Sports Management: Basic Spinal Subluxation Considerations
Sports Management:
Basic Spinal Subluxation Considerations
We would all like to thank Dr. Richard C. Schafer, DC, PhD, FICC for his lifetime commitment to the profession. In the future we will continue to add materials from RC’s copyrighted books for your use.
This is Chapter 19 from RC’s best-selling book:
“Chiropractic Management of Sports and Recreational Injuries”
Second Edition ~ Wiliams & Wilkins
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Chapter 19: Basic Spinal Subluxation Considerations
The concept that an “off centered” vertebral or pelvic segment parallels a unique effect upon the neuromuscular bed which may be the cause of, aggravation of, or “triggering” of certain syndromes is a major contribution to the field of functional pathology and clinical biology by the chiropractic profession.
This section discusses the basic biomechanics and effects of vertebral subluxations as related to the management of sports-related and recreational injuries.
Spinal Biomechanics
While the erect spinal column is a concern in static postural equilibrium, it is never actually in a static state in life. It is alternately changing from a state of “quiet dynamics” in the static postural attitude to a state of “active dynamics” in movement. These kinetic aspects of normal spinal biomechanics are an important consideration since the totality of spinal function is the sum of its individual component parts.
The Vertebral Motor Unit
An intervertebral motor unit consists of two vertebrae and their contiguous structures forming a set of articulations at one intervertebral level. Thus, what is called a vertebral “subluxation” in chiropractic is the alteration of the normal dynamics, anatomical or physiological relationships of contiguous articular structures. The components of the spinal column (the vertebral motor units) confer a quality and quantity of motoricity to the relationship of two vertebrae. They are firmly interconnected by the intervertebral disc and restraining ligaments, which are activated by muscles which respond to both sensory and motor stimulation. (more…)