If it is believed that spinal dysfunction is due primarily to bones of
the spine being "out of place", and needing to be aligned, then patients find themselves in the predicament of having only one remedy for their condition; alignment of the spine by a DC or other spinal manipulator.

If, on the other hand, it is understood that the central functional loss of spinal dysfunction is that of mobility, then, patients can, with their doctor's assistance, consider the likely causes and restore mobility through spinal adjustment, elimination of offending foods, flexibility exercises, increased physical activity, nutritional
supplementation, dealing with emotional issues, etc...

As evidence grew that the tissues (connective, muscle, nerve, lymph, vascular) of the vertebral motor unit were all involved in the lesion, the term "subluxation complex" was added to the lexicon of the chiropractic profession to denote the broader understanding of the anatomical and physiologic scope of the lesion.

With improved understanding of the lesion itself, greater attention
began to be directed toward the causes of subluxations. Historically, subluxations were treated primarily as the result of physical displacement of vertebrae. It is now understood that the causes of subluxations include, but are not limited to, physical trauma, food allergies and intolerances, physical inactivity, environmental toxicity, emotional stress, nutrient insufficiencies, and disease or imbalance in specific organs.