Disclaimer

The current Guidelines issued by the General Chiropractic Council regarding the terminology “Vertebral Subluxation Complex” and any derivative thereof i.e. “subluxation” is

“The Chiropractic Vertebral subluxation complex is an historical concept but it remains a theoretical model. It is not supported by any clinical research evidence that would allow claims to be made that it is the cause of disease or health concerns.”

Therefore this page is for information only, however, as 97% of the world's Chiropractors accept and utilise the terms Vertebral Subluxation Complex and Subluxation at this time we feel it is important information to be included on this site.

Patient Testimonials

“After ten years of serious pain in my head, neck, shoulder, back and right down through my hips and groin area, my mind got to a point where I thought I would never get better. Thankfully and old friend introduced me to chiropractic care. That was six and a half years ago when I couldn't even pick up a cup of tea with my left arm. Today I am pain free and my strength of arms and legs are back. ”

The Profession of Chiropractic

Chiropractic treatment of patient Chiropractic was discovered by Dr Daniel D Palmer in 1895. Dr Palmer, an astute scientist and clinician, surmised that if a spinal segment became misaligned there could be irritation of the nerves at that level as they exited from the spine. This could result in abnormal impulses being transmitted to the organ or tissue to which the nerve served. This in turn would cause a variety of symptoms from pain to dysfunction and eventually pathological changes. Much of the work in modern chiropractic is associated with the vertebral subluxation complex (spinal segmental dysfunction) the potential effects of correcting this subluxation are profound and at the forefront of neurophysiology. Palmer, a man of great forethought and observation, was 100 years ahead of his time.

Chiropractic manipulation Chiropractic is a primary health care profession which emphasises the inherent recuperative power of the human body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery.

Chiropractic practice acknowledges the fact that the nervous system controls the function of all the body tissues and organs. Where there is irritation or compromise of the nervous system, malfunction, disease and pathology will follow (unless rectified).

Chiropractic is the largest healthcare profession in the world after medicine and dentistry and is protected by legislation in the majority of countries in the western world and is becoming more and more utilised in the rest of the world.

There are approximately 50,000 doctors of chiropractic throughout the world, graduating from some 40 colleges and universities. Under-graduates undergo over 4,000 hours of full time study over 4 or 5 years. Post-graduate courses leading to Degrees are available in Neurology, Orthopaedics, Nutrition, Radiology, Paediatrics and Applied Kinesiology.

Definition of Vertebral Subluxation Complex (VSC)

Forehead "A subluxation is a complex of functional and/or structural and/or pathological articular changes that compromise neural integrity and may influence organ system function and general health" (A Guide to Chiropractic, Scottish Chiropractic Association Booklet)

Other sources of reference:

Autonomic Nervous System - Kuntz
Symptoms of Visceral Disease - Pottinger
The Neurodynamics of the Vertebral Subluxation - Homewood
Pathogenesis of Visceral Disease - American Osteopathic Association
Chiropractic Principles & Technic - Janse et al.
Books by D D and B J Palmer (The Green Books)
ACC Paradigm