Subluxation

You could have vertebral subluxation complex (VSC) of the cervical spine and not even know it. A complex condition comprising five different components, VSC may not elicit feelings of pain or discomfort in its initial stages, as pain does not always accompany a lack of function.

Let's take a step back to see where this condition occurs. Touch the back of your neck to feel your cervical spine. This is the top of the spine, the part that connects with the brain. Beneath it is the thoracic spine, which makes up the mid back, and the lumbar spine, which makes up the low back.

Vertebral subluxation complex (VSC) in the cervical spine occurs when the vertebrae in the neck lose their normal motion or position, which can lead to local inflammation and affect the delicate nerves in the spinal cord that carry messages between the brain and the rest of the body.

The brain and body communicate via messages that travel through these nerves, which are located along the entire length of the spine. These nerves, along with the brain, collectively make up the central nervous system. They exit the spinal column through holes formed by vertebral joints and send out an extensive network of branches that carry information to specific parts of the body, controlling the health and function of almost every cell, tissue and organ. Research suggests that subluxations affect how these body parts function by interfering with the brain-body communication system. Imagine a healthy nervous system surrounded by clean water, and the interference as muddy and murky water that starts to pollute it.

A variety of external and internal factors can cause subluxations. Trauma, toxins and emotional stress have been identified as the primary causes of subluxations. Traumatic causes include car accidents and falls; chemical toxins include alcohol, drugs and environmental pollutants; and emotional stress includes everyday problems like worrying and anxiety.

When any of these is present, it can lead to the beginning of VSC, and possibly the entire five components of the condition. The first stage is kinesiopathology, which begins when spinal joints become stuck, forcing the joints around them to work harder in order to compensate. Unfortunately, this compensation does not change the fact that the spinal joints aren't functioning properly, and thus the spine's normal curvature can distort and the stuck joint can contribute to nerve irritation.

Most often, this occurs when malfunctioning spinal bones stretch, twist or pull nerve tissue. When this is serious enough it can lead to neuropathology, the second stage of VSC, which can involve either extreme nerve irritation or a pinched nerve. Pinched nerves, which are quite rare, can produce feelings patients frequently describe as "pins and needles" or a numb sensation surrounding and away from the spine. Irritated nerves can also affect those parts of the body that they communicate with and increase a person's susceptibility to disease.

This interference in the nervous system can lead to the third component of VSC, myopathology, which involves abnormal muscle function. With myopathology, nerve impulses can diminish to the point that they understimulate muscles, which causes them to weaken and atrophy, or become too strong and overstimulate muscles, which causes them to work too hard and tighten, and potentially go into spasm. This can lead to inflammation in muscles and joints, which can cause further complications by spreading to the rest of the soft tissues in the spine.

If that happens, it can lead to the fourth component of VSC, histopathology, which involves abnormal function of soft tissue. This occurs when abnormal spinal joint function diminishes blood supply and leads to long-term swelling of structures like ligaments, disks and other soft tissues.

If people don't seek care during any of these stages, VSC can affect the whole body. This is pathophysiology, the fifth and final stage of VSC, when degenerative changes in the spine begin to spread. At this stage, calcium deposits may have built up, and are eventually recognizable as bone spurs and other abnormal growths. When this happens, your body has gone to the extreme of compensating for a malfunctioning or traumatized joint by actually creating a growth similar to new bone. It has slowly transformed immobile, untreated joints into solid blocks of calcium. This final component of VSC becomes more common as people get older.

While it takes many years for someone to develop problems associated with the final component of VSC, the condition can begin at any age. That's why it's important to visit your healthcare practitioner, as he or she can check for subluxations and provide you with optimal care.

Anatomy The body protects its most vital components. Just as the skull protects the brain, bones of the spine, called vertebrae, protect the spinal nerves. The spine comprises three major areas: the cervical spine at the top, the thoracic spine in the middle and the lumbar spine at the bottom. Vertebral subluxation complex (VSC) of the cervical spine occurs when vertebrae in the top part of the spine lose their normal motion or position, which can affect the delicate nerves in the spinal cord that carry messages between the brain and the rest of the body. The cervical spine is made up of seven vertebrae that form a banana-shaped, flexible curve. At the back of the vertebrae are facet joints, which are the spine's connecting structures. These joints allow each vertebra to move together with the vertebra above and the vertebra below, and together with soft tissues provide a slight separation between spinal bones. The fragile nerves that allow your brain and body to communicate exit through such separations and connect to muscles and other surface tissues as well as internal organs. These internal organs include most of the body parts supplied by the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system and the nerves that act on its behalf serve the critical function of stimulating body parts and causing you to react to your surroundings. If you were frightened, for example, the sympathetic nervous system would allow you to respond by dilating your pupils, quickening each breath and increasing your heart beat. It is probably now clear why the spine is so critical to your health and why damage to it can, if left untreated, cause further health problems. Subluxations can interfere with nerves, which can affect both the spine and the areas of the body served by communication through nerves in the spinal cord. Chiropractic Care You could have a health problem and not even know it. In the early stages, vertebral subluxation complex (VSC) of the cervical spine may not elicit pain, the same way dehydration on a hot day may not elicit thirst. Fortunately, the philosophy of chiropractic is based on promoting wellness rather than preventing disease. Of course, chiropractors care for patients with disease, but they also believe in caring for patients who feel fine and want to maintain optimal health, which is important if you have a problem but aren't displaying any symptoms. If you have VSC of the cervical spine, your chiropractor will first assess the severity of the condition. Commonly, this is accomplished through a detailed physical and neurological screening procedure that checks the nervous system by testing reflexes, muscles and sensation. Some chiropractors also use x-rays to help diagnose vertebral subluxation. After that, your chiropractor may perform an adjustment, also known as spinal manipulative therapy. During this procedure, he or she will apply a force with his or her hands or a special device known as an activator to move the joints in your neck into their correct position. This reduces pressure on nerves and allows them to function optimally. They can then effectively communicate with the muscles and soft tissues of the spine, allowing them and your whole body to perform at its best. Most likely, your chiropractor will also prescribe a program of exercise for your neck and upper back that includes stretching and strengthening activities. Stretching activities take your neck and back through their proper range of motion (the motions they are supposed to naturally make), as well as help to prevent future stiffness and spinal dysfunction. Strengthening activities focused on your mid and upper back can help you provide support for bones and maintain muscular balance and good posture. Some chiropractors also recommend people with VSC modify their diet. By eating the right foods, you can help improve joint function in your spine and the rest of your body. Think of the body as an engine that requires fuel. Are you going to give it the low-grade cheap stuff, or the high-octane power? If you choose the latter, your chiropractor can run you through a nutritional question-and-answer session to help determine the best diet for your body. He or she may then suggest a variety of foods that are rich in protein and carbohydrates to help boost your energy level and increase your endurance. If you seek care for VSC in the cervical spine early enough and make the appropriate lifestyle changes, you can prevent the condition from worsening and causing pain. But don't wait until symptoms appear. Have your chiropractor assess your spinal health as soon as possible, to prevent any problems from developing.