See Table below for details about Spinal Degeneration

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Normal Spine	Phase I	Phase II	Phase III	Phase IV
Incidence:  lifetime	Incidence:  birth – 20 years	Incidence: most often 20-40 yrs.	Incidence: most often 40-65 yrs.	Incidence: most often 65 yrs.
Onset: at birth or after corrective chiropractic care	Onset: Usually a traumatic incident producing vertebral subluxations which remain uncorrected	Onset: Phase I, a vertebral subluxation which was not corrected	Onset: Phase II, a vertebral subluxation which remained uncorrected	Onset: Phase III, vertebral subluxation which were not corrected
Histopathology & X-Ray: there are no vertebral    subluxations edges and margins of vertebrae are smooth and regular joint surfaces are not roughened and are evenly spaced spine exhibits normal lordotic curve disc spaces are healthy  there is no tissue damage	Histopathology & X-Ray: vertebral subluxations are evident nerve root pressure resulting in rupture of nerve roots  toxin production and absorption into surrounding tissues at site of subluxations affecting other nerve systems normal nerve function is not possible normal spinal curve is altered minimal soft tissue   damage at this point	Histopathology & X-Ray: vertebral subluxations increase in severity vertebral margins roughen joint surfaces become rough and irregular abnormal calcium production bone spurs are evident at edges of vertebrae discs narrow and show signs of degeneration, decay and dehydration disc instability and collapse is evident normal nerve function and transmission not possible	Histopathology & X-Ray: beginning of bone fusion evident massive advanced spur and arthritic formation abnormal calcium production soft tissue decay evident vetebral deformity has reached major proportions disc function is lost and discs are degenerated poor nerve function, and neurological transmission is   seriously impaired nerve failure has started muscular atrophy and wasting of shoulder and arm muscles	Histopathology & X-Ray:  most vertebra have lost their form and function fusion is complete spinal form is destroyed discs have completely   degenerated muscular infiltration with calcium calcification of most spinal ligaments nerve system failure nerve transmission lost a terminal condition has been created bone deformation nerve death and atrophy
Most Common Symptoms:  none	Most Common Symptoms:  some stiffness occasional “twinges" of pain which seem to “go away” headaches and sinus problems tightness in shoulder area some numbness in fingers pain in shoulders: thought to be "bursitis” mild visual disturbances	Most Common Symptoms: increasing stiffness, usually in the morning  numbness and tingling into arms and hands pain across shoulders spreading into arms and hands headaches dizziness muscular weakness clumsiness incoordination chest and stomach problems irritability	Most Common Symptoms: severe pain (sometimes none at all) greatly reduced movement generally overall stiffness atrophy and wasting of arm and shoulder muscles weakness in grip strength fatigue spells of dizziness visual and ear disturbances  face numbness and pain  severe headaches lowered resistance chronic sinus trouble incoordination irritability vetebral artery insufficiency, which can lead to stroke arm and hand pain and numbness	Most Common Symptoms: little movement chronic pain in most areas complete shoulder and arm weakness and atrophy dizziness and faintness severe fatigue numbness headaches failure of all organ systems is evident untimely death
Corrective Time: none required	Corrective Time: 6 – 8 months	Corrective Time: 18-30 months	Corrective Time: 30 – 42 months	Corrective Time: none possible; care at this point is given for relief and comfort only
% of Recovery: not applicable	% of Recovery: 100%, however dependent on patient compliance	% of Recovery: dependent on severity and patient compliance	% of Recovery: dependent on severity and patient compliance	% of Recovery: none

Adapted from PROFESSIONAL DESIGN GROUP, 2349 Fairview St., Suite 304, Burlington, Ont. Canada L7R 2E3