The Concussion-Subluxation Complex

In the Aug. 1, 2014 issue of Dynamic Chiropractic, I reviewed some of the literature demonstrating the role of the chiropractic adjustment in post-concussive care.¹ A year later, I presented a series of brief cases demonstrating patient improvement in reverse digit span – an outcome measure related to attention span – under chiropractic care.² This series included patients with and without concussion. In the process of preparing these articles, as well as organizing material for postgraduate courses, I naturally found myself reviewing much of the biomedical and chiropractic clinical literature relevant to concussion and the vertebral subluxation complex (as defined in Redwood, 1997).³ Let's try a few simple thought experiments and then discuss why a new classification term – the concussion-subluxation complex – may be warranted.

Two Thought Experiments

Try these two thought experiments (experiments conducted entirely within the confines of your own mind); I believe the results will speak for themselves.

• Thought Experiment #1: Imagine every possible injury that could cause a concussion. What percentage of these injuries left the vertebral column unharmed and unsubluxated?
• Thought Experiment #2: I invite you to examine the table. The clinical features of concussion are drawn from the Zurich Statement (McCrory, et al., 2012),⁴ the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),⁵ Eckner, et al. (2011 and 2013),^6-7 and Kontos, et al. (2013).⁸ I have left the column labeled "Vertebral Subluxation Complex" blank. Based on your personal clinical experience, and your understanding of the clinical literature and basic science, please fill in this column. How many times did you write "No"?

References Masarsky CS. "Post-Concussion Patient Care: Relevance of the Chiropractic Adjustment." Dynamic Chiropractic, Aug. 1, 2014. Masarsky CS. "Reverse Digit Span: A Useful Assessment Tool for Patients With and Without Concussion." Dynamic Chiropractic, Aug. 1, 2015. Redwood D. Contemporary Chiropractic. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1997: p. 333. Definition of vertebral subluxation complex: "Subluxation at one or more spinal levels resulting from mechanical, chemical, or emotional stressors, and resulting in functional and eventual pathologic changes in the constituent tissues of the involved motion segments. Functional and eventual pathologic changes may also occur in distant tissues influenced by the resultant neural disturbance." McCrory P, Meeuwisse WH, Aubry M, et al. Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 4th International Conference on Concussion in Sport, held in Zurich, November 2012. Br J Sports Med, 2013;47:250-258. "Facts for Physicians About Mild Traumatic Brain Injury." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Eckner JT, Kutcher JS, Richardson JK. Effect of concussion on clinically measured reaction time in nine NCAA Division I collegiate athletes: a preliminary study. PM&R, 2011;3:212-218. Eckner JT, Kutcher JS, Broglia SP, Richardson JK. Effect of sport-related concussion on clinically measured simple reaction time. Br J Sports Med, 2014 Jan;48(2):112-18. Kontos AP, Kotwal RS, Elbin RJ, et al. Residual effects of combat-related mild traumatic brain injury. J Neurotrauma, 2013;30(8):680-686. November 2015 Trending News / Profession MAHA Launches Chiropractic Hub Building on a historic March 2026 meeting between Make America Healthy Again and chiropractic leadership, MAHA has announced the launch of the MAHA Chiropractic Hub, “a coordinated national partnership uniting MAHA Center, MAHA Action, and the chiropractic profession, including national associations, state organizations, practitioners, educators, researchers, and patient advocates. The Chiropractic Hub will advance federal policy, expand patient access, and build broad public support for chiropractic care across America.”  |  Digital Exclusive Dynamic Chiropractic Staff Education & Seminars Confronting the Threat to Chiropractic Education The chiropractic profession is confronting one of the most significant federal regulatory threats it has faced in decades. A new U.S. Department of Education (ED) accountability framework – commonly referred to as the “Do No Harm” (DNH) regulation – could place many chiropractic programs at risk of losing access to federal financial aid (student loans), potentially reshaping the future of chiropractic education and workforce development across the United States.  |  Digital Exclusive Healthcare / Public Health From Pain Scores to Performance Metrics Pain has become the dominant language of musculoskeletal healthcare. Numeric pain-rating scales and symptom reports are routinely used as primary indicators of clinical success. But while pain reduction is meaningful, it is an incomplete and often misleading representation of recovery. This has real consequences for patient adherence, long-term outcomes, and how conservative care is perceived within the broader healthcare system. Christopher Proulx, DC, PhD(ABD), CSCS