The Vertebral Subluxation Complex (VSC)

There are 5 components to the VSC

  1. Joint Dysfunction

  2. Nerve Dysfunction

  3. Muscle Dysfunction

  4. Soft Tissue Dysfunction

  5. Patholphysiology

Joint Dysfunction

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.

Nerve Dysfunction

This starts as a silent phenomenon with compressing a nerve. This decreases the signal that nerves use to allow communication widespread in the body.

Muscle Dysfunction

Because the nerves are no longer sending appropriate signals, this power is being choked off to 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 where it stems from.

Soft Tissue Dysfunction

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.

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.