Is There Any Scientific Proof That Vertebral Subluxations Exist?
Jarek Esarco
“The vertebral subluxation is very real. We have documented it again and again. With this scientific documentation, no one can dispute the existence of vertebral subluxation...Vertebral Subluxation Complex changes the entire health of the body. This has been proven many times. The spine is not an isolated structure...We have proved that Vertebral Subluxation Complex causes not only structural dysfunction of the spine and adjacent tissues, but it also causes nerve dysfunction...The weight of a dime on a spinal nerve will reduce nerve transmission by as much as sixty percent” - Dr. Chung H. Suh, PhD (Spinal Biomechanics Expert from the University of Colorado)
Yes, there is scientific proof that vertebral subluxations exist. Now, accepting that proof is another story. Very often those who contest that a vertebral subluxation has not been proven through scientific means are not basing their claim on the facts but on opinion. Science, like most aspects of life, can fall prey to subjectivity, cognitive bias and ignorance.
Some feel that Chiropractic is not scientific because it doesn’t follow the same science as Modern Medicine. This though is not true. The science is the same, but the philosophical lens through which that science is investigated and observed is different. Medicine, chiropractic or any other profession for that matter, does not own science.
Science is a method by which we investigate certain principles and phenomena of the world through experiments and observations. Science answers the question “what is investigated, experimented and observed?”, it does not answer the question “why is it investigated, experimented and observed?”
So, what exactly is a vertebral subluxation?
The textbook definition of a Vertebral Subluxation is “the condition of a vertebra that has lost its proper juxtaposition with the one above, or the one below, or both; to an extent less than a luxation; and which impinges nerves and interferes with the transmission of mental impulses.”
The Nerve System in general has four main functions: It controls 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 Dorland’s Medical Text: “An intact nervous system will lead to optimum functioning of the human body”
This is why the Nerve System is considered the ‘Master Control System’ of the body. Quoting the World Book Encyclopedia of Science:
“All body systems would be immobilized without the nervous system. It controls and regulates every body activity down to the workings of the tiniest cell.”
The primary way the Nerve System communicates these functions is through mental, or nerve, impulses generated in the brain. These impulses are signals created by the brain and sent out to every organ, gland and tissue of the body. Quoting Scientific American:
“No one could survive without precise signaling in cells. The body functions properly only because the cells constantly communicate with each other."
The spinal column protects and surrounds the nerves that carry these impulses from the brain. Mental nerve impulses travel from the brain to the brainstem and spinal cord found within the spinal column.
When the bones of the spine misalign, they have the potential to impinge the nerves they surround and protect. If a spinal bone loses enough of its proper positioning to an adjacent spinal bone, it can impinge nerves and interfere with the transmission of nerve impulses.
Any interference to the transmission of these impulses will effect how the Nerve System will sense, perceive and behave overall. The overall health of the body is compromised. 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."
If a nerve is impinged supplying any organ, gland or tissue, dysfunction can start to set in. Quoting Henry Winsor, MD:
"Organs supplied by impinged nerves exhibit pathological changes and the more serious the impingement, the more serious the damage."
Chiropractors analyze the spine in order to locate vertebral subluxations. Once they are detected, an adjustment is made to the vertebral subluxation to correct the aberrant spinal structure. When an adjustment is made, mental nerve impulse transmission is optimized for better Nerve System sensation, perception and behavior.
How is a vertebral subluxation proved?
Objective instrumentation and diagnostic imaging help to prove the existence of a vertebral subluxation. Instrumentation and imaging are the scientific methods used to determine the biomechanical positioning of the spine and neural integrity of Nerve System function.
What types of objective instrumentation are utilized?
The textbook Clinical Practice Guideline: Vertebral Subluxation in Chiropractic Practice published by the Council on Chiropractic Practice defines instrumentation as such: “Instrumentation is indicated for the qualitative and/or quantitative assessment of the biomechanical and physiological components of vertebral subluxation. When using instrumentation, baseline values should be determined prior to the initiation of care.”
Established, evidence-based instruments include: Postural Analysis, Inclinometry, Goniometry, Algometry, Current Perception Threshold Testing, Electroencephalography, Somatosensory Evoked Potentials, Skin Temperature Differentials (Paraspinal Thermography), Surface Electromyography and Muscle Strength Testing.
In my practice, I utilize Skin Temperature Differentials or Paraspinal Thermography as my main form of objective instrumentation. Quoting again from the Practice Guidelines on Vertebral Subluxation: “The measurement of paraspinal cutaneous thermal asymmetries and other measurements of anomalies have been shown to be a mode of sympathetic nervous system assessment, which may be used as one indicator of vertebral subluxation.”
What types of diagnostic imaging are utilized?
The Vertebral Subluxation in Chiropractic Practice textbook defines Imaging as such: “Diagnostic imaging procedures may be utilized to characterize the biomechanical manifestations of vertebral subluxation, and to determine the presence of conditions which affect the safety and appropriateness of chiropractic care.”
Established, evidence-based diagnostic imaging include: Radiography (X-rays), Videofluoroscopy, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), Spinal Ultrasonography and Radioisotope Scanning.
In my practice, I utilize radiography as my primary means for vertebral subluxation detection. The Practice Guidelines on Vertebral Subluxation has this to say on radiography: “Plain film radiography is indicated: to provide information concerning the structural integrity of the spine, skull and pelvis; the misalignment component of the vertebral subluxation; the foraminal alteration component of the vertebral subluxation; and the postural status of the spinal column.”
Chiropractic by definition is a Philosophy, Science and Art. If there was no science to it, then Chiropractic couldn’t really stand on its own as a distinct health care service. Because the scientific reality of a vertebral subluxation is valid, Chiropractic can stand tall in its quest to improve health through its unique philosophy and art.
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.