D.D. Palmer stated in 1910 that the chiropractic subluxation complex is caused by trauma, toxins, and autosuggestion. Neurologically speaking, we now know that this leads to increased nociceptive stimulation. Nociceptive signals enter the spinal cord via the dorsal horn. These nociceptors are typically A-delta and C fibers. As these fibers enter the dorsal horn, they can cross to the anterolateral side and ascend via the spinothalamic, and the spinoreticular tracts to the thalamus. The fibers then stimulate the parietal cortex, which helps with localization of pain, they also stimulate the temporal lobe, which has to do with the memory of pain; it stimulates the limbic system, which has to do with the emotional aspect of pain.
The dorsal horn has a feedback loop that can be affected via sympathetic vasoconstriction and muscle spasm which stimulates again the nociceptive fibers and perpetuates the vertebral subluxation complex. The chiropractic adjustment (via stimulation of the A-beta fibers/joint mechanoreceptors and stimulation of the 1B fibers/golgi tendons) interrupts the crossing of the fibers to the anterolateral spinothalamic and spinoreticular tracts, both presynaptically and postsynaptically. Because "trauma and toxins" irritate A-delta and C fibers causing nociceptive irritation, we can understand why, neurologically, D.D. Palmer was far ahead of his time.
The "autosuggestions" component is critically important and must not be overlooked. In the text Psychological and Neural Mechanisms of Pain by Price, he states that electrical stimulation of brain structures, including the periaqueductal gray and nucleus raphis magnus, inhibits dorsal horn nociceptive neurons much more frequently than low threshold mechanoreceptive neurons. In short, this suggests that the descending inhibitory pathways are actually stronger for inhibiting nociceptive input than the mechanoreceptors, which can be stimulated via exercise, nutrition, or chiropractic adjustments. I certainly do not mean to belittle the importance of nutrition, exercise, or the chiropractic adjustment, however, I do not want us to overlook the psychological component of our patients' health. Chiropractors routinely get high marks for patient satisfaction; this is an important component to healing.
David Seaman, DC, DACBN, in his text Chiropractic and Pain Control gives excellent, detailed, yet understandable information about neurology, the vertebral subluxation complex, and the chiropractic adjustment. This text has tremendous information about why chiropractic is so important and successful.
A student recently asked me why I spent so much time on the vertebral subluxation complex at a chiropractic Motion Palpation Institute seminar. What came to my mind, when presented with this question, was the time I observed a knee surgery at a local hospital six years ago. The orthopedic surgeon and a surgical resident were going over their upcoming case; the lead surgeon said to the resident, "You can teach a monkey how to do surgery, but the important part is knowing when and why." I feel that the chiropractic adjustment is somewhat similar. You can teach a monkey how to adjust, but you need to know when to adjust, what is occurring when you adjust, why you should adjust, and when you should not adjust. We need to know about the subluxation complex because it's what we do.
Mark A. King, DC
Cincinnati, Ohio
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
It is estimated that 61% of patients with CTS avoid taking surgical options due to postoperative complications and costly surgical procedures. Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, addressing the condition from multiple angles. Recent studies also have unveiled a game-changing adjunct to chiropractic treatments for CTS: nerve flossing.
Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
