sometimes they can move too much or not enough. Since the nerves exit through the vertebrae, when there is not proper motion, the nervous system is affected. A vertebral subluxation is when the vertebrae are not moving correctly.

Five parts to a subluxation-

Kinesiopathology- the vertebrae become either less mobile ("fixation") or too mobile. When this occurs, the person is unable to turn, bend or move in every direction without being in pain.

Neuropathophysiology- the nerves become affected and the person may feel pain, tingling, numbness, and/or a pins and needles sensation.  Since the nerves
control everything in the body, dysfunction in the nervous system can cause symptoms everywhere in the body.
 
Myopathology- the muscles become tight, in spasm, sore, and/or weak.

Histopathology- one may have swelling, tenderness, trigger points, and/or changes in the ligaments, cartilage, discs, tendons, and organs.  

Pathophysiology- the joints, muscles, ligaments and organs may show signs of wear and tear and may become less resistant to disease. Spinal nerves exiting the vertebrae tear and may become less resistant to disease.

Subluxations are caused by either macro or micro stress.  Examples of macro-stress would include birth, falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, and other trauma.  Examples of micro-stress would include repeated movements, poor posture, emotional stress and chronic tension.

Although the subluxation is the most common form of interference on the nervous system, many people do not always know when a subluxation is present. A chiropractor can detect and correct the subluxations by adjusting the patient. By adjusting the subluxation, the chiropractor can help the nervous system work the best that it can. Just like a termite, a subluxation can do a great deal of damage before you realize that it is there. For this reason, periodic spinal examinations by your chiropractor should be a part of your entire family’s health routine.