IFCO Position on Vertebral Subluxation

International Federation of Chiropractors & Organizations

Phone 4012254799

Ifcochiro.execdir@gmail.com

PO Box 23517

Providence, RI 02903

Press Release

IFCO POSITION ON VERTEBRAL SUBLUXATION

May 26, 2017:

The International Federation of Chiropractors and Organizations (IFCO) represents that group of global chiropractors who desire to locate, analyze, and correct vertebral subluxations because vertebral subluxations are a detriment to the expression of life.

We know, with evidence, that the body is an intelligent organism, capable of healing, regulating and organizing itself when all processes are working without interruption. We know, with evidence, that the nervous system is the master controlling system of the body that allows for healing, regulating and organizing the body to function optimally. We know, with evidence, that anything which adversely affects the function of the nerve system can affect the proper functioning of the body. Included on that list of things that can negatively affect proper expression of the nerve system is vertebral subluxation.

In order to understand the effects of vertebral subluxation, we must define vertebral subluxation. Using some of the greatest minds in chiropractic (VP of a research publication; Chair of a Philosophy department at a USA chiropractic college; Chairperson of the Board of the IFCO and Chairperson of a USA chiropractic college and President of the leading pediatric chiropractic organization; President of a chiropractic research publication and co-founder of a leading chiropractic technology company and Director of Evidence-Informed Curriculum and Practice at a USA chiropractic college), the IFCO has defined subluxation as:

“A vertebral subluxation is an alteration of the intervertebral relationships of one or more articulations of the spinal column or the immediate weight bearing components of the axial skeleton; accompanied by a change in the morphology of the tissue occupying the neural canal and/or intervertebral foramina; as well as an alteration of neural function sufficient to interfere with the transmission of organizing information, considered to be homologous to the mental impulse.”

The IFCO understands that there are other entities who have defined “chiropractic subluxation.” As chiropractic was founded upon the subluxation, the only thing that makes the chiropractic profession separate and distinct, it is important to define subluxation in terms of this uniqueness. To not emphasize that subluxation is vertebral first and foremost, and not merely an afterthought, defines chiropractic much like many other professions. As such, we lose our distinctness and run the risk of being absorbed into other “like” professions.

The IFCO asserts strongly that any attempt to define chiropractic subluxation without emphasizing the importance of vertebral subluxation is a diminution of the profession. Our profession was founded upon the principles of life…the 33 Principles. As chiropractors, we acknowledge and address the vertebral subluxation (Principle 31) as a detriment to the expression of life. That principle (number 31) states “interference with transmission in the body is always directly or indirectly due to subluxations in the spinal column. Principle 31 does not state that subluxations elsewhere interfere with the transmission of innate forces…just the spinal column.

Any attempt to deviate from the initial intent at our profession’s definition is an attempt to devalue our uniqueness and separateness from all other professions. We understand that science has progressed and we are grateful for that progression. However, the current science does not negate the original raison d’etre and to deviate from our definition is to define a new profession which is not chiropractic.