Subluxation Associated with a Wide Variety of Spinal Problems According to MRI Review Study

The Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research published the results of a retrospective study on August 1, 2021, showing that vertebral subluxations are associated with a wide variety of spinal issues according to MRI studies. A retrospective study is when a large number of previous cases and studies of similar content are reviewed and published in one overview paper.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of abnormal findings associated with subluxations according to MRI studies. Many people do not understand that subluxations are actually a variety of spinal issues that have several components in common. One component is that the subluxated vertebrae is malpositioned. Another component is that there is some form of interference to the nervous system from this malposition.

In addition to these two factors, many other changes can be occurring to the vertebrae and surrounding tissue due to the subluxations. In many cases, these additional changes are called component parts. This study was designed to see the frequency and variety of changes associated with subluxations as confirmed by MRI studies.

In this study, 737 cases were referred for review of chiropractic patients who had also had MRI studies of their spines. The reports on these cases consisted of 325 cervical, 11 thoracic, 361 lumbar, and 40 extremity MRI reports.

The results showed that of the 325 neck (cervical spine) MRIs associated with subluxations, 91% showed spinal abnormalities. Only 28 of the 325 had no abnormalities observed. Included in the 91% were 174 cases of alterations of spinal curvatures. Additionally,113 (35%) showed disc degeneration with 21 (17%) showing boney growth called osteophytes.

Although the sample size of cases with MRI in the mid-back (thoracic) was much smaller, there was a lower but still significant prevalence of abnormalities present in this area of the spine as seen on MRI studies.

Cases involving MRI in the lower back (lumbar) showed that of the 361 case reports, 89% showed spinal abnormalities. Disc degeneration was the largest number of abnormalities seen the lumbar spine with 251 of the 361 showing this condition. Although a fair number showed curvature changes, the researchers pointed out that subjects in this study were lying down on their backs which would cause changes to spinal curvatures.

In the study conclusion the authors noted that "Degenerative and other changes in the spine may be associated with vertebral subluxations. Vertebral subluxations are changes in the position or motion of a vertebra, which result in the interference of nerve function." They also stated, "There was a high prevalence of abnormalities disclosed by MRI in this cohort. Clinically significant abnormalities may exist regardless of the presence or absence of pain."