Research Corner - Q&A Vertebral Subluxations – Risks and Treatment by Noah Hittner | Date Released : 02 Dec 2002 0 comments Print Close Question: My understanding is that muscles can only "pull" bones and not push them. If a client has vertebrae that are misaligned and the trainer does not know it, won’t exercise possibly make it worse because the exercises will never be able to "push" the vertebrae back into place? Is it possible that functional exercises in multiple planes could place too much stress on the spine, causing more spinal deviations? I know there are tests for posture and overall spinal deviations, but are there techniques personal trainers can use to screen for individual vertebral subluxations, legally and within our scope of practice? Answer(s): "If a client has vertebrae that are misaligned and the trainer does not know it, won’t exercise possibly make it worse because the exercises will never be able to "push" the vertebrae back into place?" You are correct in your understanding of muscles. They connect one point to another. In doing so, muscles have a three-part contraction spectrum under which they operate synergistically at all times: ECCENTRIC or deceleration and elongation ISOMETRIC or stabilization and maintenance of length CONCENTRIC or acceleration and shortening. Research has shown that the most tension development occurs during the ECCENTRIC PHASE, followed by the ISOMETRIC PHASE and lastly the CONCENTRIC PHASE. So from that point of view, no, muscles cannot "push." However, it is your muscles that move your bones (i.e., legs, arms, SPINE, etc.), and it is quite possible that a muscular imbalance of some sort (which are very common in today's computer, automated, seated age) may cause a vertebral subluxation due to the fact that there are muscles prone to tightness in the human body and each of them has a reciprocal muscle(s) prone to weakness. This reciprocal inhibition can cause altered length/tension relationships, leading to altered force couples, eventually leading to a possible spinal issue as you have made mention to above. "Is it possible that functional exercises in multiple planes could place too much stress on the spine, causing more spinal deviations?" ANY exercise that has not been preceded with the proper progression(s) can be harmful to the one performing it. However, this is all relative to: the client's level of exercise experience, goals, injury history and, most importantly, the findings of the kinetic chain assessment that should have preceded the training protocol! "I know there are tests for posture and overall spinal deviations, but are there techniques personal trainers can use to screen for individual vertebral subluxations, legally and within our scope of practice?" The spine is highly complex and absolutely nothing to fool around with. If a subluxation is suspected and/or if pain is present, the fitness/performance professional must refer out to the appropriate medical professional. Whether a CPT is skilled enough to perform a valid screen or not, she or he still could not ethically or legally administer treatment. Back to top About the author: Noah Hittner In his time in the health and fitness industry, Noah Hittner worked with a wide range of clientele—from the high school athlete to the senior citizen. This experience, in great part, still inspires his work today. Now, years past his days as a fitness professional, Noah has turned his focus to writing and music. His books and songs explore the process of human consciousness and the quest for personal freedom. Noah now approaches his work, as well as his life, with self-honesty as his first intention and his top priority. It is with this intention in mind that he aims to connect with the lives of as many people as possible in an inspiring and empowering way. Noah's books include The Modern-Day Buddha, Beyond Victim and Villain, and Something to Give Back. 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