What is Chiropractic?

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Vertebral Subluxation: Society’s Most Overlooked Pandemic

Dr. Steve Tullius chiropractic is…, Vertebral Subluxation, What is Chiropractic?

Vertebral subluxation is one of the most overlooked forms of neurological dysfunction affecting society today.

It is pandemic.

Vertebral Subluxation Chiropractic Chiropractor

It robs individuals of health, function and well-being, yet the vast majority of the world has never heard the term. Even fewer have the awareness that they or their family members may actually be experiencing it in their lives.

So what is vertebral subluxation and why is it so common?

Vertebral subluxation is a structural misalignment of the spine that by the very nature of our anatomy, necessarily affects the all-important nervous system, and has both local and global effects on our bodies and lives. 1-13

Vertebral Subluxation nervous system chiropractic

What causes vertebral subluxation?

Vertebral subluxation is caused by physical, chemical and emotional stressors. The body is designed to handle stress by dissipating that stress throughout the system, using it for its own benefit or if too much of a load, incurring damage to the physical tissues. Much like a bone breaks when the force exceeds the bone’s capacity for that force, the spine subluxates when exposed to excessive acute and/or repetitive stress.

Why is vertebral subluxation so common?

Vertebral subluxation is a natural consequence of the stressors mentioned above. All three types of stress occur throughout life and now in our sedentary, industrialized lifestyles, they occur in epic proportions, and likewise, so do subluxations of the spine. Vertebral subluxation is a natural, degenerative condition. They are a natural consequence when the body is subjected to forces beyond its capacity to adapt to those forces. That capacity to adapt is reduced even more in the presence of vertebral subluxation as the nervous system now becomes compromised, and with it, its ability to adapt to stress.

If vertebral subluxations are so common, why are they so overlooked?

The answer is three-fold.

1. A very small percentage of the nervous system is actually dedicated to your sensory experience. This means that dysfunction of your nervous system occurs frequently without any conscious awareness of it because there is often no “feeling” associated with it.

Pain and other conditions associated with vertebral subluxation, like other degenerative conditions, come much later in the process while the actual dysfunction occurs early on. This point is classically illustrated by heart disease. Often the first awareness comes with a heart attack and sudden death even though the disease process has been ongoing for many, many years.

2. The scientific and healthcare community outside of chiropractic is grossly unaware of how to recognize spinal dysfunction or the local and global effects of that dysfunction. While many are unaware and remain in the dark, others are unaware and spread their ignorance through misdirected and malignant criticism of the thing they are ill-prepared to offer any professional or scientific opinion on.

Much of this criticism still comes on the heels of an organized attempt by the American Medical Association to destroy the chiropractic profession through the use of slanderous propaganda. Those actions ultimately resulted in their being found guilty of Anti-Trust violations by the Supreme Court, but not after serious damage was done to the credibility of the profession. 14

3. Despite a large body of positive chiropractic and associated scientific research, there still remains a lack of large-scale research demonstrating the improved quality of life and positive physiological and psychosocial changes that chiropractors have seen for over one hundred years.

While the countless case studies and smaller studies are sufficient to demonstrate a clear benefit and association, we still need more. At very least, the current body of knowledge coupled with the awareness of the often severe impact on human life and economics warrants significant attention and funding to address this need. However, this is not the case. There are two primary reasons for this.

1. For the most part, chiropractic research has to be internally funded. We rarely receive federal or private funding to advance our research. The bulk of the world’s research dollars are going to fund new pharmaceuticals. The truth is that chiropractic has done very well in cost-related studies when compared to other care options. There is no reason for those currently making money off of our sick care system to invest in a natural, cost-effective solution.15

2. Internal conflict has sapped time, energy and resources from pursuing and advancing a research agenda centered around vertebral subluxation. There are chiropractors within the field and in academia who put forth that we should adopt different terminology such as “spinal lesion” or “joint dysunction” because they believe it will be more readily accepted by the medical community and insurance companies. The irony is that there is more evidence and scientific support for the vertebral subluxation than there are for those other two concepts.

When should someone see a chiropractor?

Recognizing that vertebral subluxation occurs commonly throughout life, it would follow that if someone values optimal health and function, they should be checked throughout life for the presence of this common form of spinal and neurological dysfunction. This model of health maintenance and prevention is no different than that of the dentistry profession.

It is this author’s opinion that everyone should be checked from birth throughout life for the presence of vertebral subluxation. I have offered this level of care to my own son and have received this type of care for over half of my life. It would be both immoral and unethical for me to recommend anything less to others, or at very least to educate them on the available options. For some that means getting checked once a month, others every 3 months. Still some choose to get checked once a week.

To those that have still not grasped the significance of the neurological ramifications and detrimental effects vertebral subluxation presents, getting checked in this manner, will seem extreme. However, when one values optimal performance, health and function and realizes that having an optimum functioning spine and nervous system is a necessary part of that equation, they will soon realize that having your spine checked regularly by a chiropractor, much like seeing a dentist, is a healthy thing to do.

References:

1. Bolton, P. S. (2000). Reflex effects of vertebral subluxations: the peripheral nervous system. An update. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics, 23(2), 101-103.

2. Seaman, D. R. (1997). JOINT COMPLEX DYSFUNCTION, A NOVEL TERM TO REPLACE SUBLUXATION/SUBLUXATIONCOMPLEX: ETIOLOGICAL AND TREATMENT CONSIDERATIONS. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics, 20(9), 634-644.

3. McLain, R. F. (1994). Mechanoreceptor endings in human cervical facet joints.Spine, 19(5), 495-501.

4. Taylor, H. H., Holt, K., & Murphy, B. (2010). Exploring the neuromodulatory effects of the vertebral subluxation and chiropractic care. Chiropr J Aust, 40, 37-44.

5. Haavik-Taylor, H., & Murphy, B. (2007). Cervical spine manipulation alters sensorimotor integration: a somatosensory evoked potential study. Clinical neurophysiology, 118(2), 391-402.

6. Daligadu, J. (2012). Cortical and cerebellar motor processing changes subsequent to motor training and cervical spine manipulation.

7. Marshall, L. D. (2013). The effect of cervical spine manipulation on elbow joint position sense in patients with acute cervical facet syndrome.

8. Haavik, H., & Murphy, B. (2012). The role of spinal manipulation in addressing disordered sensorimotor integration and altered motor control. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 22(5), 768-776.

9. Haavik, H., & Murphy, B. (2011). Subclinical neck pain and the effects of cervical manipulation on elbow joint position sense. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics, 34(2), 88-97.

10. Haavik-Taylor, H., & Murphy, B. (2007). Transient modulation of intracortical inhibition following spinal manipulation. Chiropractic Journal of Australia, 37(3), 106.

11. Taylor, H. H., & Murphy, B. (2010). The effects of spinal manipulation on central integration of dual somatosensory input observed after motor training: a crossover study. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics, 33(4), 261-272.

12. Taylor, H. H., & Murphy, B. (2010). Altered central integration of dual somatosensory input after cervical spine manipulation. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics, 33(3), 178-188.

13. Taylor, H. H., & Murphy, B. (2008). Altered sensorimotor integration with cervical spine manipulation. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics, 31(2), 115-126.

14. Wilk v AMA http://biotech.law.lsu.edu/cases/antitrust/wilk_v_AMA.htm

15. List of studies on cost-effectiveness http://www.chiro.org/LINKS/Cost_Effectiveness.shtml

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You See a Chiropractor Because it’s a Healthy Thing to Do

Dr. Steve Tullius Children, chiropractic is…, Families, Vertebral Subluxation, What is Chiropractic?

Whenever people hear that I am a chiropractor, they will either do one of two things.

They will usually grab their neck or back and say something like, “Man, I really need to see you,” or, “I’ve never had to see a chiropractor but if I had the need I would definitely try it.”

Both situations are far removed from how society should actually be utilizing chiropractic care.

Chiropractic checkup is like brushing your teeth Like brushing your teeth, seeing a chiropractor for periodic checkups is a healthy thing to do. We don’t eat well for one day and expect to be healthy our whole lives. Similarly, we also don’t exercise a couple times and expect to be physically fit.

The optimal movement of our spine and that impact on our nervous system and global health represents one of the key secrets to experiencing optimal health and function.

In a previous article I went into how important structure is to function. Every scientist, contractor and engineer recognizes that structure necessarily affects function. When our structure (spinal column) becomes misaligned, it causes irritation of the delicate nerve fibers that travel through it. Considering that Dr. Chang Ha Suh, a spinal biomechanics expert from the University of Colorado discovered that just the weight of a dime could alter nerve function up to 60%, chiropractic care becomes part of a healthy lifestyle to promote and maintain good health.

Vertebral subluxations are one of the most common and overlooked forms of altered structure and nerve function. Dr. Suh determined that, “Subluxation is very real. We have documented it to the extent that no one can dispute its existence. Vertebral subluxations change the entire health of the body by causing structural dysfunction of the spine and nerve interference. The weight of a dime on a spinal nerve will reduce nerve transmission by as much as 60%.”

So like brushing our teeth to maintain good health and prevent decay, regular checkups by a chiropractor are essential to maintaining a healthy spine and nervous system.

Considering that only approximately 10% of our nervous system is actually dedicated to how we feel while the rest is dedicated to how we function, don’t you think it would be a good idea for yourself and family to actually understand how well it is working and to remove any stress from it so that you can experience optimal health and function?

We do too.

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So What Is Chiropractic Anyway?

Dr. Steve Tullius chiropractic is…, Featured, Vertebral Subluxation, What is Chiropractic?

What Is Chiropractic?

Ah…chiropractic.

The profession that few people understand what it actually is.

A profession misunderstood and underutilized at an alarming rate if society actually knew what chiropractic is.

So what is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is the profession concerned with the spine and how altered structure necessarily affects the delicate nervous system that travels through it.

Chiropractic - Structure affects Function Vertebral Subluxation

Every scientist, architect, and engineer understands that structure always affects function.

You cannot remove a weight bearing beam from a building or bridge without negatively affecting its strength and function. The same is true regarding our spines. Our spinal column is designed perfectly to allow for optimum function. It protects the vital nervous system and is curved perfectly to allow the nervous system to travel through the spinal column unimpeded.

Change the structure and you have now altered the course the spinal cord must travel and worse, placed major stress upon it as well.

Chiropractic is based upon simple scientific principles that have dramatic consequences when violated. When misalignment of the vertebral column occurs and causes nervous system stress, or dysfunction, the result is suboptimal function which results in suboptimal health and well-being.

This misalignment is known as a Vertebral Subluxation.

Chiropractic rediscovered this age old principle over 100 years ago and has been helping restore health in the sick and help the healthy stay well all those years.

A Healthy Spine Equals a Healthy Life

So why does everyone believe chiropractic is about neck and back pain?

Because we’ve told them that.

Chiropractors discovered early in the profession’s history that it was much easier to communicate the value of chiropractic in terms of what people could easily relate to. It made sense to many and still does today that altered alignment of a vertebra would cause spinal pain. It was an easy sell and many still continue to do it today.

Insurance reimbursement for spine related pain sealed the deal.

However, even though many chiropractors believe we should hang our hats on the billion dollar low back pain industry, a large percentage teach that chiropractic has a much wider effect on human health and function and have an ethical and moral obligation to ensure that it is never relegated to that minimized position.

How could I, after seeing what I have seen and knowing what I know about health, structure and function, allow this service to be hidden from the public who desperately deserve the entire benefits it offers?

If you knew chiropractic could help you and your family experience a better quality of life and health, would you pursue it?

It seems like a silly question but in my experience as a chiropractor over the last 10 years, I can tell you that people make choices based upon a wide array of factors that lie outside the realm of pure logic. Even when people understand that chiropractic helps their bodies have less neurological stress which equals a better quality of life, many still don’t make the choice to receive regular care.

It comes down to what they value and often times people don’t truly value their health and lives. A good example of this is a chronic smoker or someone that constantly eats in excess. They obviously understand it is detrimental to their health and longevity, yet continue anyway.

They may stop smoking or limit their intake of food once a serious condition develops but often times pick up where they left off once the condition is “under control.”

Many people utilize chiropractic the same way. They may seek care when a condition has developed after months or years of chronic neurological stress caused by vertebral subluxation to only discontinue care once they are “feeling” better. Using chiropractic in this manner is like eating oranges to address scurvy and then reverting to a diet without any vitamin C once you are “better.”

Maintaining the health, structure and function of your spine and nervous system is a healthy thing to do. You don’t just do it once or when you have a problem. Like the dentist, you go to the chiropractor on a regular basis to maintain good health and function.

Chiropractic checkup is like brushing your teeth

If you’ve never been to a chiropractor, I highly recommend you get checked soon to evaluate the health of your spine and nervous system. If it’s been a while since your last visit or you only utilized chiropractic for an acute condition in the past, reevaluate what it is you want for your health and life and consider adding regular checkups to your list of healthy things to do.

If you would like a referral to a chiropractor who is focused on the correction of nervous system stress caused by vertebral subluxation, send me a message and I will find someone for you or your family member.

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Dr. Tullius speaks regularly on chiropractic and other health and well-being topics. If you would like to book Dr. Tullius for a presentation to your organization, call (619) 281-1234 or email us today at info@goodvibrationschiro.com.

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What is Vertebral Subluxation?

Dr. Steve Tullius chiropractic is…, Vertebral Subluxation, What is Chiropractic?

What is Vertebral Subluxation?

Vertebral subluxation is the reason chiropractic exists.

Over 100 years ago it was discovered that misalignment of a vertebra can cause significant nervous system interference, negatively impacting your health, function and well-being.

Vertebral Subluxation causes nervous system interference.

While we rarely think about our nervous systems, the reality is that they impact every aspect of our health and lives.

Today chiropractors continue to refine and develop advanced methods of detecting and correcting this common physical manifestation.

While you may be considering or currently seeking care in this office to address some condition in your life, you need to know that subluxation often causes dysfunction within our bodies that we are not aware of. It is this form of interference to the expression of life and health that is most dangerous because it represents the loss of function, health, well-being and most importantly, potential, that could have been.

This is why I get checked and check my family on a weekly basis. How often you and your family get checked and how long you benefit from chiropractic is dependent upon how long the nervous system dysfunction has been present and how long you wish for that system to be functioning optimally, free of vertebral subluxation.

This is why many people, once they understand the true benefit and value of chiropractic choose to get checked throughout their lifetimes. In this way, chiropractic care is a healthy habit. Just as brushing your teeth, exercising, and eating in a healthy manner is a good idea for optimal health and function.

Getting checked for the presence of vertebral subluxation is a good idea because it just makes sense. A healthy nervous system is the foundation for a healthy life.

We envision a life free of vertebral subluxation for you and your family. A life of full potential expressed through a nerve system that is functioning optimally for you.

Chiropractic is about expression of life

Dr. Steve Tullius What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is about the expression of life.

An odd statement to many people that have only a basic understanding of chiropractic or those who believe it is simply about relieving back and neck pain.

While it is certainly very effective in relieving those conditions, here’s why others utilize chiropractic to get the most out of life.

Quite simipy, chiropractic is about detecting nerve interfence or dysfunction at the spinal level. Our nerve systems control every aspect of our lives, from the beating of our hearts to the interpretation of sight and sound.

When our nervous systems are operating optimally, without stress or irritation, our bodies are free to express themselves to the best of our individual abilities.

In a nutshell, a better spine and nerve system equals a better quality of life. The choice is always yours. How long you benefit from care and to what degree is dependant upon your wants and needs.

Millions of people choose chiropractic care for better expression of life. We think you will too.