Vertebral Subluxation Highly Prevalent in Patients Seeking Chiropractic Care

On February 15, 2024, the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research published the results of a study showing that vertebral subluxations were commonly found in patients who were seeking chiropractic care for a variety of health issues. This study may be the first large scale study looking at how common subluxations are found by chiropractors.

The study begins by pointing out that “Vertebral subluxation (VS) is a clinical entity defined as a misalignment of the spine affecting biomechanical and neurological function. The identification and correction of VS is the primary focus of the chiropractic profession.” The Association of Chiropractic Colleges has defined subluxation as “…a complex of functional and/or structural and/or pathological articular changes that compromise neural integrity and may influence organ system function and general health.”

This study reviewed the available evidence to see just how common subluxations were determined to be present in patients seeking chiropractic care. This is important as chiropractors have seen subluxation as a major factor affecting the health and wellbeing of the population. The study authors commented, “The primary premise of the chiropractic profession is that the body is a self-maintaining, self-healing organism and that reducing and/or correcting VS allows the nervous system to function better and allows the fullest expression of life.”

The statistical results of this study showed that of the sample size of 1851 chiropractic patients, the average patient age was just slightly over 43 years. Children under the age of 18 were excluded from the study. Additionally, women were more commonly chiropractic patients, making up 64.6% of the total number. The study showed that people seeking chiropractic care were looking for help with a variety of health issues including things such as spinal or extremity pain, numbness, or tingling; headaches; ear, nose, and throat-related issues, visceral issues. mental health concerns, neurocognitive issues, and concerns about their general health.

The study showed that of all the patients seeking chiropractic care in this study, 78.55% of them were determined to have subluxations. The percentage of men with subluxations was found to be slightly higher than found in women. Subluxation findings were higher in patients ages 18 to 30, with 86.33% having subluxations, while those over the age of 70 years had a rate of subluxation at 73.88%.

In their conclusion, the study authors summed up this study and the findings by saying, “The results of this study suggest a high rate of prevalence of VS in a sample of individuals who sought chiropractic care. Concerns about general health and wellness were represented in the sample and suggest chiropractic may serve a primary prevention function in the absence of disease or injury.”