Everyone with a subluxation can be adjusted. Not everyone with a subluxation SHOULD be adjusted. There are some situations where it is best not to adjust.
Firstly, Chiropractors only adjust subluxated vertebral bones.
A vertebral subluxation is when the bones of the spine lock in a misaligned position. The spine becomes unstable and puts tension on nerves. Nerve tension leads to abnormal sensitivity, perception and behavior of the Nerve System overall.
The word subluxation derives from the prefix ‘sub’ meaning ‘below’ and the Latin word ‘luxation’ meaning dislocation.
So Chiropractors only concern themselves with bones that are below the level of a dislocation. If a bone dislocates or worse, fractures, it is no longer considered a subluxation and can not be adjusted.
Secondly, a Chiropractor should not adjust a bone that does not have the physical integrity to receive an adjustment.
If a bone or the connecting tissue lacks the strength to accept the adjustment, then it is contraindicated. It is also contraindicated to adjust a bone that has pathological changes occurring to it. This includes malignancies (cancerous changes) and infections.
While not contraindicated, there is a list of conditions that deserve precaution and special attention when deciding to give an adjustment. Specificity in care is key in all cases, but some conditions merit their own unique considerations.
Some precautionary circumstances of the subluxated bone and connecting tissue include severe pain or edema in the spine, lack of spinal mobility, arthritis, disc herniation or prolapse, DJD, congenital anomalies, and other bone changes from surgeries or trauma.
Conditions secondary to the state of the spine that require precaution include cardiovascular insufficiency, prosthesis, certain prescription medications and detached retina.
One of the biggest questions a Chiropractor needs to answer before providing any adjustment is “does the patient’s body have the potential to adapt to this specific adjustment in a positive way?”. If the integrity of the spine prevents this, then it is best to avoid adjusting.
A Chiropractic adjustment is safe and effective when adequately indicated. When justifiable, the health benefits of adjusting a subluxation are tremendous.
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.