Subluxation

Phillip Ebrall, BAppSc (Chiropr), PhD

This paper describes the first known description of the ‘idea of subluxation’ as a small dysfunction in the spine which affected a person’s health and function. The authoritative source document is the Edwin Smith Manuscript, introduced to the world in the 1920s. This paper reports this interpretation of Egyptian medical writings dating from 1,600 BC and earlier, in which small spinal dysfunctions were noted and clinically managed.

Indexing Terms:   Subluxation, Edwin Smith, chiropractic, Egyptian medical writings

From the FULL TEXT Article:

Introduction

Figure 1

Clues to the antiquity of the idea that DD Palmer codified as ‘subluxated vertebrae modulating tone’ came as early as 1905 [1] when he referred to ‘Chinese and Egyptian history … system of healing … Manual Therapeutics.’ (Figure 1)

Palmer alluded to this history [2] in his 1906 text co-written with his son, BJ Palmer but was clear in his 1910 tome, on p. 12, [3] where he wrote:

‘Dr. Atkinson [4–6] has frequently informed me that the replacing of displaced vertebrae for the relief of human ills had been known and practiced by the ancient Egyptians for at least 3000 years.’

and on p. 13:

‘many of the methods employed in ancient Greece and older Egypt are being restored’

In 1914 Palmer wrote: [7, p. 8]

‘The principles which form chiropractic science have always existed; and are now being revealed to the world by D. D. Palmer’

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EVOLUTION OF THE SUBLUXATION THEORY Section

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Obtaining an ultimate definition of this ‘something’ we have been addressing, successfully, for over 125 years is elusive, yet this allows flexibility when defining it within different contexts. This provides space for chiropractors to do this (both consciously and subconsciously) every day in practice, and over time to use their growing experience to add complexity and subtlety to their conceptual framework, and their application of their science and art. Millions of patients over the years would attest to the value in that.

Indexing Terms:   chiropractic; subluxation; definition; lexicon; rhetoric

From the FULL TEXT Article:

      We all address something

For well over a century, chiropractors have successfully been addressing ‘something’, primarily within the spine and its adjacent structures. They observed a phenomenon and devised ways to impact upon it. This resulted in health outcomes significant enough to grow a profession, and an associated body of literature evidence.

      Words were chosen

It was chosen early on to use the term subluxation, which is understandable as it often feels to palpation that some sort of misplacement is involved. Right from the very start, it was more than a ‘bone out of place’. Neurological involvement was part of the concept from the beginning, endeavouring to explain the body-wide effects that were observed.

      Concepts were developed

Over the years, conceptual frameworks for the ‘something’ were developed. This conceptual development was significantly clinician-driven and therefore, one would imagine, informed and motivated by patient outcomes; to this day our great strength. With time, these frameworks gained considerable complexity, and diversity. Again, this is understandable, as human beings are both complex and diverse. For example, the SOT group had a focus on dural attachments, CSF flow, and their relationship to the functioning of the sacrum and cranium; the various upper cervical techniques zeroed-in on adjusting C0, C1 and C2; Logan had more of a base-up approach, as did Gonstead, etc.

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SUBLUXATION Section

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