Why “Is my spine out?” is quite an easy question to answer

I get asked “Is my spine out?” fairly frequently. There is a good reason for this a theory invented by Chiropractors and still used by some of them would have us believe that all ill health, but in particular, back pain is caused by the joints of the spine being out of line.  Unfortunately there are a few problems with this theory.

The problems with the “Is my spine out?” theory:

This theory relies on there being a vertebra stuck out of position for an ongoing period which then causes symptoms.  Vertebrae are mobile, that is how we move.  If you look over your left shoulder and then over your right all of the joints from just below your skull to below your shoulder blades have to rotate fully one way and then the other so if they did get stuck in one position this would unstick them.

In spite of having insanely sensitive MRI scanners we haven’t ever seen a joint out of alignment.

As shown on the subluxated picture the subluxation is caused by tight muscles and disc inflammation. This is the wrong way round a tight muscle and a prolapsed disc (not swollen but we’ll ignore that) can be painful and they will stop a joint moving fully but they would not hold a joint out of alignment at rest.

Scoliosis and how it disproves the “Is my spine out?” theory

Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine which develops during the growth spurts of puberty.  It is one of the few times where spinal joints are held rotated one relative to the vertebrae above and below.  Interestingly people who have this condition do not have pain more often than people with a normal, straight spine.  If the subluxation theory were correct these people would be wracked with pain but they are not.

For evidenced based spinal treatment how do we book in with Pure Physio Albany?

To book expert physio with Pure Physio click here. Or to sort an appointment which suits you give us a call on 09 4481277 .

More reading on the subject of joint subluxations can be found here