What Causes Vertebral Subluxation?

When stress outweighs the body’s ability to adapt to it, vertebral subluxation can develop.

Chiropractors have categorized stress into three main types that can negatively impact your body and lead to vertebral subluxation:

Physical Stress

Physical stress is defined as external invasive forces that outweigh your body’s ability to stay in balance. These can be:

• Major accidents or trauma

• Small repetitive motions over time that exceed your body’s adaptive capacity

Chemical Stress

Chemical stress is caused by substances—internal or external—that disrupt your body’s chemical balance. For example:

• Hormonal imbalances (adrenaline, cortisol, melatonin)

• Ingested substances that alter internal equilibrium

Disruption to body chemistry can affect both the neurological and musculoskeletal systems.

Emotional Stress

Emotional stress includes internal emotional tension or mental strain. These internal stressors can:

• Trigger chemical imbalances

• Produce physical responses

• Influence the body’s ability to maintain balance

It’s often reported that emotional stress is the most common and influential cause of vertebral subluxation due to the fast-paced world we live in.

What Can You Do About It?

Vertebral subluxation can occur at any age, regardless of whether symptoms are present. Stress—whether physical, chemical, or emotional—can silently affect your body’s function and quality of life.

Regular chiropractic care is a proactive way to:

• Reduce the likelihood of vertebral subluxation

• Boost your body’s resilience to stress

• Support your overall well-being and function from the inside out