WHAT IS A STRUCTURAL SHIFT?
There are in fact, "normals", in all aspects of
life. Knowing what is normal allows us to determine what is abnormal...it's as simple as that. For example: you know you have a fever when your temperature is above 98.6 degrees. When it comes to the spine there is indeed a NORMAL STRUCTURE
that is considered ideal. For example: Healthy spinal curves, when looking at the spine from the side, are comprised of vertebrae that are separated by equal spaces and have well defined, smooth edges. The discs sit between the vertebrae, creating the equal spacing, allowing for uninterrupted passage of the nerves as they branch off the spinal cord and exit the spine. The BENEFITS of normal structure include: optimal ranges of motion, optimal shock absorption, restricted nerve damage, provides normal sensory (afferent) input, balances muscle tension, intercepts damage to ligaments and prevents early degeneration of the discs and vertebrae.Of course we are not expecting perfection. Take for instance a Structural Shift referred to as Anterior Head Syndrome (AHS). If we find that your head is shifted 30mm forward/anterior, beyond what is considered acceptable, from the information we gather during the COMPLETE STRUCTURAL EXAM, you have AHS. A structural shift (AHS), out of the normal range, is no different than your car being forced out of alignment, or the foundation of your house sinking on one side by just a couple inches.
Because the underlying structure has been shifted, regardless of the reasons, this deviation of your skull puts abnormal stress on your muscles, tendons, ligaments, discs and spinal bones, causing maladaption and inevitably...degeneration...possibly producing pain and loss of function (SECONDARY CONDITIONS).
Corrective Chiropractic focuses on detecting and correcting the presence of these Structural Shifts.
