A vertebral subluxation has two meanings; one to a chiropractor and another to a spine surgeon. Since I sit on both sides of this definition, i’ll tell you both.
The short answer to the surgical side is that a luxation is the same as a dislocation. A hip luxation is a dislocation of the hip joint. A spinal luxation is a dislocation of the spine (a very serious injury). A subluxation is simply the partial dislocation of the joint, either a peripheral joint like the hip or the spine.
In chiropractic terms, the subluxation has two different definitions depending upon the philosophy of the chiropractor. In biomechanical terms, a subluxation is a vertebral motor unit (two vertebra and the disc associated) that has restricted motion. Manipulation (the adjustment) cavitates the joint (opens the joint by breaking the suction) to allow more range of motion.
The chiropractor who has a more philosophical bent believes that a “subluxation” compresses the nerve which leads to disease (“dis ease”-lack of ease). These subluxations need to be manipulated (the adjustment) to relieve the nerve compression and restore health.
Dr. Corenman
PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
