What Are Subluxations?
When a misalignment exists in the pelvis or spine, the deviation higher up the spine is usually much greater. These misalignments and resulting stresses in the spine are absorbed by the discs that separate each vertebra. This abnormal stress on the disc causes the disc to become distorted over time which leads to inflammation, break down and even a herniated disc (slipped disc).
Distorted nerve communications can be an underlying cause of many health problems.
Distorted discs interfere with the nerve roots that exit at that level of the spine. It can cause either direct pressure on the nerve or create inflammatory changes which can cause chemical irritation to the nerve.
Possible Signs and Symptoms of Subluxation
When nerves are compromised in this way, a wide array of symptoms may arise—sometimes far beyond the obvious back or neck discomfort. These can include:
- Low back pain
- Neck pain
- Chest pain
- Arm or leg pain
- Pain that worsens with movement
- Numbness or tingling in the arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, or toes
- Stiffness in the lower back or neck
- Tight muscles along the spine
- Headaches or migraines
- Episodes of vertigo, dizziness, or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Some types of hearing loss
- Facial pain or palsy (such as trigeminal neuralgia or Bell’s palsy)
- Grating or crackling sounds in the neck or at the base of the skull when turning your head
- Reduced ability to fully turn or lean your head to one side (loss of range of motion)
- Shoulder pain, whether between the shoulder blades or in the neck-shoulder area
- Jaw pain—often felt just behind the jaw or near the ear
These symptoms highlight just how far-reaching the effects of subluxation can be. The nervous system is the body’s master communication line—when signals are hindered, the consequences can show up in unexpected places.
When a misalignment causes interference with the normal nerve flow, we call it subluxation. Addressing subluxations could have far reaching benefits beyond back pain.
The nervous system regulates and controls every cell, tissue, organ and system of the body. When the joints of the spine fail to move properly, or when spinal bones become misaligned, this can interfere with the important nerve messages traveling between the brain and body. Such interference—what chiropractors refer to as subluxation—not only affects movement patterns and muscle balance, but can also impact the function of organs and even alter the chemicals and hormones they produce.
In other words, a spinal misalignment doesn’t just stay in your back. Its effects can ripple out, influencing how you move, how your muscles work together, and how your organs and systems function. This is why maintaining proper spinal alignment is so vital for overall health and wellbeing.
How Subluxations Influence Posture and Joint Function
When a subluxation disturbs the natural alignment of joints, its effects can echo throughout your entire musculoskeletal system. It’s not simply a local irritation—altered joint position disrupts the body’s natural patterns of movement and balance. Routine activities like walking, sitting, or carrying groceries can gradually become less efficient and more fatiguing. Over time, your body adapts to these changes with subtle shifts in posture—think head tilts, uneven shoulders, or a pelvis that doesn’t sit quite level.
These postural adaptations may seem minor at first, but they force muscles and ligaments to compensate, leading to strain and even chronic discomfort. For example, if the pelvis is tilted from a misalignment, the spine above must compensate, often resulting in exaggerated curves, uneven hips, or even an apparent difference in leg length. Sometimes, these imbalances manifest as a persistent ache in your mid-back, a sharp twinge running down an arm, or tension that radiates through the hips and knees—especially on the side where your body tries to “shorten” the load.
Because each vertebra communicates with a specific set of nerves, a single misaligned joint can interrupt the normal signaling between your brain and body. This doesn’t just result in pain; it can alter reflexes, coordination, and even things you might not expect—such as concentration, memory, or sleep patterns. As the cycle of compensation continues, the stress placed on spinal discs and soft tissues can accelerate wear and tear, heighten inflammation, and, if left unchecked, encourage the kind of disc degeneration that leads to more serious mobility problems.
Ultimately, subluxations can be sneaky saboteurs of both posture and joint function, gradually undermining the balance and harmony that allow us to live—and move—comfortably.
What Is the Role of a Chiropractor?
Chiropractors focus on removing barriers to your body’s natural energy, rather than chasing after symptoms or isolated conditions. Their aim is to restore proper alignment and movement to your spine and joints, allowing the nervous system to function freely—just as nature intended.
By correcting subluxations, a chiropractor isn’t just helping with stiff necks or sore backs. Instead, their role is more like that of a nervous system “tuner,” working to ensure every signal travels unimpeded. This improved communication within your body can support everything from muscle coordination to overall wellbeing.
Interestingly, many athletes have integrated chiropractic care into their routines—not just for recovery, but for peak performance and resilience against injury. And often, it’s not only those who are struggling with obvious pain who notice a difference; plenty of people discover that realigning their spines and freeing those nerve pathways can help them feel better than they imagined possible.
What Causes Subluxations?
Physical Stress
Physical stress on the body comes in many forms.
The way we sit, or the fact that we sit at all, causes stress on the human frame.
The way we bend, the activities we take part in or do.
A builder or decorator who needs to bend down repetitively or spends an extended time in a flexed position, creates physical stress on various joints but especially the low back.
But… so would a person who sits all day at a desk. They would also put their back in a flexed position for extended periods. When most people sit, they release their muscles letting the pelvic and lumbar ligament structures take the load off. This places immense stress upon the discs and splays the pelvis.
Chemical Stress
There is a theory in chiropractic that chemical stress can also cause subluxations.
It is well known that chemical stress, both man made and naturally occurring, can place the body under immense stress.
Allergies to certain foods such as nuts, pollen, diary, bee stings, wheat, etc. are all forms of chemical stress.
When a stress is placed on the body, it undergoes a change neurologically.
It goes into survival mode.
Sometimes it just overreacts.
This type of stress, undergone repetitively, is believed to result in subluxations.
Emotional Stress
The same survival mechanism is triggered when undergoing emotional stress. The body goes into a state where it perceives danger or immense discomfort resulting in the release of a chemical known as cortisol. Cortisol prepares the body for fight or flight.
The body expects possible trauma and prepares…
The blood thickens in case we bleed. Sugar is released and made ready to burn as fuel. Some non-essential functions shut down—including parts of the cortex involved in clear thinking—even digestion is put on hold. When we are chronically in this state, the health implications are far and wide, affecting many different body systems.
Dysautonomia and Chronic Stress
This ongoing stress response is known as dysautonomia—an imbalance between the sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous systems. Most commonly, this leads to an overactive fight or flight response, pushing the body into a chronic stress state. Over time, this imbalance can contribute to a range of issues, from digestive disturbances and sleep problems to weakened immunity and persistent fatigue.
Chronic activation of the fight or flight system doesn’t just affect how you feel day to day; it can have a ripple effect across the entire body, disrupting normal healing, recovery, and overall wellbeing.
The Effects of Vertebral Subluxation Beyond Pain
Vertebral subluxations affect much more than just how your back feels—they have ripple effects throughout the entire body. Because the nervous system controls every cell, tissue, and organ, any interference with nerve flow may show up in surprising ways far beyond the spine.
People sometimes notice issues that don’t seem connected to their back at all, such as digestive discomfort, random bouts of fatigue, trouble concentrating, memory lapses, shifted moods, restless sleep, and even challenges with fertility or bladder control. These are just a few examples that highlight how far-reaching nervous system interference can be.
Of course, it’s important to remember that not every health condition is solely blamed on subluxations. Our overall wellbeing is shaped by a cocktail of factors: genetics, environment, stress levels, nutrition, and even daily attitude. Still, whenever a vertebral subluxation is present, it can tip the balance and reduce your body’s natural ability to heal and function at its best.
The heart of chiropractic care isn’t about chasing symptoms or diseases, but about freeing your nervous system to do what it’s designed to do—coordinate and power every aspect of your body. Many athletes credit routine chiropractic adjustments with empowering their recovery, sharpening performance, and fending off injury. Even people who don’t have obvious health complaints are often surprised at their newfound sense of wellbeing and energy after their nervous system is cleared of interference.
So, what’s actually going on with these subluxations? They can cause:
- Direct Nerve Compression: A misaligned vertebra might physically irritate or press on a nerve, disrupting crucial communication to organs or muscles.
- Overexcited Nerve Signals: Instead of blocking, some misalignments agitate or overstimulate a nerve, leading to issues like muscle cramping, spasms, or irregular organ function.
- Altered Brain Input: When spinal joints stop moving freely, the quality of signals sent up to the brain changes. Reduced healthy input and elevated pain signals can affect how your brain manages posture, balance, and even emotional responses. This may increase your susceptibility to stress and illness over time.
The bigger picture? By addressing subluxations, you aren’t just seeking relief from pain—you’re giving your body the best chance to operate smoothly, adapt, and thrive.
Dysafferentation: When Communication Breaks Down
Dysafferentation is a fancy term for when the signals traveling from your spine to your brain get scrambled because the joints aren’t moving properly. When spinal joints become stuck or misaligned—like with subluxations—the nerves that send vital information up to your brain are no longer sending clear messages. Instead of the usual healthy feedback, the brain receives confusing or even distressing information.
What does this mean for you? In short, less motion in the spine leads to less healthy stimulation and more painful or noxious signals making their way to the brain, especially the cerebellum (the brain’s balance and coordination center). This distortion in nerve input can set off a chain reaction: your posture, movement, balance, emotions, memory, and even your body’s stress responses can all be thrown off. Over time, persistent dysafferentation can make the body more vulnerable to stress, illness, and degeneration.
So, subluxations don’t just affect your back—they play a key role in how your brain and body communicate, which can echo throughout your overall health and well-being.
Compressive and Facilitative Lesions
Within the realm of subluxations, two primary types of lesions can affect nerve function: compressive and facilitative lesions.
A compressive lesion occurs when a misaligned vertebra places direct pressure on a nerve. Think of this as a pinch or choke point; the nerve’s normal signals to and from organs or tissues become diminished or disrupted. It’s similar to stepping on a garden hose—the flow slows or stops, impeding proper communication within the body.
On the other hand, a facilitative lesion arises when vertebrae don’t necessarily pinch but instead irritate, stretch, or rub against a nerve. This results in the nerve becoming overstimulated, leading to excessive or erratic signals traveling to and from the affected area. Rather than blocking messages, it’s more like a stuck accelerator, causing the systems connected to that nerve to become overactive.
Both forms of lesions—compressive and facilitative—undermine the body’s ability to maintain balance and health by interfering with those all-important nerve pathways.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Chiropractors only reduce subluxations, or do they do any other therapy?
Most chiropractors are highly trained healthcare professionals specializing in the analysis and correction of vertebral subluxations. In addition to this core expertise, most chiropractors have extensive training in other modalities. Dr Nothling studied in the USA where it is required to also pass a physiotherapy section of the National Board examinations. They are trained in physiotherapeutic approaches used in rehabilitation and treatment using ultrasound, electrical therapy, exercise therapy, etc.
Other manual care providers may use similar techniques to assist the body in functioning better, but chiropractors receive specific training in the subluxation complex that sets them apart.
Dr Nothling is also trained in dry needling, medical acupuncture, myofascial release and massage. He also uses Grastin soft tissue technique which is designed for treating muscle, tendon and ligament injury.
Do Chiropractors only treat the spine?
No, Chiropractors treat shoulders, hips, feet, knees, hands, wrists, elbows along with muscle aches and pains.
What are the possible signs and symptoms that may indicate spinal subluxation?
Possible Signs and Symptoms of Spinal Subluxation
Subluxations can be sneaky culprits, often wearing many disguises when it comes to symptoms. Most commonly, you might notice aches and pains turning up in the neck, back, arms, or legs for no obvious reason. Perhaps moving your head or spine feels stiff, or you catch yourself grimacing at an odd cracking sound in your neck when you turn to check your blind spot in the car.
But the signs aren’t just limited to aches and creaks. Subluxations can also irritate nerves, resulting in numbness, tingling, or even an uncharacteristic weakness down your arms, hands, or legs. Sometimes, you might feel headaches blooming more often, or experience dizziness, vertigo, ringing in the ears, or even facial discomfort.
Look out for these possible signs:
- Persistent stiffness or tightness in the neck or lower back
- Headaches or migraines that just keep coming back
- Tingling or numbness in your extremities (arms, fingers, legs, toes)
- Unexplained aches in your chest, jaw, or shoulders
- Trouble sleeping or a stubborn case of insomnia
- Postural changes, like a head that tilts to one side, uneven shoulders or hips, or the feeling that one leg is shorter than the other
- Difficulty turning or leaning your head fully without discomfort
- Radiating pain down an arm or leg, sometimes described as “sciatica”
- Clicking, grating, or crunching sounds in the neck or at the base of the skull with movement
- Jaw tension, commonly near the ear or behind the jaw
In more subtle cases, you might find your overall energy sapped, feel easily stressed, or notice digestion is a bit off-kilter. Imbalances in the autonomic nervous system—think the body’s “fight or flight” vs. “rest and digest” responses—may tip you into a persistent state of stress, affecting everything from blood pressure to sleep patterns.
Addressing subluxations could have far reaching benefits beyond back pain.
Can Improving Nervous System Function Enhance Athletic Performance and Well-Being?
Absolutely—when the nervous system functions optimally, the whole body can respond and adapt to physical demands far more efficiently. This is why many athletes, from local rugby teams to Olympic contenders, integrate chiropractic care into their training routines. Regular adjustments are not just for those nursing injuries. Rather, they support smoother coordination, faster recovery, and even resilience against strains that can otherwise sideline performance.
Interestingly, it’s not only elite athletes who notice these benefits. Many people who seek out chiropractic adjustments for general well-being (even without a specific complaint) report feeling lighter, more balanced, and energised after addressing underlying subluxations. This is because when nerve flow is restored, the body’s natural ability to heal, perform, and thrive is unlocked—whether you’re setting a personal best or simply striving for a better night’s sleep.
Can Subluxations Cause Symptoms Unrelated to the Spine?
Absolutely. Subluxations and the resulting nervous system interference are not limited to causing headaches or back pain alone. Because the nervous system serves as the master control system of the body, disturbances can show up in surprising ways—often in areas seemingly unrelated to the spine itself.
For instance, some people might notice challenges with digestion, breathing difficulties, or changes in mood and memory. Others might experience issues like irregular sleep, hormonal imbalances, or even difficulties with concentration and focus. In some cases, symptoms such as infertility or recurring infections can be traced back to disrupted nerve communication.
The common thread among all these concerns is that, when nerve flow is hindered, any organ or system depending on that communication can be affected. Proper nerve flow is essential to keeping every part of the body working harmoniously.
Do Subluxations Affect Neurological and Cognitive Function?
It’s easy to assume subluxations are only about back pain, or the odd twinge in your neck. But when nerve flow is disrupted, the consequences can ripple much further—sometimes popping up in places you might never expect.
The Nervous System and Unlikely Symptoms
Remember: the nervous system carries vital messages throughout the body. When these signals are muddied or blocked—even slightly—by a misaligned vertebra, it can lead to a surprising list of symptoms, from digestive upsets to changes in mood, sleep, and even concentration. Some people report foggy thinking, memory lapses, or swings in their emotional state, with no obvious relation to a sore back.
While it’s important to note that not every illness or dysfunction can be traced back to a subluxation, these spinal interferences almost always decrease your body’s inherent ability to adapt and function at its best.
Segmental and Widespread Effects
The effects of a subluxation can show up locally (right at the affected spot) but also spread throughout the system:
- Compressive Stress: When a vertebra puts pressure on a nerve, signals to or from an organ, limb, or tissue can weaken, slowing down function or response.
- Irritative Changes: Sometimes nerves become overstimulated, firing off more signals than necessary and leading to things like muscle spasms or heightened sensitivities.
- Altered Nerve Input: Reduced mobility in a spinal joint changes the type and timing of nerve signals traveling to the brain—affecting not just movement, but how your brain processes stress, posture, balance, memory, and even your mood.
The links between spinal health and cognitive function are well documented in neurology circles; studies highlight how irregular nerve input can elevate stress hormones, muddle memory, and tilt your body toward a state of imbalance and disorder.
Addressing subluxations could have far reaching benefits beyond back pain.
Is All Disease or Dysfunction Caused by Subluxations?
It’s important to note that not every health issue is rooted in subluxations alone. While subluxations can disrupt the body’s natural ability to function and heal—lowering the potential for optimal health—they are just one piece of a much larger puzzle.
Many factors shape our overall well-being, including lifestyle choices, environmental exposures, nutrition (or lack thereof), the presence of toxins, our genetic inheritance, and even our daily mindset. Sometimes, disease develops in the presence of subluxations; other times, it arises regardless of spinal alignment.
True health is affected by a combination of influences, but addressing subluxations helps restore normal nerve flow, allowing the body to better adapt and perform as intended.
Does the World Health Organiztion Recognise Vertebral Subluxation?
Yes, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognises vertebral subluxation as a medical condition. It is officially listed in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), where it appears under the code M99.1 as “subluxation complex (vertebral).” This inclusion reflects the growing understanding within global health circles of the potential impact subluxations can have on overall wellbeing, not just confined to the spine but influencing other aspects of health and function as well.