Ask the Doctor: Dr. Emil Lara
What is a subluxation and how could I tell if I have one?
A subluxation is a condition of the joint where it is misaligned or restricted in its movement. It is not quite as severe as a dislocation, but can be the cause of a number of different symptoms and health issues. Because our spinal nerves pass between the joints in our spine, a subluxation can also result in pinching and irritation to those nerves. Some individuals may only experience stiffness or limited range of motion, while others may experience symptoms such as localized neck or back pain, headaches, or numbness and tingling. This type of nerve irritation can even affect the organ systems of our body, contributing to issues like hypertension or GI problems. While subluxations can be caused by trauma, such as sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents and falls, they can also occur due to prolonged or repetitive activities that we perform on a daily basis. If you experience these type of symptoms, there’s a good chance you have a subluxation, but the only way to truly know is to get checked by your chiropractor.
Are all patients adjusted the same way?
Every patient is adjusted in a unique way that is specific to the subluxation that they have. While chiropractors will use similar setup positions when adjusting a patient, the chiropractic adjustment will vary between patients depending on which joint is affected and what type of movement needs to be restored. As an example, the joints in our thoracic spine (upper and mid-back) are responsible for the majority of side bending and rotational motion in our back, while our lumbar spine (low back) is more responsible for forward and backward bending motion.