Researching Chiropractic: Migraines & Asthma

How many people suffering, on drugs, or facing a life of limitation could be helped by chiropractic care? Probably most of them.

Chronic Migraines in a 15-Year-Old

A 15-year-old boy came to the chiropractic office complaining of migraine headaches.  They began when he was three years of age! At that age, he was involved in a motor vehicle accident. When he came to our office, he was averaging one migraine every 3 weeks. Research has revealed that 10% of school-age children and 28% of adolescents (i.e., between 15-19 years of age) experience migraine headaches.

X-rays revealed a possible upper cervical (upper neck) vertebral subluxation involving C-1, the first vertebra beneath the skull, and C-2, which lies below C-1. 

On the first visit, the patient was adjusted to remove/reduce his subluxations. Immediately the sharp pressure he was experiencing prior began to alleviate. Over the next 24-months, he experienced only 5 migraine headaches. (1)

Asthma in a two-year-old

Asthma in children is very prevalent in the general population with 9 million U.S. children under 18 being diagnosed with asthma. In 2005, an estimated 22.2 million people in the U.S. suffered from asthma. Asthma is the leading cause of school absence in the United States.

 

In this case, a twenty-four-month-old boy suffering from asthma, chronic colds, and respiratory issues since birth was brought in by his mother for a chiropractic evaluation.  When he came in for care he was taking two medications prescribed by his pediatric pulmonologist, Flovent and Singulair, daily. 

The child was delivered prematurely at 31 weeks by emergency cesarean section. 

At the initial chiropractic examination, the patient was “fully vaccinated.” 

Both upper and lower spinal areas showed evidence of subluxations. 

Multiple subluxations and the subluxations were adjusted. The child’s care plan was initially set at 2-3 times a week for the initial four weeks however after the 4th visit, the mother stopped giving her son the prescription medications due to his improvement in symptoms. As of this writing in the past two years, the child has had no asthma symptoms and has reported only one cold. (2)

Numbness and Burning in the Arm, Stiffness in the Neck

The patient suffered from chronic progressive cervical radiculopathy (pain and numbness radiating from the neck) for two months prior to seeing a chiropractor. The patient had numbness and a burning sensation in the right arm and stiffness in the lower cervical spine.

The patient received chiropractic care to adjust vertebral subluxations. After 11 visits the patient reported a significant improvement in numbness and tingling in her arm and an improvement in quality of life. (3)

If you know anyone who may be experiencing these issues, please share this article with them and encourage them to make an appointment with us. Call 517.627.4547 today!

  1. Esarco J, Alcantara J. Resolution of Chronic Migraines in a 15-Year-Old Male Following Chiropractic Care: A Case Report & Review of the Literature. Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research ~ Volume 2022 ~ January 11, 2022  ~ Pages 1-6. Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research, Volume 2022
  2. Davis H, Barley A. Correction of Subluxation and Alleviation of Asthma Symptoms in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Study. Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – July 19, 2012
  3. Davis H, Barley A. Correction of Subluxation and Alleviation of Asthma Symptoms in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Study. Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – July 19, 2012.  Lorigan AL, Smith S, Bennett JL. Resolution of Cervical Radiculopathy in a 61-Year-Old Female Receiving Subluxation Based Chiropractic Care: A Case Report. Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research ~ September 9, 2015 ~ Pages 154-156.

MOTHER NATURE IS BEYOND AMAZING

MOTHER NATURE IS BEYOND AMAZING AND HOW SHE TAKES CARE OF HER CREATURES IS JUST INCREDIBLE.

At the end of March, we snuck away for a weekend to surprise my dearest friend.  En route, we listened to a fascinating interview on Terri Gross’s show on NPR.  It was an interview with author Scott Weidensaul about his book,  A World on the Wing: The Global Odyssey of Migratory Birds.

How often do you even take note of the birds above your head?  Ever wonder where they come from and where they are going?

This book by Scott Weidensaul, details how Mother Nature has adapted birds to be able to endure incredible long flights over oceans (17days for one of them) with no outside food or water and no place to sleep among many other feats that little fluff balls we don’t even really pay attention to, should never normally encounter.  This bird apparently stuffs itself in Alaska in preparation for the trip and then, during the trip, their hearts and stomachs decrease in size and their bodies metabolize the stored fat into water and energy for the bird for the duration of the trip. ( As the author quipped…. we humans need that metabolizing capability!)

Birds apparently Hemi-sleep…..that is one side of their brains shut down at a time and they flip flop between hemispheres on long trips (and even when sleeping on trees), anyway…kinda like sleeping with one eye open!   The stories were incredible and each time we were looking at each other and going…” good grief Innate is incredible marvelous”.   Innate, that little speck of Mother Nature/The Divine that manifests itself in each and every living thing and makes the science of bird migration something to really read about and marvel at.  We will have the book at the office when Ray has finished reading it. 

“Many mysteries of birdlife and migration are revealed in this compelling and illuminating in-the-field narrative complete with maps and photographs” starred review Booklist



Museum of Failure

Did you know there is a museum of failure?

Included in the museum of 159 failed products and innovations, the touring Museum of Failure features displays of Harley-Davidson perfume, Colgate frozen entrees, and Microsoft Zune.

There’s a basketball court in the US Supreme Court building? Located on the top floor of the US Supreme Court building, the former storage room was turned into an exercise area for courthouse employees in the 1940s before nets were eventually installed. It is now known as the “highest court in the land.”

museum of failure

The original Back to the Future time machine was a refrigerator? It wasn’t the gull-shaped winged DeLorean car. In early drafts of the script, the time machine was attached to a refrigerator and driven to the Nevada desert into a testing site for the atomic bomb.  Let’s praise re-writes.

Santa Claus was given an official pilot’s license in 1927? Yes, he’s really legal! When the big man in red makes his annual trip around the globe on Christmas Eve, you can sleep even more soundly knowing he’s legal to drive. In1927, Santa Claus was given a pilot’s license from the US Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Aeronautics, William P. MacCracken.

McDonald’s once created bubblegum-flavored broccoli? In 2014, the fast-food chain developed bubblegum-flavored broccoli which turned out to be an utter failure. McDonald’s CEO Don Thompson admitted that kids were confused by the taste! This belongs in the Museum of Failure.  

Why is Your Nervous System Important?

The goal of Chiropractic is to locate and correct subluxations to release stress from your nervous system. Why is that important?

Why is your nervous system important?

Without it you’d be in the ultimate sensory deprivation tank – not be able to connect with anything or anyone not seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling, or moving. You’d be completely alone inside yourself. 

It’s your connection to your inner and outer worlds – to all your body parts.  You need it so all your body parts and cells (billions and trillions of them) will work together in a coordinated, harmonious manner.

Your nervous system is made up of your brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, and more!  You’ve got billions of nerve fibers – and they make up the most powerful communications system in the universe – and it’s inside you.

A healthy nervous system is needed for your entire body and mind to work at their optimum. A subluxation is a distortion in your body structure that stresses your nervous system and interferes with its function. This interference can cause dis-ease (body-mind-energy malfunction) and dis-ease can in time result in disease. Your Doctor of Chiropractic is an expert at locating and correcting (adjusting) subluxations helping your nerve system/communications system function without interference. The result is an improved function in every system of your body.

Call us to make an appointment today!

(517) 627-4547

Researching Chiropractic – Food Intolerances, Seizures, Ear Issues

There seems to be no end to the conditions that respond to chiropractic care – physical as well as psychological conditions.

That is because chiropractic does not “treat” a particular condition. Chiropractic care “corrects” a serious interference to the brain, nervous system, and energy function known as the subluxation. 

No matter what condition you or a loved one may have, you and they will always function better when free from subluxations. Chiropractors are uniquely trained to locate and correct subluxations. Enjoy this month’s cases and see more next month. 

Resolution of Food Intolerances in a 24-Year-Old Male

A 24-year-old male with low back pain and food intolerances to wheat, garlic, onion, and dairy began chiropractic care.  In the past, he had been hospitalized due to digestive issues, abdominal pain, bloated abdomen, excessive hunger, and depression.

Chiropractic analysis revealed subluxations at C1 and C5 (neck/cervical vertebrae).  The patient had a series of corrections/adjustments. By his 9th visit, after three months of care, he had no more digestive issues and was able to eat foods that were previously deemed intolerant. In addition, his mood had also improved. (1)

Seizure Reduction in a Two-Year Old

A two-year-old boy with seizures, and hypotonia (weak muscles or lack of muscle tone), diagnosed with MMPSI (similar to infantile spasms) was brought in for chiropractic care. He was on numerous prescription drugs.

He was having 15-20 seizures per day and exhibiting poor eye gaze/tracking, arms flailing, screaming, and uncontrolled movements. He was not able to hold up his head, sit up, and vocalize. 

Spinal and cranial examination revealed multiple areas of vertebral subluxation that were addressed (adjusted).

Over the 13-month period of being checked and adjusted for vertebral subluxation (22 office visits), there were significant improvements his quality of life and function. A 24-hour EEG reported ZERO seizures, and under the guidance of his primary care physician, he stopped all medications. (2) 

Ear Surgery Scheduled for A Four-Year-Old

It is estimated that approximately 40% of children suffer from ear infections (otitis media or OM) before the age of five. OM is often recurrent, and pediatricians often put the suffering child on numerous antibiotic prescriptions and sometimes do ear surgery and put tubes in the child’s ears (which often fail).

In this case, a four-year-old boy with a history of failed ear-tube surgeries, and numerous ear infections was scheduled for yet another surgery. His parents decided to first bring him in for chiropractic care. 

The chiropractor located vertebral subluxations and adjusted the child’s cervical and thoracic spine. 

After the first adjustment, the child felt immediately better. He was also sleeping better and in a better mood. By the 3rd visit, the mother canceled her son’s scheduled surgery her child’s ear pain, fever, and hearing resolved. (3)

If you know anyone who may be experiencing these issues, please share this article with them and encourage them to make an appointment with us. Call 517.627.4547 today!

  1. Herman D, Allen T. Resolution of Food Intolerances in a 24-Year-Old Male Undergoing Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care: A Case Report & Review of the Literature Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research ~ August 4, 2020 ~ Pages 15-27
  2. Turo D, Demczar C. Significant Motor Development and Quality of Life Improvement in a Rare Seizure Condition (MMPSI) Following Vertebral Subluxation Reduction: A Case Study.  Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health Chiropractic Vol. 2022.
  3. Feranti, M, Alcantara J, Brinkley C. Chronic Otitis Media, Failed Tympanostomy Tube Surgery & Resolution Following Adjustment of Vertebral Subluxation. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic ~ Volume 2016 ~ Issue 1 ~ Pages 5-8  

The Miracle Question

Those lyrics are from an old (1935) American popular song. Believe it or not, writing to yourself can be very therapeutic. Milton Erickson, the famous psychologist asked a simple question that was so powerful and effective it has been referred to as, “The Miracle Question.”  Here it is:

  • Write an imaginary letter of a day in the future when you are in a wonderful place physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
  • If you imagine your life is like a novel and the next chapter is a happy one, what will happen in it?
  • Imagine that a year has passed, and you decide to send a postcard with good news. What would the good news be?
  • If someone were to tell others the good news about you in the future, what would that be?

Put another way, imagine you awaken one morning, a miracle has occurred, and your problems are gone! How are you different? What are you doing? What are your plans? How do you feel? How do you look? What are your relationships like? How do you see yourself moving forwards? etc. etc. This is much more powerful than simply imagining a future without your problems. 

It’s easy to do this exercise, merely writing or talking about your life in the future is wonderful.  Just make-believe. Just imagine. You can even tell others about this miracle and ask them to describe you in this wonderful future. Hearing other people’s fantasies about your future may help you do this exercise even better.

Other ways of asking The Miracle Question:

  • What will you be doing or saying differently such that other people will know you are less depressed (or sad or anxious or confused etc.)?
  • If you were in a restaurant and people were watching you and your spouse having a meal together, how will they know that you are getting on well?

This can be used with a friend or even a teenager (wow!). Take turns telling each other The Miracle Question and your wonderful changes: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. (1)

  1. A Brief Guide to Brief Therapy; 1993 by Brian Cade and William Huson O’Hanlon and The Miracle Question. Solution Talk-Hosting Therapeutic Conversations; 1992, by Ben Furma and Tapani Ahola.

 

 

Chiropractic for the Entire Family?

Absolutely! Infants, babies, pregnant women, young, old, athletes, students – everyone can benefit from chiropractic!

It’s easy to see. Walk into the waiting room of a busy Doctor of Chiropractic and you’ll notice a surprising variety of people coming in for care; people suffering from nearly every condition under the sun.  

You may meet a woman telling you her headaches, migraines, or menstrual problems cleared up or that chiropractic helped her with fertility. You’ll meet others whose neck and back pain, digestion, and elimination were helped.

You’ll hear parents tell you their child’s asthma, ear infections, dyslexia, allergies, attention deficit disorder, or other conditions improved or completely resolved!

Others may tell you their athletic workouts are easier, and they have better balance and coordination. (Note: That is why many professional athletes including golfers, tennis, football, soccer, etc. Chiropractic improves their game, helps prevent injuries, and speeds recovery from injuries.)

Why do so many varied conditions respond to chiropractic care? The reason is that chiropractors do not treat individual conditions. Chiropractic works on your entire body to release deep stress from the nervous system. The result: your body functions betters, your brain works better, you heal quicker, have more energy, and are more connected. It’s been said that DC can also stand for “Doctor of Cause” as well as Doctor of Chiropractic.

Now you know why chiropractic has become the most popular drug-free, non-surgical healing profession in the world today. Most people notice positive, even dramatic changes after their very first visit. If you feel no change that does not necessarily mean you are not receiving any benefit; healing may be occurring under the surface. 

Millions of people visit their neighborhood Doctor of Chiropractic for hundreds of different reasons. Is anyone you know missing out on this safe, effective, and gentle art, science, and philosophy? Please have them contact our office. 

Call us to make an appointment today!

(517) 627-4547

Researching Chiropractic – High BP & Poor Posture

There seems to be no end to the conditions that respond to chiropractic care – physical as well as psychological conditions.

That is because chiropractic does not “treat” a particular condition. Chiropractic care “corrects” a serious interference to the brain, nervous system, and energy function known as the subluxation. 

No matter what condition you or a loved one may have, you and they will always function better when free from subluxations. Chiropractors are uniquely trained to locate and correct subluxations. Enjoy this month’s cases and see more next month. 

High blood pressure, pain, and loss of smell after auto accidents.

A 58-year-old woman developed high blood pressure as well as right shoulder, right shoulder blade, and mid-back pain after a car accident a month before her visit. The case history revealed that she also had lost her sense of smell (anosmia) nine years earlier, after a previous auto accident. 

She was under chiropractic care for six months during which time she had 84 visits. Her sense of smell returned after five months of chiropractic care. In addition, she reported a significant decrease in pain from her original chief complaint of right shoulder, right scapular, and mid-back pain since her previous auto accident. (1) 

Poor posture in an 85-year-old man.

An 85-year-old male patient presented to a chiropractic office with a chief complaint of difficulty walking and poor posture. He had difficulty standing up from a chair with no arms and was also unsteady on his feet. The patient was receiving medical care from various physicians for pre-existing health problems. 

Various chiropractic techniques were used to analyze and correct subluxations found in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions. Over the course of chiropractic care, the patient was able to get up from a chair with ease and had noticeable improvements in posture, gait, balance, and coordination. He was able to decrease his prescription medication usage. (2)

If you know anyone who may be experiencing these issues, please share this article with them and encourage them to make an appointment with us. Call 517.627.4547 today!

  1. Carney CL, MacCarthy M, Girdis DC. Resolution of post-traumatic anosmia following Network Spinal Analysis care: a case study. Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research. February 27, 2017:8-14.
  2. Moseson N. Improved gait, balance, and coordination in an 85-year-old male undergoing subluxation-based chiropractic care: a case study. Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research. February 9, 2017:1-4.

Is it Really a Medical Breakthrough?

Every week media headlines tell us about another “medical breakthrough” whether it be for cancer, autism, depression, Alzheimer’s, obesity, glaucoma, the common cold, or hangnails. But then a funny thing happens – we don’t hear about it anymore. Our lives go on and so do the diseases. What happened? 

It turns out that most of the “breakthroughs” are fake news (to coin a phrase). Why? Because it sells. Who doesn’t hope that they (whoever they are) will finally cure (fill in the blank)? And we read all about it.

Recently researchers did something the media doesn’t often do – they did follow-ups of the so-called cures. They were found to be just so much hot air. They couldn’t be replicated by other scientists. (1) 

In an interview, lead author Dumas-Mallet advises: “When a study is an initial study, even if it’s very exciting and amazing … it still needs to be confirmed.” (2) 

Remember Ronald Reagan’s famous dictum, “Trust, but verify.”

  1. Harris R. Reports of medical breakthroughs don’t prove out. Health News from NPR. March 6, 2017. http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/03/06/518802242/reports-of-medical-breakthroughs-often-dont-prove-out 
  2. Dumas-Mallet E, Smith A, Boraud T, Gonon F. Poor replication validity of biomedical association studies reported by newspapers. Published February 21, 2017.

Why stay subluxation-free?

Questions and Answers About Chiropractic

Why stay subluxation-free?

The chiropractic profession that was founded by Dr. DD Palmer in 1895 is based on the fact that internal structural distortions called subluxations can cause serious health problems. 

Subluxations stress your nervous system and interfere with communication among your organs, glands, muscles, and other body parts – including your brain and your immune system. 

Subluxations can be caused by any trauma: difficult birth, falls, accidents, emotional upset, chemical toxicity, overwork, or a combination of factors (i.e. physical, chemical or emotional stress while you are tired, overworked, malnourished, etc.).

 People sometimes ask how chiropractic can improve their health. The answers depend on whom you ask. For example, a woman now free of monthly pain may say, “Chiropractic is for menstrual problems.” A pregnant woman may say, “Chiropractic is for a comfortable pregnancy.” A mother whose child was helped may say, “Chiropractic is for ear infections (or fevers or asthma or colic).” A teacher may say, “Chiropractic is for dyslexia, vision, and learning disorders.” Another person may say “Chiropractic is for headaches,” while still others may declare chiropractic is for backaches, hearing problems, disc problems, arthritis, high or low blood pressure, or a host of other problems.

Others use chiropractic as a way to maximize sports performance, improve overall health, and enhance balance, strength, and fitness. 

In addition to all of the above, chiropractic can help everyone live a drug-free, healthy lifestyle.   Subluxations are epidemic in our society; most people have subluxations and don’t know it. For that reason, everyone needs periodic chiropractic checkups.

Call us to make an appointment today!

(517) 627-4547