Vertebral Subluxation Complex (VSC)

Your nervous system controls every organ, muscle, and tissue. When a vertebra shifts out of alignment, it can interfere with the nerve pathways responsible for carrying messages to and from the brain. This interference can lead to:

• Pain or stiffness
• Muscle tightness or spasms
• Reduced mobility
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness
• Organ or system dysfunction
• Decreased overall performance and wellness

If left untreated, a subluxation can contribute to degeneration of the spine and discs over time. As the body adapts to the misalignment, muscles compensate, joints become stressed, and the surrounding structures begin to change. The longer this persists, the more difficult it can be to restore the spine to its proper position.

A vertebral subluxation is more than a bone out of place—it involves several interconnected physiological changes. Chiropractors identify VSC using these five components:

1. Spinal Kinesiopathology - Abnormal or restricted movement of the vertebrae.
2. Neuropathophysiology - Nerve interference or irritation affecting how signals travel between the brain and body.
3. Myopathology - Muscular changes such as tightness, weakness, spasms, or imbalances.
4. Histopathology - Inflammation and tissue changes, including swelling, fluid buildup, and cellular damage.
5. Pathophysiology - Degenerative changes or abnormal growth that can develop if the subluxation persists over time.

These components together reflect how a single misalignment can affect the body structurally, neurologically, and systemically.