Because each tiny vertebra in the neck, mid back and lower back can move a few degrees, we can deeply bend, flex and twist our neck and back to accomplish a wide variety of of motions in our daily lives. However, injuries or growth abnormalities of the spine can produce misalignment of one or more spinal vertebrae. When vertebrae are displaced the chiropractor calls this a subluxation. Subluxations unlike tooth decay are out of sight and often out of mind. That is until you bend over to pick up a pencil, cough, sneeze, lift something heavy or wake up in the morning unable to turn your neck or move your lower back.
Spinal subluxations are important.
Vertebrae that are left out of place greatly stress and irritate spinal discs, joints and muscle tissue. Over time the stressed joints become arthritic and the discs deteriorate. As discs collapse and arthritis worsens spinal nerves become pinched. Spinal pain becomes more intense. Less spinal motion is possible.