J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2000 Feb; 23(2): 101-3.

Reflex effects of vertebral subluxations: the peripheral nervous system. An update.

Bolton PS.

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.

BACKGROUND: The traditional chiropractic vertebral subluxation hypothesis proposes that vertebral misalignment cause illness, disease, or both. This hypothesis remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To briefly review and update experimental evidence concerning reflex effects of vertebral subluxations, particularly concerning peripheral nervous system responses to vertebral subluxations. DATA SOURCE: Information was obtained from chiropractic or scientific peer-reviewed literature concerning human or animal studies of neural responses to vertebral subluxation, vertebral displacement or movement, or both. CONCLUSION: Animal models suggest that vertebral displacements and putative vertebral subluxations may modulate activity in group I to IV afferent nerves. However, it is not clear whether these afferent nerves are modulated during normal day-to-day activities of living and, if so, what segmental or whole-body reflex effects they may have.