Subluxation means misalignment. A Vertebral Subluxation refers to a spinal bone which has become misaligned. Subluxations exert pressure on the nervous system, causing nerve interference.

Subluxations can arise from stress: physical, chemical or emotional. Physical stress is the most common type of stress. Examples are motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, slip and fall injuries, and the process of birth. Birth produces vertebral subluxation, especially when the delivery involves forceps, vacuum extraction and even assistance by hand. Up to 70 pounds of pressure are exerted on the newborn's head and neck, causing serious subluxations to develop. Chemical stresses affect the nervous system. Examples are chemical pollutants in our environment, drugs, alcohol and a poor diet. These substances can act to irritate and hinder the optimal function of the nervous system, as well as many other systems of the body, causing negative chemical imbalances. Emotional stress can put a great demand on the spinal joints, muscles and the nervous system. Emotional stress seen when we are caught in a long lineup, traffic jams, have family and marital problems builds up the tension in our muscles and joints, and if left alone uncorrected for a long time, will eventually lead to headaches, spinal pain, high blood pressure and anxiety attacks, to name a few. Tension is increased primarily in the upper back, shoulders and neck muscles and will produce subluxation. Emotions also play an important role in healing because negative thoughts can reflect in impaired healing. Optimal health and healing starts with providing the body the best possible environment to grow and develop in. Doctors of chiropractic are primary health care practitioners who believe in wellness or a preventive lifestyle.

Whether it is physical, chemical or emotional stress which is placed on the nervous system, the outcome is negative. Vertebral subluxation will develop, causing further nerve interference. Whenever the nervous system is interfered with, the connection between brain and body is impaired, and there may be malfunction of any cell, tissue or organ of the body.