What Is a Subluxation? Chiropractic Terms in Plain English

If you have looked into chiropractic care, you have probably run into the word subluxation. Some websites use it to explain almost every health problem. Others say it does not mean anything at all. No wonder people are confused.

Here is a plain explanation of what the word means, why it means different things to different people, and what a chiropractor is actually looking for when they assess your back or neck.

The medical meaning

In general medicine, a subluxation is a partial dislocation. The two surfaces of a joint have moved partly out of their normal position but are still touching, unlike a full dislocation, where they separate completely. This kind of subluxation is usually caused by an injury, it can often be seen on an X-ray, and it is a medical problem that needs a doctor.

If you have had a significant injury and something looks or feels out of place, that is a reason to get medical care first, not to book a chiropractor.

The chiropractic meaning

Chiropractic has used the same word in a different way since the profession began over a century ago. In chiropractic writing, a subluxation usually describes a joint in the spine that is not moving the way it should. It might be stiff, restricted or irritated, with tight muscles around it, but it is not partly dislocated.

Because the same word means two different things, a lot of chiropractors today prefer clearer terms like joint restriction, joint dysfunction or reduced mobility. That is the language we use with patients, because it describes what we actually find.

Be careful with big claims

Some older chiropractic ideas tied subluxations to all kinds of health problems far beyond the back and neck. Those broad claims are not supported by good research, and we do not make them.

What chiropractic care is commonly used for is much more down to earth: everyday mechanical problems with the muscles, joints and nerves, like back pain, neck pain, stiffness and some kinds of headaches. If anyone tells you that adjustments will cure an unrelated illness, or that you need a long prepaid package to fix your subluxations, it is fair to ask questions. Our guide on how to choose a chiropractor lists other things to watch for.

What a chiropractor actually checks for

Whatever word gets used, a good assessment is about finding out what is driving your pain. At your first visit, Dr. Ahmed Fayad will:

• Ask how and when the problem started, what makes it better or worse, and about your general health.
• Watch how you move, and check where your spine and joints are stiff or restricted.
• Check the muscles around the problem area for tightness and tenderness.
• Test your nerves, reflexes and strength, especially if pain travels into an arm or leg.
• Screen for warning signs that point to something that needs a medical doctor or imaging instead.

Then he explains what he found in plain words, what he thinks will help, and roughly how long it might take. If chiropractic is not the right fit, he will tell you. You can read more about a first visit in what a chiropractor does.

How restricted joints are treated

If the assessment finds joints in your spine that are stiff and not moving well, treatment aims to restore that movement and ease the muscles guarding them. Depending on what suits you, that can include:

• Spinal adjustments, a quick, controlled movement to a stiff joint. A pop sometimes happens, which is just a harmless release of gas in the joint fluid.
• The Activator Method, a small handheld instrument that gives a light, precise impulse with no twisting, for people who prefer a gentle approach.
• Drop Technique and Flexion/Distraction, slower table based techniques often used for disc and nerve related pain.
• Soft tissue work, and registered massage therapy if tight muscles are a big part of the problem.
• Simple exercises and changes to how you sit, sleep and lift, so the problem is less likely to come back.

Results vary from person to person, and nobody can promise a specific outcome. You should get a realistic estimate after your assessment, and your visits should get less frequent as you improve.

Can you see a subluxation on an X-ray?

A medical subluxation, the partial dislocation kind, can often be seen on imaging. The chiropractic kind, a joint that is not moving well, usually cannot be seen on a standard X-ray, because it is about how a joint moves, not just where it sits. That is why a hands on assessment of your movement matters. Imaging is useful when there are warning signs or a serious injury, and we will refer you for it when it is needed.

When to see a doctor instead

Get medical care first if your back or neck pain comes with loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, weakness that is getting worse, fever, unexplained weight loss, or pain after a serious fall or car accident. For less urgent questions, call Health Link at 811 to speak with a registered nurse anytime in Alberta.

Common questions

Is a subluxation the same as a pinched nerve? No. A pinched nerve is when a nerve is irritated or compressed, often by a disc or nearby tissue, and it can cause pain, tingling or numbness along that nerve. A stiff joint can be part of the picture, but they are not the same thing.

Can I fix a subluxation by cracking my own back? Twisting until you hear a pop may feel good for a moment, but it does not target the stiff joint and it tends to move the parts that are already loose. If you feel the urge to crack your back often, that is a sign something is worth getting assessed.

Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor? No. In Alberta you can book with a chiropractor directly.

The bottom line

In medicine, a subluxation is a partial dislocation. In chiropractic, the word is usually used for a spinal joint that is not moving well. What matters most is not the label but a careful assessment, a clear explanation, and honest advice about what will help. If your back or neck has been stiff and sore, book an assessment at our North Edmonton chiropractic clinic, 15152 127 St NW. No referral is needed, and we direct bill most insurance plans.