What’s a Subluxation? Plus: How to Make Your Adjustments Last Longer and Stronger

You know how great you feel as you leave your Chiropractor’s office?

(These guys clearly just left the Chiropractor’s)

You’re energetic, but not edgy. Calm, clear-headed and alert. If you came in with pain, it’s likely that it feels lessened; perhaps, it’s even disappeared (hallelujah!).

It’s as if every cell of your body just seems to be humming in unison, and that all is right with the world!

There’s a reason for that! In Chiropractic-speak, your Doctor’s adjustment has helped to eliminate subluxations in your spine. The term subluxation describes what happens when spinal joints are shifted out of ideal alignment thanks to stress, trauma, or chemical imbalances.

Because the nervous system (spine/nerves/brain) is “command central” of the body, eliminating subluxations helps the body do its thing better: adjustments reduce pressure on the nerves, easing the flow of communication and signals between them. Also, adjustments trigger the release of endorphins, which cause a near instant relief of pain.

But what happens when the effects of that adjustment “wear off”? Or when you’re not getting the kind of relief you were hoping for–your body is just not responding as well as it should?

This may be an indication of problems beyond the spine. Frequently, pain or other symptoms in the body start with the body’s foundation: the feet.

As one study noted, “there are small, but important, inter-segmental movements of the spine during gait” (walking). And if you have foot problems (which are often “silent“), spinal subluxations, pain and degeneration throughout the body can occur. In fact, researchers have found that poor foot mechanics “can adversely influence the normal functions of the ankle, knee, hip, and even the back.”

Got pain? Avoid dangerous painkillers; your Chiropractor can help with safe, natural and conservative care.  Orthotics, which support and stabilize your body from its foundation, help Chiropractic adjustments hold longer and stronger. Subluxations occur less frequently–good news for your all-important nervous system.

Next time you visit the Chiropractor, be sure to have your feet examined. Talk to your Doctor about how orthotics can work in conjunction with adjustments to help you stay healthy and subluxation-free.