Published in The Korean Times: If Lumbar Spine Is Subluxated

Let’s look at your lumbar vertebrae and the segments below the lumbars ? your sacrum and coccyx ? and what subluxations of these areas may cause.

Let me first give you the definition of what “chiropractic” and “subluxation” exactly are, and how they can affect your health and well being.

The Science : Since its beginning, chiropractic has been based on the scientific fact that the nervous system controls the function of every cell, tissue, organ and system of your body.

While the brain is protected by the skull, the spinal cord is more vulnerable, covered by 24 moving vertebrae. When these bones lose their normal motion or position, they can irritate the nervous system. This disrupts the function of the tissues or organs these nerves control, and is called the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.

Chiropractic is the science of locating these areas of spinal malfunction, the art of correcting them and the philosophy of things natural. It was founded in the 1890’s and has developed tremendously over the years. It’s a treatment that is sometimes covered by medical insurance, but it’s best to check with the individual insurance provider. Many of today’s chiropractors use spinal correction in conjunction with exercises, health, and lifestyle counseling.
You have five lumbar vertebrae. When you have a subluxation of your lumbar vertebrae, certain nerves and areas are affected. Below are some of the more common findings.

Remember that subluxations stress your spine, discs, ligaments, muscles and blood vessels and they affect the nerves that help your organs, glands, muscles and other body parts function.

Lumbar L1: Nerves from L1 go to your large intestine, inguinal rings and uterus. Constipation, colitis, diarrhea, hernias, uterine problems and other conditions have been noted in people with L1 subluxations.

L2: Nerves from L2 go to your appendix, abdomen, upper leg and bladder. Appendicitis, cramps, difficulty breathing, acidosis, leg pain and numbness, sciatica and other conditions have been noted in people with L2 subluxations.

L3: Nerves from L3 go to your sex organs, uterus, bladder, knees, prostate and large intestine. Bladder troubles, menstrual troubles, male impotency, knee and foot problems, bowel problems and other conditions have been noted in people with L3 subluxations.

L4: Nerves from L4 go to your prostate gland, muscles of the lower back and then form the sciatic nerve. Prostate problems, low back spasms, sciatica pain, leg weakness, numbness, and other conditions have been noted in people with L4 subluxations.

L5: Nerves from L5 go to your lower legs, ankles, feet and prostate. Swollen ankles, weak ankles, tingling in the feet, leg cramps and other conditions have been noted in people with L5 subluxations.

Sacrum: Nerves from your sacrum go to your hipbones, buttocks, rectum, sex organs, genitalia, urinary bladder, ureter and prostate. Pelvic problems, leg length inequalities, spinal curvatures, impotence, urinary incontinence, kidney and bladder infections and other conditions have been noted in people with sacrum subluxations.

Coccyx: Nerves from your coccyx go to your rectum and anus and anchor your meninges (coverings around your brain and spinal cord). Migraine, headache, bizarre “whole body pains,” mental problems, hemorrhoids, anal itching, pain with sitting and other conditions have been noted in people with coccyx subluxations.

Originally Published in the Korea Times by Dr. Phillip Yoo.