Can chiropractic survive without the Vertebral Subluxation Complex? The vertebral subluxation is the foundation of chiropractic. Without the vertebral subluxation. what is chiropractic? We, the chiropractic profession, are a distinct and very different form of health care with the Vertebral Subluxation Complex (VSC) as our foundation. Without the VSC. how will we be defined as a profession? Will we be the next in a long line of non-allopathic healing arts to succumb to the pressures of the pharmaceutically driven allopathic medical machine? Entire books have been written on the subject of the VSC. Some of these are well-written, well-referenced, and have stood the test of peer scrutiny and time. Others are emotionally based with philosophical references, rather than having more substantive scientific resources in support of their hypotheses. Both have merit and have stood the test of time. What is the Vertebral Subluxation Complex? It will mean different things to different people depending on where and when they were educated in chiropractic. The Chiropractic Textbook, by Stephenson. defined the Vertebral Subluxation Complex: "A subluxation is the condition of a vertebra that has lost its proper juxtaposition with the one above or the one below, or both, to an extent less than a luxation, which impinges nerves and interferes with the transmission of mental impulses." Ronald J. Watkins, D.C., gave another definition, which was referenced in Scientific Chiropractic, by Smallie (pi50): "Subluxation-Static or kinetic (less than a luxation) disrelationship between two adjacent articulating joint surfaces. The following types have been observed: A) Tilt with disc wedging; rotation with disc torque or both together; B) Limitations of some motions with free excursion with others (partial fixation); C) Loss of all motions (total fixation); D) Normal neutral position, but reversed motion in some directions (paradoxi- cal-usually a symptom); E) Normal neutral and extreme positions, but subject to erratic, jumpy motion during shifts of positions (usually a symptom)." Paul Smallie. D.C.. in his book, Scientific Chiropractic (pi 83-4.), gave his own lengthy definition: "The word subluxation, in order to have specific chiropractic meaning, must be in support of the discovery of D. D. Palmer, that obstructive pressure is caused by vertebral subluxation, only when the relation of the position of contiguous vertebra are not automatically corrected by complete muscular relaxation following a return of environmental neutrality, after the cessation of the stimulatory stress." "All subluxations are primarily, pro-tective-if temporary. Otherwise, they exert some degree of obstruction to transmission of nerve energy and, proportionately, impair function of the tissues to which impinged nerve or nerves may supply normally, stimulatory energy impulses. "Protoplasm adaptation is the process by which subluxations become more or less fixed, unless expansion of the inter-vertebral cartilages automatically corrects them when muscular contractions stop (either from exhaustion or because of environmental neutralization)." Dr. A E. Homewood, in his text. The Neurodyncimics of the Vertebral Sublimation, states, "A subluxation, in the chiropractic sense, is not a partial dislocation (less than a luxation), but an alteration of the normal anatomical or physiological relationships, or dynamics, of contiguous structures." There are other authors or entities which have further defined or described the subluxation, including Palmer College of Chiropractic and the Palmer Institute for Professional Advancement. They have either adapted the works of others or have, otherwise, utilized the "Five points of the VSC", which are: 1. Kinesiopathology-abnormal motion. This may be fixation, hypermobility or paradoxical motion. 2. Neuropathophysiology-abnormal nerve function. 3. Myopathology-abnorma! muscle activity. This will include hypertonicity, spasm and hypotonicity. 4. Histpathology-sof't tissue damage. The changes in the soft tissue due to altered nerve and vascular supply. 5.Arthrop a tho physiology/ Pathophysiology/ Spinal Pathophysiology"'-degenerative changes. This results from aberrant motion and altered nerve supply to the vascular supply resulting malnutrition in the joint It does not matter which definition you prefer. They all describe the same entity, the entity on which chiropractic was built. Detecting the vertebral subluxation is no mystery to a chiropractor. Since the beginning of chiropractic, the primary tool for detecting the subluxation has been the chiropractor's hands. This is well documented in the historical literature. Instruments have also been used to detect altered nerve function. Radiographic studies may aid in the detection of misalignments. The hands and palpation skills of the chiropractor, however, have been primary in the determination of hypomobili-ty, hyper/hypotonicity. and altered skin texture that make up the hallmark of the VSC. What IS chiropractic without the VSC? It is my opinion that chiropractic without the VSC is nothing more than unguided manipulation of the spine, at best. At worst, it is a poor form of physical therapy. It is our philosophy, and our belief in the subluxation, that guide us professionally. This is what makes us distinct, different and effective. The vertebral subluxation is the foundation of chiropractic. Without the vertebral subluxation, chiropractic will become osteopathy or physical therapy or some other second class occupation, under the thumb of allopathic medicine and the pharmaceutical cartels. Think about it! Do you want chiropractic to succumb to the pharmaceutical/allopathic/insurance financial cartel on your watch? It is time to stand up and be counted. The future of chiropractic rests in the hands of all of us who practice the philosophy, science, and art of chiropractic daily. •♦♦ Questions regarding this article should\ be forwarded to Dr. D../. Berry, Nonheast Chiropractic Specialists, 2322 E. Kimbery Rd, I0S Davenport, IA 52807-7205 or e-rnail DJ [email protected].
