Download Taylor Ostrander 117437 CP Session 4 Assignment Language

Taylor Ostrander
117437
CP Session 4 Assignment
Language
Palmer developed the term subluxation to describe a lesion in the back caused by an out
of place vertebra pinching a nerve (1). Subluxation is a term used to describe the cause of
disease, and therefor fixing the subluxation cures disease (1). Subluxation complex is a
theoretical model about spinal lesions that include the integration with inflammatory,
degenerative and pathologic changes (2). The term subluxation is constantly changing as more
evidence becomes available (1). As biomechanics of subluxation changes, new models are
developed that take into account all tissue sites in the body and their somatic, neural and
visceral components (3). The vertebral subluxation complex, one of the changes to the
subluxation concept, did not contribute to the scientific advancement of subluxation (3). The
term in today’s society is though to carry too much baggage, and because of this new terms are
used to describe the lesion (1). Terms such as: lesion, lumbar strain, slipped disc, herniated disc,
facet syndrome, and misalignment are all terms chiropractors agree exist to some degree (2).
Biomechanics
Understanding the biomechanics of subluxation modified the the original theory (4).
Evidence became available and this lead to changes to Palmer’s ideas on subluxation (3). The
new concept about why a subluxation exits came to be thought of as due to a disturbance in
function (3). Thinking changed from a focus on the bone to a focus on the joint, which started
the evolution of the scientific model for chiropractic (3). By changing the thinking from a bone
to a joint, helped power the theory of subluxation at the joint level and how the nerves can be
affected because of It (3). Thinking further shifted from just nerve compression to involving the
deep tissues (3).
Pathophysiological Effects
The Association of Chiropractic College definition of subluxation is the following:
“subluxation is a complex of function and/or structural and/or pathological articular changes
that compromise neural integrity and may influence organ system function and general health”
(2).
VCS theory on subluxation took into account pathological effects to nerve, muscle,
ligamentous, vascular and connective tissue (2). This theory however does not take into
account Palmer’s original ideas on the effects of a subluxation on organ function (2).
The Neurodynamics of Vertebral Subluxation theory combines previous theories to
develop the idea of subluxation as a complex model (2). The Neurodynamics of Vertebral
Subluxation theory states: “a model of spinal lesion that include the interaction of
inflammatory, degenerative, and pathological changes in nerves, muscle, ligaments, vascular
and connective tissues and may influence organ system function and health” (2).
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It has been argued that chiropractic is becoming scientific and the profession is resisting
the evidence-based approach (2). As time progresses the vitalism perspective on the activity of
the nervous system transformed into a physiologically-based understanding of the nervous
system (3). The current hypothesis includes inflammation as the initial response to instability,
stabilization, and the pathophysiologic includes neuropathology, somatosomatic and
somatoautonomic dysfunction (2).
Clinical Syndrome
The clinical syndrome of subluxation results in pain because of a trapped nerve (2). The
symptoms a patient would present with would be pain. Pain can be effected by the theory of
releasing endorphins through an adjustment (5). There may also be organ function disruption
and based on Palmer’s original theory, there is a subluxation causing the function problem and
an adjustment would fix the issue (2).
In some cases, patients can benefit from an adjustment because they have a
subluxation, however it is too detrimental to perform one. An example would be patients with
osteoporosis, who may benefit from an adjustment, but are at a higher risk for a fracture from
the force of the adjustment (4). It is important to determine if the patient is able to be adjusted.
Effects of the Adjustment
Adjustments are done to target the subluxation (3). There are a few different theories
on the effects of an adjustment; muscle spasm, mechanoreceptors, breaking scar tissue, joint
locking, joint nutrition and lubrication, release of endorphins and ADIO (5). Muscle spasm
theory deals with resetting the muscle spindles, post adjustment the muscle will relax (5).
Mechanoreceptor stimulation theory is based upon the adjustment stimulating the
mechanoreceptors in the joint capsule (5). Another theory is based on the fact that once a joint
becomes injured, scar tissue develops and an adjustment breaks up the scar tissue (5). A fourth
theory is based upon the fact that there is an meinscoid between the joints in the spine and
these joints can become stuck, and the adjustment frees the stuck joint (5). Another idea about
adjustments success is based upon putting motion though the joint to improve the joint
lubrication and nutrition (5). Furthermore, there is some evidence to suggest that an
adjustment releases endorphins from the brain to reduce the pain perception in the patient (5).
The last theory, ADIO, is the traditional subluxation theory (5). The subluxation, or ADIO theory,
is based upon the idea that a nerve is stuck or irritated in the intervertebral foramen and an
adjustment moves the spine to free the nerve (5).
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Reference:
1. Budgell,B. Evolution of Language [Posted in Module 2 Readings]
2. Leach, RA, The Chiropractic Theories, Pathophysiology, pp.7 – 12 [Posted in Module 2
Readings]
3. Vernon,H. Historical overview and update on subluxation theories , JCHum. 2010.
[Posted in Module 2 Readings]
4. Haldeman, Principles and Practice of Chiropractic, Buckling, pp.362 – 369
5. View PowerPoint on KIRO: ‘The There’ (Voice over of presentation by Dr. Ross) [Posted
in Module 2 Readings]