Occasionally, at my chiropractic office in Ann Arbor and other times when people learn that I'm a chiropractor, I'm asked what is a “subluxation”? I let people now that the definition of this term is somewhat controversial in the chiropractic world as different chiropractors have differing opinions on how to define it. Basically, though, the word “subluxation” means a vertebra that has moved out of its proper position. To take this further, a subluxation often results in interference to the joint, tissue and nerve function in the surrounding area of the subluxation. The nerve interference is especially problematic as it can cause among other things, back pain, neck pain, headaches, tight muscles, compromised immune system and ill health to the organs, systems and tissues of the body. As chiropractors we try to remove subluxations so that the body can function as close to 100% as possible.

So, the next question I often get is “how do chiropractors remove subluxations?” Subluxations are removed by the use of chiropractic adjustments either by a very specific low force high speed manual push to a joint in the spine or sometimes with the use of a spring loaded instrument that produces a high speed low mass impulse to a spinal joint. At Tannenbaum Chiropractic in Ann Arbor we use both of these adjusting techniques with more of an emphasis on the manual approach.

Finally, I'm often asked by both those who have been to a chiropractor and those that haven’t “how do I know if I have a subluxation?” The answer is that you often don't know because the subluxation itself is often painless and therefore you need to go to a chiropractor, who is trained to detect and treat subluxations, to find out if you have one.

I believe if all people went to a chiropractor for the detection of subluxations and the removal of them we would have a happier and healthier world.

At Tannenbaum Chiropractic in Ann Arbor we would be love to talk to you further about subluxations and to see if you have any. You can reach our Ann Arbor office at 734-929-0444.