Your body was designed for movement. When one of bones of the spine misaligns, it not only produces pressure on the affected nerves that lowers function, it also starts a degeneration process that can lead to spinal decay. Similar to dental cavities if your teeth are left care for. Your spine degenerates in much the same way. We will use x-rays of the neck taken from the side as an example of what subluxation degeneration looks like.
Normal Cervical Spine
Normal curves and proper disc spacing allow normal function of the spine and nervous system. This also allows for minimal pressure to be applied to the nervous system which allows maximum function.
Phase One Cervical Spine
When subluxation first occurs and is left untreated. You can see loss of the normal curve which results in nervous system dysfunction from the uncorrected spinal trauma.
Phase One:
Usually seen as the misalignment and malfunction of the spine. Normal spinal motion, curves, and disc spacing are altered. Because the body is so adaptable, this early phase can exist without the warning of pain or other symptoms. If left uncorrected, the degeneration continues.
Phase Two Cervical Spine
Bone spurs and abnormal bony growths distort the shape and function of the vertebrae.
Phase Two:
Recognized on X-ray views of the spine by visible bone spurs and rough edges of the vertebrae. Soft tissues, such as discs and ligaments degenerate from the lack of normal joint movement. Again, pain or other symptoms may not be present.
Phase Three Cervical Spine
After years of neglect, the improperly functioning spinal joints often fuse together.
Phase Three:
A lifetime of neglect may cause the eventual fusion of the malfunctioning joints. Atrophy, permanent nerve damage, and soft tissue degeneration are prevalent. Reduced mobility and impaired nervous system function, diminish one’s quality of life.
“Normal” 75-Year-Old Cervical Spine
This 75-year old patient prevented Subluxation Degeneration with many years of regular chiropractic checkups.
Subluxation Degeneration is how the body responds to improperly functioning spinal joints. With early detection, appropriate chiropractic care has been shown to slow, stop, or even reverse the early stages of this process. Ask your doctor to design a program of preventive care for you.
Prognosis:
Often times, patients that present immediately for care can be seen as normal or in Phase 1. In this treatment, there is little structural damage and results are usually excellent with spinal structures returning to normal and pressure relieved in short periods of time. Spines that have been left untreated for a period may present in phase 2. These patients can also experience great results although in this phase, there may be some permanent damage to the spinal structures and it may require more care to achieve the optimum results. If the spinal structures are left untreated for many years, the patient will present in phase 3 degeneration. These patients can experience relief from many symptoms but complete curve regeneration and structural correction may be unattainable as the amount of permanent damage, including spinal fusions, may be irreversible.
