Chiropractic Synergy Wellness Center

Wellness Care for a Balanced Life

9501 Indianapolis Blvd., Suite A

Highland, IN 46322

(219) 301-5556

Subluxation

A subluxation occurs when adjacent spinal bones (vertebrae)  become misaligned causing adnormal motion and position of the involved spinal joint.  Nerves exit between each bone in your spine and travel to parts of your body to ask them to perform a function.  When a vertebra moves out of its normal position, this space becomes smaller thereby impeding and distorting the messages sent to and from the brain.  this lack of communication can be the underlying cause of many health problems beyond just headaches and back pain.  It may be the cause of many disease processes as well as initiating many conditions of the extremities such as carpal tunnel syndrome as well as shoulder and knee pain. 

Your nervous system controls every cell, tissue, organ and system of your body.  So having a spine free of vertebral subluxations is essential for optimal health. 

Only a chiropractic examination can detect subluxations.  And only chiropractic adjustments can reduce their effect to your nervous system.  If you have a physical problem you need a physical solution.  Find out if you have subluxations before they become more serious and more difficult to correct.

How do you get subluxations?

There are three basic causes of subluxations.  Physical, emotional and chemical.  yours may have resulted from one or a combination of all three.  Physical causes include such traumas as falls, accidents, playing sports, repetitive motions and improper lifting.  Stress, anger, and fear are examples of emotional causes of subluxations.  Alcohol, prescription drugs, pollution and poor diet can be chemical causes of subluxations.

How can subluxations be corrected?

Dr. Enevoldsen will apply a specific and precise gentle force in the right direction and at the right time.  Over time, changes in the position and motions of the spinal bones occur to correct subluxations and improve body function.

How can I tell if I have a subluxation?

You can have subluxations and not even know it.   Like the early stages of tooth decay or cancer, subluxations can be present before warning signs appear.  A thorough examination can show the location of any subluxation you may have.  Some warning signs or symptoms that may indicate you have a subluxation are:

  Decreased motion

  Pain

  Numbness and/or tingling

  Impaired body function

Spinal Degeneration (Osteoarthritis)

A subluxation left untreated will begin to degenerate or decay over time. This process begins approximately 72 hours after the subluxation occurs and is slow in its progression.

A normal spine when looking at it from the side should have three curves:  a cervical (neck) curve,  a thoracic (mid back) curve and a lumbar ( low back) curve.  There should be equal disc spacing between each bone and the openings for the nerves should be free of obstruction.  When subluxations are left untreated for a period of time changes begin to occur to the spine, these changes occur in phases.

Phase One

There is a loss of normal spinal curve and the ability to turn and bend is reduced.  In some cases, the disc space between adjacent vertebrae may be reduced.  Or, discs can become wedge-shaped inviting  damage to supportive muscles and ligaments.  Depending on your body's adaptive capacity, pain or other obvious symptoms may not be present.  Even the resulting decreased range of motion may be too subtle for many to notice.

Phase Two

In phase two,  joint surfaces lose their clearly defined edges as early signs of bone spurs become visible on x-rays.  Bone spurs develop when the brain sends calcium deposits to the biomechanically compromised joint to help stabilize it.  The calcium deposits prevent normal movement.

Phase Three

If still left uncorrected the problem worsens.  Calcium deposits have begun to fuse adjacent bones together.  The affected bones lose their individuality as well as their ability to move. 

Some patients who begin chiropractic care in Phase One discover a restoration of their spinal curves and imporved range of motion.  Success with Pahse Two patients is less predictable and depends on many factors.  While we can do little after decades of neglect with Phase Three cases, we instead turn our attention to those areas of the spine that have not yet been lost to the process. 

Degeneration of the spine is a normal aging process.  This process is accelerated in areas where subluxations have occurred.  Our goal is to restore normal position and motion to spinal segments to bring the degenerative process back to a normal pace of aging.