A groundbreaking new paper, "Assessment of Somatic and Autonomic Nervous System Changes Associated with Vertebral Subluxation: A Review and Commentary," authored by Dr. Christopher Kent, DC, JD, has been published in the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research (Volume 2024, Pages 86-97).  This comprehensive review explores how vertebral subluxations—misalignments in the spine—can profoundly impact both the somatic and autonomic nervous systems, influencing everything from muscle activity to the function of organs, glands, and blood vessels.

Vertebral subluxations interfere with normal nerve function, creating disruptions in both the somatic nervous system, which controls voluntary muscle activity, and the autonomic nervous system, responsible for regulating involuntary bodily functions like heart rate and digestion. Dr. Kent’s review discusses how these subluxations can lead to a wide range of health issues, including muscle tension, impaired movement, and problems with autonomic functions such as blood pressure regulation and immune response.

The paper presents an operational model describing four key neurobiological mechanisms associated with vertebral subluxation: dysafferentation (distorted sensory input), dyskinesia (movement impairment), dysponesis (abnormal muscle activity), and dysautonomia (autonomic dysfunction). These mechanisms help explain how subluxations disrupt the body’s ability to function properly.

A critical challenge in chiropractic care is the objective measurement of these neurological disruptions. Dr. Kent provides a primer on using surface electromyography (sEMG) to measure muscle activity changes linked to vertebral subluxations. The paper also explores the clinical applications of paraspinal skin temperature measurements and heart rate variability (HRV) to assess changes in autonomic nervous system function. These tools offer chiropractors a way to monitor both somatic and autonomic changes and the impact of spinal adjustments on nervous system health.

The study highlights the importance of assessing nervous system changes caused by vertebral subluxations and suggests that chiropractic care can play a key role in restoring proper nervous system function. By addressing subluxations, chiropractic adjustments help to improve nerve supply and function, which in turn enhances muscle coordination, balance, and overall health.

While this study provides valuable insights into the relationship between vertebral subluxations and nervous system function, Dr. Kent emphasizes the need for further research to deepen our understanding of the clinical applications of these findings. This review is a significant step forward in advancing chiropractic care and its role in improving both somatic and autonomic health.

For more information, please refer to the full article: “Assessment of Somatic and Autonomic Nervous System Changes Associated with Vertebral Subluxation: A Review and Commentary,” published in the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research, Volume 2024.

Matthew McCoy, DC, MPH
Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research
Website: [www.vertebralsubluxationresearch.com]
Email: drmatthewmccoy@gmail.com
Phone: 404.247.2550