Every function in your body is controlled by your nervous system — and your spine is its protector
Most people think of the spine as structural — the thing that holds you upright. But its most important job is protecting the Central Nervous System: the brain and spinal cord through which every signal in your body travels.
Brain impulses travel down the spinal cord and branch out through 31 pairs of spinal nerves, reaching every muscle, organ, and tissue in your body. When a vertebra shifts out of its normal position — a condition called vertebral subluxation — it can compress or irritate those nerves, disrupting the signals your body depends on to function and heal.
Heart rate, digestion, immune response, hormone regulation, pain processing — none of it happens without signals traveling through your nervous system. Interference anywhere along that pathway has downstream effects throughout the body.
Research shows that even slight pressure on a spinal nerve — as little as the weight of a dime — can reduce its function by up to 60%. The spine doesn't have to be "out" far for the effects to be significant. That's why early detection matters.
The top two vertebrae (C1 and C2) protect the base of your brain — the brainstem. Subluxation here affects all organ function throughout the body. The natural forward curve of the cervical spine (the "arc of life") is essential for brain-to-body communication.
Chiropractic adjustments correct subluxations — returning vertebrae to their normal position and restoring optimal nerve function. The goal isn't symptom relief. It's removing interference so the body can do what it's designed to do: heal and function at its best.
Click any vertebra to see which areas of your body it controls — and the health issues commonly associated with subluxation at that level. The information below is based on decades of clinical and anatomical research.
Click any vertebra on the diagram
to explore its nerve connections
26 vertebrae — all interactive
C1 — Atlas
Areas controlled & regulated
Potential effects when subluxated
This is a general description of nerve supply areas. Potential effects listed are issues commonly associated with malfunction of the related nerve pathways. Questions? Talk to Dr. Steve.
A vertebral subluxation occurs when one or more bones of the spine move out of their normal position, creating pressure or irritation on spinal nerves. This interferes with the signals traveling over those nerves — disrupting how the body functions and heals.
Chiropractors recognize five interconnected components of vertebral subluxation complex:
Vertebrae out of position, not moving properly, or undergoing degeneration
Malfunction of the nerve — even slight pressure significantly impacts nerve signals
Muscles holding vertebrae in place are affected by — and affect — nerve function
Tendons, ligaments, and blood supply change at the subluxation site and in connected tissues
All components produce biochemical changes — slight to significant depending on affected areas
"The only healthy path is correction of subluxation and rehabilitation of the spine. Through chiropractic adjustments, the spine is moved back toward its normal position — restoring and optimizing your overall health."
— Dr. Steve Jarboe, Community Chiropractic
When subluxations go uncorrected, the spine undergoes a predictable process of degeneration over time. By looking at the degree of structural change, chiropractors can estimate how long subluxations have been present — and set realistic expectations for how long correction will take.
The most important thing to understand: more than 80% of people with Phase One Subluxation Degeneration have no pain. Pain is a poor indicator of spinal health. Most people don't know it's happening until it's been happening for years.
Phase One
0–20 years of subluxation
Loss or reversal of the normal spinal curve. Disc spaces begin to change shape. More than 80% of people at this phase have no pain — which is why so many don't know it's happening.
Correction time: 6–18 months
Phase Two
20–40 years of subluxation
Calcium changes begin — spurs and early arthritis. Disc spaces noticeably narrower. Range of motion starts to reduce. Some patients begin to feel stiff or achy.
Correction time: 1.5–2.5 years
Phase Three
40–65 years of subluxation
Abundant calcium changes, severely narrowed discs, obvious vertebral deformity. Significant motion restriction. Symptoms likely present. Bone spurs visible on x-ray.
Correction time: 2.5–3.5 years
Phase Four
65+ years of subluxation
Vertebrae may appear fused. Massive calcium changes. Severe restriction. Full reconstruction may not be possible — but care is directed toward reducing subluxation and improving quality of life.
Goal: quality of life improvement
The earlier, the better. Every person degenerates at a different rate. The further along a spine has progressed, the more time and effort correction requires. The best time to start chiropractic care is before symptoms appear — the second best time is now.
The only way to know if you have a subluxation is a spinal examination. Book a new patient appointment — or call us with any questions.