The Vertebral Subluxation Complex (VSC)
There are 5 components to the VSC
Joint Dysfunction
Nerve Dysfunction
Muscle Dysfunction
Soft Tissue Dysfunction
Pathophysiology
Joint dysfunction is the catalyst for the other phenomena in the VSC. The joint in question no longer is moving as independently as it should. A vertebra is “fixed” on another. Where we see restriction in ranges of motion at the fixed level, we then get compensation with extra mobile joints above and below the fixation.
Joint Dysfunction
2. Nerve Dysfunction
This starts as a silent phenomenon with compressing a nerve. Nerve compression decreases the signal that nerves use to allow precise communication widespread in the body.
3. Muscle Dysfunction
Because the nerves are no longer sending appropriate signals, this power is being choked off to the organ it needs to go to. This includes muscle tissue. If you have every heard someone say “your muscle isn’t firing properly” this is what they mean.
Improper joint biomechanics leads to edema, swelling, and inflammation to the surrounding tissues. Swelling places further compression on the nerve root further slowing nerve conduction velocity. The presence of inflammation activates cell types called cytokines that make the degenerative changes we see in osteoarthritis.
4. Soft Tissue Dysfunction
5. Pathophysiology
Having the body in a chronic state of dis-ease (without ease), the nerves can’t effectively tell the body what to do — especially the immune system. And thus, disease can manifest.