What’s the Big Deal, Isn’t a Subluxation Just a Misalignment?
Jarek Esarco
There is an adage in Chiropractic that states that “all subluxations are misalignments, but not all misalignments are subluxations.” That might sound a little confusing, so let me explain.
Chiropractors hold subluxations to a higher standard because they are more than just misalignments. A misalignment is a part of a subluxation, it is not the whole thing.
A subluxation is when a spinal bone malpositions and impinges nerves. This interferes with how the nerve system communicates with the rest of the body. Nerve interference can negatively effect functional outcomes such as health expression. Why?
The Nerve system controls and regulates all the movements we make, senses everything we feel, regulates all our body organs and relates us to the outside world. A properly functioning Nerve System is paramount for overall health and well-being. Quoting Dr. Janson Edwards, MD, PhD: “The quality of healing is directly proportional to the functional capability of the central nervous system to send and receive nerve messages." Anything that hinders nerves from sending and/or receiving messages can effect the quality of health.
A subluxation considers the structural alignment of the bone and the integrity of the nerve system. If a spinal bone malpositions but does not impinge nerves, this is not a subluxation but a misalignment. There must be both components, bone malposition and nerve impingement, for it to be defined as a subluxation. If a spinal bone malpositions and interferes with nerve function, that is a different degree of injury than merely a misalignment.
A subluxation is unique in that it disrupts nerve function while not dislocating the joint. Adjusting subluxations is Chiropractic’s main objective. Correcting nerve interference improves overall nerve function potential and results in better health expression.
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.