While most would agree that trauma usually causes the first “subluxation” or misalignment, leading to upper cervical health-related problems, we often find that subsequent subluxations can come from many non-traumatic sources.
The following is a list of non-traumatic influences on the nervous system that would cause a “blunting” defense response by the brain and spine, leading to subluxation or misalignment:
- A sudden intense stimulus of light to the eyes.
- Pressure changes following traumatic brain injury.
- An explosive noise provoking a defensive reflex movement.
- Sudden or prolonged stimuli to the skin (cold, heat, a blow, a draft).
- Venous ballottement in brain following prolonged fight/flight response.
- Pressure conditions accompanying menstruation and pregnancy (venous stasis).
- Intense overwork, especially one sided, prolonged and repetitive muscular activity.
- Inhaled tobacco smoke, a micro-trauma to the vegetative nerves of the bronchial tree.
- Any infectious focus affecting the corresponding spinal segment by long-sustained stimulation above the neural threshold.
- Any chemical or thermal stimulus above the neural threshold to the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract (ice water, very hot drinks, alcohol).