 | Dr. Michael Esparza is the owner of Midtown Chiropractic Clinic, 1359 N. Market and Common Sense Chiropractic at 216 W. Main in Valley Center. A graduate of Cleveland Chiropractic College, he has been in the health care field for over 20 years, including 6 years in the military as a medic and 13 years as a paramedic on the K.C. fire department. He is a nationally certified Chiropractor and speaks Spanish, which he says is convenient for the Hispanic community. Contact Dr. Esparza at 316-269-2221, Wichita, 755-3333, Valley Center, or at drbonesesparza@hotmail.com. |
Health & Medicine
2003-11-01 09:16:00
What is VSC?
ANSWER: The vertebral subluxation complex (vsc) is defined as: A misalignment of one or more of the vertebrae in the spinal column, which causes alteration of nerve functions and interference to the transmission of nerve impulses resulting in a lessening of the body's ability to adapt and express its maximum health potential. Simply put, a vsc is a pinched nerve. Over the years, the term "pinched nerve" has developed into a catch-all phrase for neck and back pain. It is important to understand that this term in accurate in describing the actual mechanism that creates nerve impulse interference. You see, nerves are not really pinched, since that would imply that the nerve impulse is cut off completely. A more accurate description is that the nerves are compressed or compromised. Let’s review a little anatomy. Your nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord and nerves. It is what controls and coordinates all the functions of your entire body. The spinal cord is protected by a "tunnel" of small, interlocking bones called the spinal column. The individual bones of the spinal column are called vertebrae. Nerves branch off from the spinal cord through small openings between the vertebrae. When each vertebra is properly aligned, the nerve fiber passes through without a problem and nerve impulses can flow freely, racing to and from the brain at incredible speeds. When the vertebra are not properly aligned, the openings between them can narrow and put pressure on the nerves exiting at that level; hence the term "vertebral subluxation complex". These subluxations prevent the body from working at it's maximum ability, by interfering with the normal flow of messages along the nerve fibers. These messages traveling along the nerve fibers will now be distorted. If the correct message cannot pass to and from the brain, some part of the body will be adversely affected and can lead to pain and/or disease. Medical doctors refer to this as "nerve encroachment" or "neuro spinal compression". Doctors of chiropractic refer to this as "vertebral subluxation complex". Chiropractic is the only health care profession whose primary emphasis is on locating, understanding and correcting the vertebral subluxation complex. The spinal manipulation, properly administered by a licensed doctor of chiropractic is generally relied upon as the most effective treatment for the "vertebral subluxation complex". Don't let your bones get on your nerves!! Don't delay, seek chiropractic treatment today! More on this silent killer next month.
