Chiropractic Philosophy: The Cause vs. The Crisis (Subluxation Basics with Dr. Hulsebus)
Hello! Dr. Brant Hulsebus here, and welcome to another edition of Ask the Chiropractor.
Today, I want to discuss the core difference between the medical approach and the chiropractic approach to health—the foundation of our philosophy, and what my LCP (Legion of Chiropractic Philosophers) certification truly means.
Crisis Care vs. Corrective Care
Medicine is an invaluable science, especially when it comes to crisis care. If you have a broken arm, a heart attack, or an acute emergency, medicine excels. As I shared in the podcast, when my bicep muscle snapped, I relied on medical surgery to reattach it so I could continue working! Medicine is fantastic for keeping people alive and handling immediate trauma.
However, the chiropractic approach focuses on a different part of the health spectrum. We aim to look beyond the symptom and find the cause—the stem of the issue.
Our Philosophy: We don’t necessarily treat a symptom; we look at the spine to figure out what’s not working properly, which in turn affects the entire nervous system.
What is a Subluxation?
If you are new to chiropractic, here is the basic concept we address:
A subluxation is what we call it when one or two bones of the spine are misaligned, fixated, and not moving properly. This misalignment creates stress at the joint.
This joint stress releases chemicals called catecholamines that hit the nerve, causing that part of the body to enter a sympathetic or “fight and flight” stress response.
The Sympathetic Connection (Fight and Flight)
The sympathetic nervous system is genetically designed to help us survive a short-term attack (like being chased by a bear). During this response, your body prioritizes survival functions:
- Blood pressure increases.
- Cholesterol goes up (for clotting).
- White blood cell count and immunity plummet.
- Reproductive drive is turned off.
In modern life, our stresses (appointments, work, schedules) trigger the same physical reaction. A subluxation essentially keeps a nerve stuck in this high-stress, fight-and-flight mode.
From Subluxation to Symptoms
This nervous system interference explains why we address the spine, not just the symptom:
- Digestive Issues (T6 Vertebrae): If you have a subluxation at your T6 vertebrae (mid-back), the nerves going to the stomach can go into fight-and-flight. This can accelerate digestion and cause an overproduction of stomach acids, a fancy term for heartburn. We don’t treat heartburn; we adjust the T6 subluxation, allowing the stomach to return to its proper, relaxed function.
- Numbness/Tingling (Cervical Spine): Many people describe a “pinched nerve” in the neck causing numbness or burning down the arm (sciatica is similar in the lower back). This is often a subluxation releasing those stimulating catecholamines, causing a malfunction in the nerve signal, not necessarily a pinch that cuts it off. We adjust the neck to restore proper nerve function, not to treat the pain in the arm itself.
The Power of the Parasympathetic System
Besides adjusting the spine to turn off the sympathetic stress response, we also focus on the parasympathetic system, which tells your body that danger is gone and it’s time to relax and return to homeostasis.
This relaxation response is governed by the upper neck (C1, C2) and the tailbone (sacrum), where the crucial **Vagus nerve** originates. Adjusting this area gives a massive boost of parasympathetic stimulation, which can help:
- Lower blood pressure (as discussed, fight-and-flight raises BP).
- Promote deeper, more restful sleep.
Our Purpose is Neurological Stimulation
As chiropractors, we are not simply “back pain doctors.” Our philosophy is to be neurological stimulators. We want to find the interference (the subluxation) and get out of the way, giving your body everything it needs to perform its job and maintain health naturally.
This is the original philosophy on which chiropractic was founded, and it remains the biggest thing we offer that other healthcare providers do not.
I’m Dr. Brant Hulsebus, a proud graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic. I also serve as team chiropractor of the Rockford IceHogs. I welcome you to our clinic in Rockford, Illinois.
If you have a question about chiropractic or chiropractic care you’d like me to answer, please feel free to reach out!