Signs and Symptoms of Chiropractic Problems:
We commonly think about going to a chiropractor for back and neck pain. But the importance of chiropractic health goes much deeper than pain. Chiropractic problems, even silent ones, can have a damaging effect on the central nervous system. These problems don't always show up as pain. In fact, a number of common health problems in both adults and children can results from the disruption of proper nerve function in the body, without causing any noticeable symptoms in the spine.
Vertebral Subluxation (vur-tee'bruhl sub'luk-say'shun): A spinal bone that has lost its normal motion or position resulting in disruption of proper nerve communication to the body.
1. Kinesiopathology - Abnormal Mobility
When a spinal joint loses its proper alignment it is unable to move properly. Even a simply action like getting into a car or throwing a ball requires nearly every single joint in the body. This loss of proper motion disturbs what is referred to as the kinetic chain - the total series of movements that occur through multiple joints when we are performing a single action. A single misalignment anywhere in the system can lead to damage and injury at remote areas of the body.
Consider for a moment just the role of the neck in the simple action of throwing a ball. You hold the ball in your right hand, turning your body to the right as your neck stays focused on the target causing it to turn to its far left. As you throw you rotate your body to the left and as you do the neck rotates to its far right to stay focused on the target. This action requires a 180 degree turn of the neck from the far left to the far right. Alteration in just this one area (or any other area in the kinetic chain) will cause undue stress on the shoulder joint. This can lead to injury and rapid degeneration of the shoulder. Because subluxations occur in children as well as adults it important to have your kid's spines checked regularly.
2. Neuropathology - Abnormal Nerve Function
There are three types of nerves in the body so subluxations can cause three general types of problems.
Sensory Nerves - Feeling
The first type are sensory nerves that carry information about things like touch, temperature, pressure, the position of our body and joints and pain to our brain. Interference to a sensory nerve can create symptoms like pain, tingling or numbness.
Motor Nerves - Muscles
The second type of nerves are motor nerves. These carry information from the brain to the muscles to control movement of the body. Pressure or irritation to a motor nerve can cause muscle weakness or spasm.
Autonomic Nerves - Internal Organs
The third type of nerves are the autonomic or visceral nerves. These nerves carry information between the brain and the body to regulate organ, glandular and vascular function in the body. They also provide important factors that keep the target tissues healthy. You tissues need a continuous nerve supply to stay healthy in the same way that they need a continual blood supply. Take away either and you're going to have unhealthy tissues.
Involvement of the sensory or motor nerves can be more obvious. If you're experiencing pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness or muscle spasm you should consider having your spine checked. But pressure or irritation on an autonomic nerve may not produce any discernible symptoms at all. Pressure on spinal nerves to an internal organ can gradually rob us of our health without even giving us a clue. Many common general health problems like high blood pressure, digestive problems and respiratory problems can result from subluxation.
3. Myopathology - Abnormal Muscle Function
Like a small cavity in a tooth, the effects of subluxation may not be obvious at first. In time muscles must begin performing work that they were not designed to do. A silently misaligned sacroiliac (pelvic) joint on one side may cause us to slightly transfer weight to the other foot as we go about the activities of daily life. In a short time the imbalance will lead to strain and damage.
4. Histopathology - Inflammation & Swelling
Subluxation causes tissue strain which causes degenerative changes to the ligaments, discs and other connective tissue. This weakens the ability of the body to hold its proper alignment. It also interferes with proprioceptive function which is the bodies ability to control its own physical movement, balance and alignment. Histopathology can begin within a few days or weeks of a subluxation which is another reason to have your spine checked and adjusted on a regular basis. Again, like a cavity in a tooth, these changes cannot be felt until they reach a fairly high degree of damage.
5. Pathology - Degenerative Changes
The cumulative effects altered mechanical, nerve, muscle and soft tissue function leads to pathological changes in the spine and the target organs of the affected nerves. Locally in the spine these changes are seen as fibrous scar tissue buildup, calcium deposits and other osteoarthritic degenerative changes. In the muscles these changes are seen as chronic, unrelenting muscle tension, fibrous changes in the muscles and muscle dysfunction such as weakness and spasm. In the neurological target organs the effects are disruption of normal blood flow leading to organ illness, changes in biochemistry and hormone balance. Because the autonomic nervous system regulates nearly all functions in the body there are practically and unlimited number of different illnesses, diseases and disorders that can result from vertebral subluxation.
No matter what your health challenge, it's important to keep the spine and nervous system functioning as clear of interference as possible. Chiropractic care helps prevent degenerative changes that lead to failing health and unleashes the innate power of the body to overcome illness and achieve greater well being.
Dr. Philip Greenwood, D.C.
Murrieta, California
