Do I have a vertebral subluxation?

A vertebral subluxation is a spinal joint that has shifted out of alignment and stopped moving freely. It's one of the most common things we look for in the office, because when a joint locks up, it puts stress on the surrounding tissue and the nerves running through it — and that stress ripples through the rest of your body. Here's what a subluxation actually is, why it matters, and how we figure out if you have one.

What a vertebral subluxation actually is

Your vertebrae are the joints stacked along your spine. "Subluxation" means one of those joints has shifted and is no longer moving freely or stably through its normal range of motion.

In plain terms: the spine is out of alignment in a spot, and that segment isn't moving the way it should.

Why it matters beyond back pain

When a spinal joint stops moving correctly, it creates tension on the joint itself, the surrounding tissue, and the nerve roots exiting the spine at that level. Because your nervous system controls everything your body does, that local stress can show up far from the spine.

A subluxated spine keeps your body in a low-grade stress state. That stress response:

• raises cortisol levels
• interferes with insulin reception
• disrupts hormone balance

If you're chronically stressed, your body has a harder time fighting off sickness and disease than a body that isn't. Over time, subluxations can contribute to physical, biomechanical, and physiological problems — pain, metabolic issues, poor sleep, low energy, and mood changes among them.

The flip side: when your joints and spine move freely and stably, and you've built balanced strength in the surrounding muscles, your body is set up to function at a much higher level.

How a chiropractor diagnoses a subluxation

There are a few ways we identify a subluxation in the office.

Nervoscope (Gonstead technique)

The Nervoscope is a tool developed by Dr. Clarence Gonstead as part of the Gonstead technique. It picks up on heat differentials along the spine. When a nerve is compressed, the resulting inflammation produces heat — and the Nervoscope helps pinpoint exactly which segment is involved.

Range-of-motion exam

During a physical exam, we'll move each spinal joint through its normal range of motion. If a segment isn't moving the way it should, that's a subluxation.

X-rays

To see what's going on objectively, we take X-rays. Imaging confirms the location and severity of the misalignment and rules out other issues that need to be considered before treatment.

Think you might have a subluxation? Get checked at Advanced Health Chiropractic in Chicago's South Loop. Our $49 new patient exam includes X-rays so we can see exactly what's happening in your spine — no guesswork. Book online or call (312) 987-4878.

How we correct it

Once we've located the subluxation, we choose the best approach for your spine and your goals. Our main objective is to correct subluxations and restore function to your life without drugs and without surgery.

For most people, we can restore proper motion to that segment of the spine. The exceptions are usually significant trauma, advanced degeneration, or congenital spinal differences — and even in those cases, there's almost always meaningful progress to be made.

At Advanced Health we use Chiropractic BioPhysics methods, which combine adjustments with structural rehab and traction to actually change the shape and alignment of the spine over time — not just relieve symptoms in the moment.

Ready to find out where you stand?

If you've been dealing with nagging pain, poor sleep, low energy, or you just want to know whether your spine is moving the way it should, a thorough exam is the place to start. Schedule a new patient visit or call (312) 987-4878 and we'll take a look.