The Subluxation Complex
- Dr. Joshua Beaudry
- Jul 15
- 2 min read
Most people think a subluxation is simply a bone out of place. But the truth is far more complex—and far more important.
According to Neurologically Based Chiropractic (NBC) principles, a subluxation is not just a structural issue—it’s a neurological dysfunction that leads to systemic health problems.
Let’s unpack what this really means for your body and your health.
What Is the Subluxation Complex?
The subluxation complex is an abnormal neurological pattern originating in the brain, not the spine. It reflects how the brain is misprocessing information due to stress, trauma, or dysfunction. This results in miscommunication between the brain and the body—and eventually, leads to disease.
“In summary, well over 90% of all sensory input affecting the brain from the body below the head travels through the spine.”—Journal of Neurophysiology (https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/jn.00354.2017)
So if your spine isn’t functioning properly, your brain’s interpretation of the world becomes distorted. This creates a feedback loop of dysfunction.
It All Starts With Perception
When your brain is in a stress pattern—often due to chronic emotional, physical, or chemical stress—it may:
Misfire motor commands
Misinterpret sensory input
Send out poor communication to muscles and organs
This misperception leads to:
Postural imbalances
Muscle tone abnormalities
Organ dysfunction
Hormonal and immune imbalance
It's not just pain—it’s your brain’s inaccurate view of reality. That’s the true root of the subluxation complex.
Fight-or-Flight: The Hidden Driver
The subluxation complex is essentially a chronic fight-or-flight state, where the brain is:
Stuck in brainstem overactivation (survival mode)
Frontal lobe deactivation (poor focus, emotional dysregulation)
Cerebellar dysfunction (coordination, balance, and sensory feedback issues)
When these areas are impaired, people often experience:
Anxiety and depression
Sleep disturbances
ADD/ADHD-like symptoms
Chronic pain
Sensory sensitivity or overload
Vagal nerve dysfunction (affecting digestion, heart rate, immune issues)
The Vagus Nerve Connection
The vagus nerve plays a central role in regulating the organs. Chronic subluxation and neurological stress can fatigue the vagus nerve, leading to:
Digestive issues (bloating, constipation, acid reflux)
Reproductive dysfunction
Blood pressure problems
Autoimmune symptoms
If your vagus nerve isn’t firing correctly, your body isn’t healing correctly.
Subluxation Is a Brain Problem—Not Just a Spine Problem
In summary:
A subluxation is not just a bone out of place
It’s a brain-based perceptual error that causes body-wide dysfunction
When the brain cannot accurately perceive the environment, it will output dysfunctional signals, leading to disease
At Life Springs Family Chiropractic, we correct subluxations at the root level—by restoring proper brain-body communication using neurologically based chiropractic adjustments, brain-based rehab, and vagus nerve support.
What We Do In Our Office:
Approach subluxations from the true definition according to NBC
Identify how your brain misperception creates structural, emotional, and organ dysfunction
Use objective testing to find and correct subluxations at its root
Share and connect through patient stories of transformation—starting with the brain
Missed the workshop? Catch the replay here:
Ready to Address the Root Cause?
If you’re dealing with chronic pain, anxiety, digestive issues, or just feel “off” and don’t know why—we’re here to help.
📍 Life Springs Family Chiropractic
📞 Call/Text: (303) 770-0605
