Chiropractic purpose
Subluxation
A specific historical chiropractic definition connecting a vertebra and interference.
The big idea
Stephenson’s definition includes a changed relationship between vertebrae, nerve impingement, and interference with mental impulses. All of those elements matter to what he means. Reading only “a bone out of place” misses part of his definition.
An everyday illustration
When learning a new game, a named move may require several conditions. Leaving one out changes the meaning of the move.
An original illustration to help explain the idea, not a quotation or evidence of a biological mechanism.
In the author’s words
“A subluxation is the condition of a vertebra that has lost its proper juxtaposition with the one above or the one below, or both; to an extent less than a luxation; which impinges nerves and interferes with the transmission of mental impulses.”
1927 edition · PDF page 34
Explore this book
Short excerpts from the indexed edition; line breaks are normalized. PDF page numbers refer to the source file, and may differ from printed page numbers.
Read it in context
The passage expressly says all factors are needed. This introduces the 1927 chiropractic usage; it should not be assumed to mean the same thing as every modern use of “subluxation.”
Keep the question going
Explore subluxation with Ask B.J.
How does the Green Books discussion of subluxation help a new reader understand chiropractic philosophy? Explain simply, cite the relevant passages, and distinguish historical philosophy from current clinical evidence.
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