A Subluxation is a joint dysfunction of the spine, that may include dysfunction of associated muscles, tendons, and ligaments as well as motion dysfunction (improper movement or difficulty moving).
These dysfunctions alter the normal signaling between our body’s spinal joints and brain.  The word comes from an older term “luxatio” (which meant a dislocation) and “sub-” which means “less than, or a lesser degree.”
(So a subluxation is a dysfunction that is less than a dislocation.)
There are two main types of subluxations.

The first type is called the structural type of subluxation. When a vertebra loses its proper relation with the vertebra above, or the vertebra below (to a degree less than a luxation or dislocation) this distortion can cause changes that eventually compress (“pinch”), or irritate a nerve, or stretch and pull on the nerve  (putting it under “tension.”) Studies show that the weight of a dime (about 10 mm of mercury pressure) is all the pressure it takes to decrease the function of a nerve by 60%. Studies also reveal that just a 6% stretch of the nerve decreases its function by 70%. It has been shown that it does not take much pressure, pulling, or tension on a nerve at all to severely interfere with its function.

These dysfunctions (or subluxations) are often caused by physical trauma (falls, bumps, accidents, etc.) or physical stress (such as when using the same muscles or performing the same movements too long, think: “repetitive motion injury”) or simply demanding too much work of the musculo-skeletal system which causes failure, and affects regions beyond the local area. (Most erect posture muscles eg, directly or indirectly tie into the spine and or pelvis.)

The second type of subluxation occurs when the nervous system is interfered with by emotional stress or chemical toxins. When the nervous system (our brain) becomes overwhelmed by factors like these, it alters how another part of our brain (our cerebellum) responds. This part (which controls movement – think “muscles”)  under stress, creates changes (abnormal forces) along the spine – resulting in subluxations. When our brain is irritated by emotional or chemical stress, part of the brain (or nerves carrying brain signals) causes muscles on one side of the spine to contract (or “pull”) harder than the other side, mis-aligning the vertebrae. As this signal comes through the nerve, with no clearing of the irritation to the nerve and the signal being carried by the nerve, (clearing which would reset – and over time – retrain the nervous system) the misalignment further interferes with the nerve’s transmission and brain’s output, creating a repeating (nerve) pattern. Sadly, these types of subluxations can exist for years and go unnoticed until the body can no longer compensate and “hide” the sheer extent of undetected nerve irritation and damage – yielding “symptoms.”

Studies tell us that both types of subluxations can (and often do) exist without pain, yet still interfere and disturb nerve function. Read a little further to understand more about the Global Effects of subluxations.

One of the most current models explaining the global state of Subluxation is the “Neuroplasticity Model” (of Subluxation), arrived at in light of the discovery and documentation in many studies (done by different professors in different research laboratories, and published to high ranking journals) all confirming that correcting Chiropractic subluxations by Adjusting changes (has a “neuroplastic effect” upon) brain function.

This model is now backed by several decades of scientific investigation and is considered by some scientists the best current model to explain how a (local, segmental) subluxation fits into a Global State of subluxation a person may be in. We have known for decades that over-stimulation of the “fight or flight” mechanism affects a person’s well-being
(Dr. Hans Selye even eliciting specific disease conditions in study volunteers by just modifying the stressors they were subjected to in his studies). Now we are finding that subluxation “trips” the “fight or flight” response (via the sympathetics found along the thoracic spine as well as in other regions of the spine), and this ongoing stress response then sets off a cascade of events that affect – not only joints and muscles locally – but a person’s well-being globally. It is this state of “sympathetic” (nervous system) over-firing (or “sympatheticotonia”) that Genesis Chiropractic addresses as a global “subluxation” state.

If you are looking for Chiropractic Care in Knoxville, TN (and the surrounding areas) call our office today to make an appointment (865) 454-0313 or simply click here to schedule your appointment online!

My name is Melain Josey,
I came to see Dr. C.
In just two months,
he did a tremendous job for me.
I told him “If I had more money,
I would pay advertising for [thee!]”
That’s how much he’s done for me!

Thank you Dr. C!

Causes Of Subluxations
There are three commonly recognized causes of subluxations:

Physical trauma
Chemical toxins
Mental and emotional stress

Global Effects Of Subluxations

→ Impaired Movement
→ Decreased Mental Function
→ Altered Emotional Stability
→ Impaired Immune Function
→ Unexpressed Genetic Potential
→ An Unnecessarily uncomfortable and Early Demise

Dysfunction along the spine (subluxation) can be present even when there is no pain. Painless spinal dysfunction can cause many many problems in the long run because slow degeneration can progress for years (just like tooth decay) before the person feels ANY symptoms (“pain”). The dysfunctions also generate more signals of irritation to a person’s spinal cord and brain – where it is registered as STRESS and trips (activates) the “Fight or Flight” response of the Sympathetic Nervous System.

Most people enjoy being checked on a routine basis for spinal dysfunction (subluxations) in order to reduce joint dysfunction signals (“nociception”) – which can create a stressful state (sympatheticotonia). The resulting more relaxed state from an Adjustment helps keep their nerve system functioning better, and they find they are more healthy and express more Life! Research reveals that spinal dysfunctions (subluxations) negatively affect the visceral (organ) input centers and output centers in your brain stem, regardless of where in the spine the subluxation exists. This indicates that almost any spinal dysfunction may result in numerous health challenges. This is why it is so vitally important to be examined for subluxations!

Subluxations can often be suggested on X-Rays, but sometimes their effects cannot be detected that way. (“Doesn’t look broken. You’re fine…” Is a common X-ray finding on patients who have come into the office – sometimes even when those same patients are unable to walk without help!) Dr. C uses a non-invasive thermal spine scanner that measures minuscule changes in temperature on each side of the vertebral column. These changes in temperature are often indicative of some of the effects of subluxation on the nervous system, and may be used in conjunction with sophisticated testing of muscle activity along the spine with surface ElectroMyoGraphy (sEMG) in conjunction with other examinations. A scan with this technology is a customary part of your New Patient Examination and of most successive re-examinations, so progress can be tracked over time.

Can an unhealthy spine affect the health of (what were once) healthy organs?

Henry Windsor, MD asked this question in 1921, when he tested Chiropractic’s “claim” that Adjusting could relieve such ailments as stomach troubles, ulcers, menstrual cramps, thyroid conditions, kidney disease, constipation, and heart and lung disease. With permission of the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Windsor conducted a series of three studies to determine if there was indeed a relationship between diseased internal organs and the vertebrae and nerves that went to those organs.In his experiment, Dr. Windsor performed 72 cat and 75 human autopsies. His findings, which identified 221 structures other than the spine as diseased, established a nearly 100% correlation between “minor curvatures” (or at least what he thought “minor!”) of the vertebrae and diseases of the internal organ. (The Windsor Autopsies, Medical Times, 1921)

The Intelligence that is re-creating your body every instant,
can still help you express well-being –
If you restore its function and CLEAR the pathway for its proper signaling!

Call DrC for your appointment:  (865) 454-0313

or click here to schedule your appointment online.

Dr. C [Marco E. Castaneda, D.C.] is a Palmer-graduated Chiropractor who provides quality individualized chiropractic care to patients in Knoxville, TN and the surrounding areas. Genesis Chiropractic is located in Halls Crossroads, TN, off of Emory Road, between Maynardville Hwy. and Tazewell Pike, very close to the Gibbs crossing and only a few miles from Corryton.

7786 Emory Chase Ln, Knoxville, TN 37918 This website has been developed for the purposes of informing and educating. If you have any questions about particular conditions, please contact Dr. C at (865) 454-0313 or email:  DrC@GoDrC.com