Expert: Gerald Anzalone, D.C. - 9/13/2011

Question
Hi.

I was wondering if you can feel sublaxations that occur in any joint in the body? Is it painful? Or do they occur without you even noticing it?

Thank you

Answer
Nick,

Thank you for your question.

The following scholarly papers address the question you posed:

The subluxation construct has been a divisive term in the chiropractic profession. There is a paucity of evidence to document the subluxation. Some authors have questioned the propriety of continuing to use the term. (The prevalence of the term subluxation in North American English-Language Doctor of chiropractic programs. Mirtz T, Perle S. Chiropractic and Manual Therapies. http://chiromt.com/content/19/1/14).


Chiropractors claim to locate, analyze and diagnose a putative spinal lesion known as subluxation and apply the mode of spinal manipulation (adjustment) for the correction of this lesion. There is a significant lack of evidence to fulfill the basic criteria of causation. This lack of crucial supportive epidemiologic evidence prohibits the accurate promulgation of the chiropractic subluxation. (An epidemiological examination of the subluxation construct using Hill's criteria of causation. Mirtz T, Morgan L, Wyatt L, Greene L. Chiropractic and Manual Therapies. http://chiromt.com/content/17/1/13).

Subluxation syndrome is a legitimate, potentially testable, theoretical construct for which there is little experimental evidence. Acceptable as hypothesis, the widespread assertion of the clinical meaningfulness of this notion brings ridicule from the scientific and health care communities and confusion within the chiropractic profession. We believe that an evidence-orientation among chiropractors requires that we distinguish between subluxation dogma vs. subluxation as the potential focus of clinical research. We lament efforts to generate unity within the profession through consensus statements concerning subluxation dogma, and believe that cultural authority will continue to elude us so long as we assert dogma as though it were validated clinical theory. (Subluxation: dogma or science? Keating J, Charlton K, Grod J, Perle S, Sikorski D, Winterstein J. Chiropractic and Manual Therapies. http://chiromt.com/content/13/1/17).

Musculoskeletal-based, evidence-based chiropractors treat joint and muscular dysfunction causing symptoms such as pain, numbness/tingling, and impaired function. There is no scholarly or scientific evidence to suggest that the treatment of non-symptomatic individuals is of any health benefit. (Maintenance care in chiropractic – what do we know? Leboeuf-Yde C, Hestbæk L. Chiropractic and Manual Therapies. http://chiromt.com/content/16/1/3).

The World Federation of Chiropractic defines chiropractic this way:

"A health profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, and the effects of these disorders on the function of the nervous system and general health. There is an emphasis on manual treatments including spinal adjustment and other joint and soft-tissue manipulation" (http://www.wfc.org/website/WFC/website.nsf/WebPage/IdentityConsultation).

This definition is consistent with the aim of chiropractors who seek to elevate the chiropractic profession to where the Doctor of Chiropractic serves a vital role within the mainstream health delivery system as a non-surgical primary spine care provider dedicated to clinical excellence, intellectual honesty, professional integrity, ethical practice and the delivery of patient-centered, patient-safe, evidence-influenced care and best practice (http://westhartfordgroup.com/AboutUs.html).

I hope that this helps to answer your question.