When a vertebra becomes misaligned or moves out of its normal position, this is referred to in the chiropractic profession as a subluxation. Subluxations can be caused by a wide range of issues ranging from a minor slip to a car accident to sudden trauma. When a vertebra is subluxated, it begins to put pressure on nerves, blood vessels and other structures around it. This pressure comes with a price. The subluxation interrupts the natural pathways that messages travel along (nerves) and often times prevents these messages from reaching the appropriate destination. The messages must get to their destination accurately in order to be completed properly.
As time goes by and a subluxation remains untreated, the spine and surrounding features such as discs, can begin to degenerate. This degeneration becomes more difficult to reverse as time goes on. It also causes the surrounding muscles, nerves and bones to compensate for the irregularity within the musculoskeletal system. The longer this goes untreated, the more difficult it is to correct and the longer it takes the body to regain its original structure.
