A vertebral subluxation adds some detrimental prefixes to our health expression. What is a prefix? A prefix is a word or letter combination placed before a word to modify its meaning. A vertebral subluxation modifies the means by which our health is expressed; and it modifies it for the worse.

A vertebral subluxation causes spine MIS-alignment; resulting in tissue structure being AB-normal; which equates with functional DIS-ease; resulting in a SUB-quality expression of health. Let us break down some of these prefixes to get a better idea of their meaning and how they modify the words they are attached to.

The first word we’ll talk about is: Misalignment. The prefix MIS- means “ill, wrong or incorrectly." Alignment is defined as “the act of arranging things so that they are in proper position; cooperation or agreement with a particular group, party, cause, etc.”

The particular group we are speaking of in this instance is the vertebrae of the spine, or bones of the back. So MIS-alignment means that the cooperation of the spine is being done incorrectly or wrong. The spine is physically unsound. When we say the spine structure is unsound, we are saying that it is not in its proper position; the spine isn’t cooperating as best it can.

Next word: Abnormal. The prefix AB- means “away from”. Normal is defined as “natural, of natural occurrence; free from any malformation, or from manipulation; running true to form- nothing going wrong.” So AB-normal means that the tissue structures are moving away from their natural true form.

There is some malformation or manipulation occurring with an abnormality. I find it interesting how certain Chiropractors use the word ‘manipulate’ instead of adjustment to define what they do. If you are manipulating, you are moving away from the natural or normal form. This is counterintuitive to Chiropractic’s goal of “natural healthcare”. A Chiropractor who manipulates practices “unnatural healthcare.” So if a Chiropractor says they ‘manipulate’ instead of adjust, you should move away from them.

The next word: Dis-ease. The prefix DIS- also means “away from.” Ease means “freedom from labor, pain, or physical annoyance; harmony; comfort of mind or body: to release from pressure, tension, or the like.” DIS-ease means that function is moving away from tone and moving towards tension. The body and brain can’t function in harmony or balance.

The last word: Sub-quality. The prefix SUB- means “under, below, beneath, or imperfect.” Quality is defined as “an essential or distinctive characteristic, property, or attribute: character with respect to fineness, or grade of excellence: high grade; superiority”. SUB-quality means then that health is below or beneath its fineness, or grade of excellence.

An upper cervical specific adjustment fixes those prefixes to our health expression. The adjustment allows for:

• better spine alignment;

• resulting in tissue structure being normalized;

• which equates with functional ease;

• resulting in a quality expression of health.

With our health now unmodified, we can live closer to our intended meaning.

- Dr. Jarek Esarco

Jarek Esarco, DC, CACCP is a pediatric, family wellness and upper cervical specific Chiropractor. He is an active member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA). Dr. Jarek has postgraduate certification in Pediatric Chiropractic through the ICPA. Dr. Jarek also has postgraduate certification in the HIO Specific Brain Stem technique through The TIC Institute. Dr. Jarek is happily married to his wife Regina. They live in Youngstown, Ohio with their daughter Ruby.