History of Chiropractic & Vertebral Subluxation Theories

Vocabulary flashcards covering the historical development, foundational figures, biomechanical paradigms, and neurological theories of chiropractic and the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.

Chiropractic (Etymology)

Derived from the Greek words chiro (hands) and practik (practice).

Daniel David (D.D.) Palmer

Founder of chiropractic who performed the first modern adjustment in September 1895.

Harvey Lillard

First chiropractic patient; his hearing was restored after D.D. Palmer adjusted a protrusion in his neck.

Bartlett Joshua (B.J.) Palmer

The 'Developer' of chiropractic who created the first Veterinary Chiropractic Program in the early 1900s.

Dr. Sharon Willoughby

DVM and DC who founded the second animal chiropractic program in 1988.

Bone-Out-Of-Place (BOOP) Model

Static hypothesis stating a misaligned vertebra pinches a nerve and produces disease.

Stephenson's 1927 Subluxation Criteria

Four requirements: loss of juxtaposition, occluded opening, nerve impingement, and mental impulse interference.

Motion Subluxation Theory

Dynamic concept that shifted focus from bone misalignment to abnormal or restricted joint movement.

Henri Gillet

Pioneered motion palpation in the 1930s to evaluate spinal movement restrictions.

Fred Illi

Researcher who introduced full-spine X-rays and spinal fluoroscopy to study dynamic joint function.

Willard Carver

Early pioneer who introduced a whole-spine biomechanical perspective based on compensatory changes.

Buckling Injury Theory

Panjabi and White's concept proposing that the spine fails rapidly under excessive mechanical load.

Sandoz Model of Joint Manipulation

Linear sequence illustrating Active ROM, Passive ROM, and Paraphysiological Space.

Vertebral Subluxation Complex (Faye Model)

Five-part framework: kinesiopathology, neuropathology, myopathology, histopathology, and biochemical changes.

Lantz Model of the VSC

Expanded nine-component framework that added vascular, connective tissue, and pathobiological factors to Faye's model.

Kinesiopathologic Component (VSC)

Motion unit restriction assessed by motion palpation that leads to joint degeneration and altered autonomic tone.

Vascular Component (VSC)

Mechanical compression of segmental and radicular spinal arteries within the intervertebral canal.

Five Cardinal Signs of Inflammation

Redness (rubor), heat (calor), swelling (tumor), pain (dolor), and loss of function (functio laesa).

Dyskinesia (3-D Model)

Distortion or impairment of voluntary movement.

Dysponesis (3-D Model)

Reversible motor cortex firing errors producing wasted energy and abnormal muscle activity.

Dysautonomia (3-D Model)

Dysfunction or dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system.

Spine Stability Model

Stuart McGill's approach that prevents buckling injuries through core stabilization exercises.

Dysfunctional Movement Model

Jay Triano's concept explaining how tissue overload causes asynchronous motion and pain.

Evans and Breen Model

Biomechanics update redefining paraphysiological space as safe joint gapping rather than a danger zone.

Neutral Zone

Position of least soft tissue resistance where joint gapping occurs most efficiently.

Neuroplastic Model

Heidi Haavik's framework showing abnormal spinal motion distorts sensory input and alters central motor commands.

Facilitation (Korr)

Hyper-irritable spinal cord state where low-level stimuli trigger exaggerated neural responses.

Nerve Root Susceptibility Threshold

Spinal nerve roots alter function at only $10\,\text{mm\,Hg}$ of pressure, compared to $130$ to $> 1000\,\text{mm\,Hg}$ for peripheral nerves.

Cellular Immediate Early Gene Response (CIEGR)

Proposed cellular mechanism for Innate Intelligence where receptor stimulation triggers gene transcription and protein synthesis.

Segmental Model (Chiropractic)

Clinical approach analyzing individual motion units using motion palpation or localized X-ray listings.

Postural Model (Chiropractic)

Clinical approach evaluating whole-spine curves and global alignment rather than individual segments.

Tonal Model (Chiropractic)

Clinical approach viewing subluxation as abnormal nervous system tension and overall physiological tone.