Chiropractic was founded in 1895, when Dr. David Palmer delivered a thrust; by use of specific hand contact on a vertebra to one, Harvey Lillard to correct a subluxation. Harvey Lillard, a custodial worker, had become deaf due to, as he described it, a loud “pop” in his back. Once receiving this corrective thrust, now known as an adjustment, hearing was returned to Harvey Lillard. A miracle? YES! Harvey Lillard’s hearing restoration was a miracle, but only the first of many more to come. Thus, the birth of the finest natural holistic healing care in the world…CHIROPRACTIC.
Since its birth, the chiropractic profession has evolved over the years. Today, there exists many “specialties” within the field. Some chiropractors focus on certain populations, says pediatrics or sports for example. Others specialize in neurology or orthopedics. There are other offices that blend a variety of approaches to stand out from the crowd. With so many options and solutions available, how does one know what type of office to go to?
Since graduating from chiropractic school, I dedicated the next year to travelling to and working in various offices. I wanted to see first-hand what was offered to patients. Additionally, I wanted to see what message was being told, and in what manner it was told. I learned a lot during this time, and helped me shape what type of office I wanted to start. This was the birth of The Head and Spine Pain Center. At our office, we believe in providing the most advanced care for our patients neuromusculoskeltal issues. But everyone says that, right? What is it about this office that makes us unique?
Just like Harvey Lillard’s experience, when subluxations are removed, you give the body a better chance to do what is was made to do. A subluxation simply means the vertebra (bones) that protect the spinal cord have been altered and put more pressure on the nervous system. The nervous system is comprised of the brain, the spinal cord, and the nerves that come out from the spinal cord. These nerves innervate every muscle, organ, and cell of the body. Chiropractors do not heal- we simply remove the interference in the nervous system to allow your body to perform at its optimal level. But with all the choices out there, why choose an upper cervical specific doctor?
At The Head and Spine Pain Center, all patients that we treat get a series of pre and post treatment x-rays. Why? Because we need to SEE the actual position of the 1st vertebra in relation to the skull and the rest of the cervical spine. Additionally, we need to also see the lower spine in relation to the upper spine. X-rays also allow us to see the shape of skull and 2nd vertebrae, as well as any other anomalies in each patient. This gives us an exact calculation of the vector and angle our correction needs to be delivered at. Just like everyone having a different fingerprint, everyone has so many unique variables that go into their specific treatment.
But why do we care so much about correcting your 1st bone’s relationship to the skull and spine? The average human head weighs anywhere between 8-12 pounds. The average 1st bone (atlas) weighs about 2 ounces. Think of a bowling ball resting on such a light bone. Because of the way we are designed, the first bone and 2nd bone are more apt to shift out of place. Right above the 1st bone is our brainstem. What is so important about the brainstem? It is the structure of the brain that is continuous with the spinal cord. Here are where many activities such as cardiac and respiratory functioning happens. Additionally, this is where sensory input to the brain happens, along with sleep cycle function and consciousness. The atlas being out of place can affect all of these, in addition to blood flow to the brain and cerebral spinal fluid and lymphatic drainage from the brain. Additionally, our adjustments to the atlas are delivered via soundwaves. These soundwaves allow us to deliver the correction without any twisting or “popping”. They are specific to 1/100th of a degree, gentle, and reproducible. Chiropractic adjustments are very effective, but we believe they are more effective when they are delivered in the most exact and individualized manner possible.
So what results can an upper cervical chiropractor produce? Below is a list of some of them:
