One of the most common causes of back pain, and the reason many people choose to visit a chiropractor is sublaxation. This is a condition in which a spinal disc moves out of position, putting pressure on the spinal nerves, which, in turn, creates problems with the transfer of signals through the nerves. Sublaxation is a result of multiple processes in the body, which is why many chiropractors refer to the condition as the Vertibral Sublaxation Complex, or VSC. There are five components of change in the VSC. This first is the osseous bone component or kinesiopathology. In this component, the vertebrae are either out of position, not moving properly, or going through physical changes like degeneration. The nerves are also involved in the VSC, and this component is known as neuropathology. This involves problems with the transfer of signals along the nerves. Even a tiny amount of pressure on a nerve can severely impact the transfer of signals. The third component is myopathology, or changes in the muscle. Muscles hold vertebrae in place, and the nerves control the muscles, so muscle problems are both a cause and an effect of the VSC. The fourth component is the soft tissue, or histopathology. When the vertebrae are out of alignment, it affects, irritates, and inflames the surrounding soft tissue, including ligaments, tendons, and blood vessels. The fifth and final component of the VSC is the chemical component. Spinal disorders cause biochemical abnormalities in your body, which can be minor or serious, depending on the degree of the sublaxation.
Despite the complicated interplay of elements involved in the VSC, a chiropractor can treat sublaxation with a simple spinal adjustment. In this treatment, a he or she will manually apply a sharp jolt to the spine which will realign the misplaced disc; it may take several sessions to complete the treatment. A chiropractor bases his or her practice on the belief that the body can heal itself. After receiving a physical readjustment, your body will then be able to use its own natural properties to heal the problems caused in the nerves, muscles, soft tissue, and chemicals. Usually, the adjustment is administered while you are lying down, and it is perfectly normal to hear a popping sound as the chiropractor applies pressure to your spine. There are a few minor side effects that include headaches, pain in the areas being adjusted, and fatigue. For many patients, however, these minor ailments are well worth the relief that a chiropractic adjustment can bring.
A misplaced disc is not an isolated problem. The body is a complex and interrelated organism, and a problem in one area causes a host of other problems. If you suffer from back pain, talk to a chiropractor. With a Chiropractic Treatment, he or she will enable your body to begin its own, natural healing process.
