Your brain spinal cord are protected by the skull and 24 vertebrae and the nerves exit between the spinal bones. Because of this design, abnormal spinal function caused from physical or repetitive trauma, emotional tensions, poor posture, inadequate diet, or chemical toxins can affect the delicate tissues. Some people associate this to a "pinched nerve," however, it is actually quite rare. Researchers suggest that only 10% to 15% of spine-related problems are caused by direct pressure of bone on nerve tissue! Resulting numbness, burning, or a "pins and needles" feeling can come then occur. More frequently, this is caused when nerve tissue is rubbed, scraped, stretched by a loss of spinal curve, or irritated by malfunctioning spinal joints.

Doctors of chiropractic refer to this as the Vertebral Subluxation Complex (VSC), where a chain reaction affecting the spinal bones, nerves, muscles, and soft tissues. Resulting impairment of vital nerve pathways from the brain and feedback from the organs causes ill-health. Muscles controlled by this information super highway can go into spasm, become weak, or atrophy (shrink).  Adjacent discs, the vertebrae's shock absorbing pads, can then dehydrate. Lack of adequate sustenance promotes additional abnormal soft tissue function. This leads  to the improper wear and tear of the adjacent spinal joints lending itself to the degenerative process itself (also called arthritis), or what we like to call "Spinal Decay."

The cascade of events is the underlying cause of many health problems and is characterized by its five component respective to the above.

	SPINAL KINESIOPATHOLOGY (Abnormal motion or position of spinal bones) This can restrict movement or joint motion and lead to the next several components.
	NEUROPATHOPHYSIOLOGY (Abnormal nervous system function) This can choke, stretch or irritate the delicate nerves and lead to problems in other areas, organs and tissues.
	MYOPATHOLOGY (Abnormal muscle function) Tightened or lengthened muscles can lead to inherent weakness which facilitate more spasms, fibrosing or scar tissue and resultant imbalances in the spinal, nervous and muscular system.
	HISTOPATHOLOGY (Abnormal soft tissue function) Increase temperatures, blood and lymphatic flow can lend to swelling, inflammation and pain. Discs can dry out (dessicate), tear, bulge or rupture. Other soft tissue damages can result.
	PATHOPHYSIOLOGY (Abnormal function of the spine and body) Resultant bone growth and spurring attempts to fuse malfunctioned joints. The facilitates more stiffness, pain, spasm and inflammation. This spinal decay can lead to further dysfunction in all aspects above.

Lacking proper care at the opportune time, this process can manifests at an accelerated rate. Muscle strength, endurance and flexibility diminish very quickly without activity. Deconditioning occurs very rapidly when your normal daily routine and activity is stopped. Although most of these changes may not be noticed right away, in the same fashion a cavity may present itself following years of dental decay . The pain that re-occurs may be more severe, the tissues slower to recover, and the area prone to re-injury.

Study after study has confirmed the far-reaching effects of abnormal joint function and more research is being conducted in the areas of immune system response, aging, hormonal involvement, and even genetic consequences.

Clearly, the Vertebral Subluxation Complex may be one of the most common, yet overlooked sources of health problems.

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