Subluxation

Lore & Background

In medicine, joint subluxations occur when a connecting bone is partially out of the joint, often returning to normal without professional help. Examples include nursemaid's elbow, shoulder subluxations, and spinal subluxations caused by fractures, spondylolisthesis, or trauma. Spinal subluxations can impinge on nerve roots, causing symptoms in affected areas. In ophthalmology, subluxation of the lens (ectopia lentis) is associated with ocular trauma or systemic disorders like Marfan syndrome and Ehlers–Danlos syndrome. Dental subluxation involves increased tooth mobility without displacement and is treated conservatively with mouthwash and diet changes.

Reader's Guide

The term subluxation has distinct meanings across fields. In medicine and dentistry, it describes a verifiable structural displacement with clear diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols. In chiropractic, the concept of 'vertebral subluxation' is pseudoscientific, lacking scientific evidence for its existence or health effects. Mainstream medicine and some mixer chiropractors dispute chiropractic claims, noting that such subluxations may not involve significant displacement, pain, or dysfunction. The controversy highlights the divide between evidence-based medicine and unproven theories, making subluxation a term that requires careful contextual understanding.

Did You Know?

• A subluxation is an incomplete or partial dislocation, unlike a luxation which is a complete separation.
• Nursemaid's elbow is a common joint subluxation involving the head of the radius.
• Dental subluxation is a non-urgency condition usually treated with mouthwash and a soft diet.
• There is no scientific evidence for the existence of chiropractic vertebral subluxations.