When vertebrae shift out of alignment, they interfere with your body's most vital communication system — the nervous system. Learn how chiropractic care restores that connection.
The brain stem and spinal cord are the primary pathways for nerve impulses traveling to and from the brain. The spinal vertebrae are designed to protect these vital pathways. When one or more vertebrae shift out of their normal alignment, they create pressure on the surrounding nerves — this is called a subluxation.
A subluxation disrupts the flow of nerve signals between your brain and body. Depending on which nerves are affected, this interference can manifest as pain, stiffness, organ dysfunction, or a reduced quality of life — often without any obvious warning signs in the early stages.
Dr. Bryan Coombs uses the precise Gonstead technique to detect and correct subluxations, restoring proper nerve function and allowing your body to heal naturally from the inside out.
Pressure on a misaligned vertebra disrupts nerve signals throughout the body
The nervous system controls every organ and system in your body. When subluxations interfere with nerve signals, the effects can appear in unexpected places.
Compressed nerves cannot transmit signals efficiently. This leads to pain, numbness, tingling, and decreased reaction time — affecting your entire body's coordination and function.
Spinal misalignment causes uneven muscle tension, joint degeneration, and abnormal posture. Over time, this accelerates wear on discs, joints, and surrounding tissues.
Nerves exiting the mid-back control digestive organs. Subluxations in the thoracic spine can contribute to acid reflux, bloating, irritable bowel, and poor nutrient absorption.
Upper thoracic subluxations can affect the nerves that regulate breathing, potentially contributing to shallow breathing, reduced lung capacity, and increased respiratory tension.
Research suggests chiropractic adjustments positively influence immune response. A properly aligned spine supports optimal communication between the brain and immune system cells.
Cervical subluxations can restrict blood flow and nerve signals to the brain, contributing to brain fog, difficulty concentrating, headaches, and disrupted sleep patterns.
Subluxations develop from three primary categories of stress — often called the "Three T's" in chiropractic: Trauma, Toxins, and Thoughts.
Auto accidents, sports injuries, falls, poor posture, repetitive motions, heavy lifting, and even the birth process can shift vertebrae out of alignment. Physical stressors are the most recognizable cause of subluxation.
Poor diet, processed foods, alcohol, tobacco, environmental toxins, and prescription drug side effects can weaken muscles and connective tissue that support spinal alignment — making subluxations more likely to occur and harder to heal.
Chronic stress and anxiety cause persistent muscle tension, particularly in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. This ongoing muscular tension can gradually pull vertebrae out of proper alignment, creating stress-related subluxations.
The Gonstead technique follows a precise, step-by-step protocol to detect, analyze, and specifically correct each subluxation — targeting only what needs to be fixed.
Using the 5 Gonstead criteria — visualization, instrumentation, palpation, motion testing, and X-ray — Dr. Coombs precisely locates subluxated vertebrae.
X-rays and clinical findings are reviewed to determine the exact direction and degree of misalignment — creating a precise "blueprint" for the correction.
A specific, controlled force is applied only to the identified vertebra — moving it back toward proper alignment with precision that general adjustments cannot match.
Nerve pressure is relieved as the vertebra returns to its proper position, restoring normal communication between the brain and the body's organs and tissues.
With nerve interference removed, the body's innate healing intelligence can function at full capacity — resolving inflammation, rebuilding tissue, and restoring health.
Subluxation is often painless in its early stages. Many patients are unaware they have spinal misalignments until significant nerve damage or degeneration has already occurred. Just as you schedule regular dental checkups to prevent tooth decay before pain appears, regular spinal checkups with Dr. Coombs allow the early detection and correction of subluxations — before they cause lasting problems.
Regular chiropractic care is not just for people in pain. It is a proactive health strategy that keeps your nervous system functioning at its best — supporting your energy, immunity, sleep, and overall quality of life.
Schedule Your Spinal Checkup →The best time to correct a subluxation is before it causes serious damage. Dr. Coombs is ready to assess your spine and create a personalized correction plan. Walk-ins and emergencies always welcome.
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