Researching Chiropractic: Tremors, Breech Baby, Headaches

Chiropractic clinical case histories have been a regular feature of our patient newsletter since its inception. There seems to be no limit to the health problems that respond to chiropractic care. How many people suffering, on drugs, or facing a life of limitation could be helped by chiropractic care? 

Probably most of them.

Essential tremors in a 75-year-old.

Essential tremors are one of the most common forms of involuntary movement disorders. They are most noticeable when eating and writing. This is not to be confused with Parkinson’s Disease where the patient’s movements occur while they are resting. According to some sources, approximately 5% of people over the age of 65 suffer from essential tremors

In this case, a 75-year-old man was suffering from essential tremors that were getting progressively worse over the prior four years. A chiropractic examination using radiographs (X-rays) and neurologic and orthopedic tests revealed vertebral subluxations in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine.

The patient’s subluxations were addressed (adjusted). He had three visits a week for four weeks and then was reevaluated at the 12th visit. 

At the reassessment, the patient reported that his tremors had improved by 50% since beginning care. The patient stated he was now able to write more efficiently and was now able to eat cereal with a spoon more easily. He continues chiropractic care with the hope that his tremors will eventually completely resolve. (1)

Breech Presentation.

A 30-year-old woman who was 39 weeks pregnant had a breech birth presentation (confirmed by ultrasound). She came to chiropractic care. She had never been to a chiropractor before but was referred to a pediatric chiropractic office because of the positive results another patient had seen from getting adjusted while pregnant. 

The Webster Technique was administered to her which consisted of a sacral adjustment and round ligament trigger point release.  The mother noted significant movement from the baby after the second adjustment. The fetal presentation was confirmed to have changed from frank breech to vertex position via an ultrasound done by her OB/GYN.

The patient came in a total of four times and received the exact same adjustment each visit. 

The patient went into labor within 48 hours after her last adjustment and gave birth to a baby girl through normal vaginal birth. There were no complications. (2)

Chronic headaches in a six-year-old. 

A 6-year-old boy had been suffering from chronic headaches for two years. He experienced these headaches every day or every other day. reported experiencing headaches described as stabbing and intense. 

Medical doctors could find no cause and prescriptions for ibuprofen were ineffective.  The pediatrician subsequently referred the patient to the nearest children’s hospital for further medical workup. 

The child was given an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and a CT scan (computer tomography) to access the cause.  All findings were negative. Referrals were also made to a “concussion specialist” and a neurologist without much help. The patient and his mother returned to his pediatrician who suggested chiropractic care. 

At the chiropractic office, subluxations were discovered in the child’s cervical spine (neck). The subluxations were corrected (adjusted). The child had10 visits over a 2-month period. After his 5th visit, his headaches disappeared and did not return.  10.6% of children experience headaches and few ever know about or receive chiropractic care. Most are placed on drugs and the cause (the subluxation) is never addressed. (3)

Do you know someone with any of these issues?

Please encourage them to make an appointment with us!

(517) 627-4547

  1. Bielke S, Britt J. Reduction of Essential Tremors in a 75-Year-Old Male Following Chiropractic Care: A Case Study & Review of the Literature. Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research ~ May 24, 2022 ~ Volume 2022 ~ Pages 71-78
  2. Poirier N, Loranger C. Resolution of Breech Presentation Confirmed by Ultrasound Following Webster Technique: A Case Report & Review of Literature. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic ~ May 13, 2022 ~ Pages 51-56
  3. Olsen R, Alcantara J. Resolution of Chronic Cervicogenic Headaches in a 6-Year-Old Male Following Care Directed at Vertebral Subluxations: A Case Report. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic. Vol 2014, # 4. Pp. 81-86. Dec. 12, 2014

Are MRIs accurate?

Do you think MRI findings are reliable and accurate?  Think again. 

Your MRI (as well as CT scan, X-ray, and lab work) shows something suspicious. However, you are fine. You got a “false positive” and it’s surprisingly common. (1) 

MRI

Chiropractors may hear a patient was told they need surgery because they are in pain and their MRI shows spinal degeneration or disc herniations. The surgeon is sharpening his scalpel. 

But MRI findings may have nothing to do with pain. It may be a coincidence. An MRI may reveal back, disc, or hip degeneration but no pain. Conversely, an MRI may show a normal spine, but the patient may have lots of pain. (2) 

And yes, people with terrible-looking MRIs can have lots of pain but that doesn’t mean the pain is due to what the MRI finds. It may be coincidental, not causative. That is why approximately half of spinal surgery fails (FBSS – failed back surgery syndrome). 

One research paper concluded: “False positive MRI scans may lead to unnecessary surgery.”  Recent research reveals that nearly 70% of all body MRI interpretations have at least one discrepancy (diagnostic error). (3,4)

What do we suggest?

No matter what the MRI, CT or other examinations show begin chiropractic care immediately. Many times, patients who were told they needed surgery responded beautifully to chiropractic adjustments and were saved from surgery and drugs.

Remember, your body has a powerful self-healing ability. Let us help open your healing channels and get your functioning as close to your ideal as possible so your body can heal itself. 

Call us today to make an appointment!

517-627 4547

1.Chambers S, Cooney A, Caplan N et al. The accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting meniscal pathology. J R Nav Med Serv 2014;100(2):157-60.
2.Brinjikji, W, Luetmer, P. Comstock, B., et. al. Systematic literature review of imaging features of spinal degeneration in asymptomatic. populations. American Journal of Neuroradiology, 36(4), 811-816. 2015.
3.Kostrubiak DE, DeHay PW, Ali N. et al. Body MRI Subspecialty Reinterpretations at a Tertiary Care Center: Discrepancy Rates and Error Types. American Journal of Roentgenology. 2020;215: 1384-1388. 10.2214/AJR.20.22797.
4.Palmer, WJ. Discrepancy Rates and Errors a Bigger Problem with Body MRI Than Realized. October 16, 2020.5.5. Cod Liver Oil: The Number One Superfood by Krispin Sullivan, CN., JANUARY 4, 2021https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/cod-liver-oil-the-number-one-superfood/

Chiropractic Discovery: Where did modern chiropractic come from?

We say “modern chiropractic” because spinal care is thousands of years old and found in cultures all over the world.

But this natural, drug-free, powerful, and yet safe healing art was, as happens too often, lost amidst the sands of time. Mankind then became infatuated with drugs, chemicals, and surgery.

Spinal care was rediscovered in 1895 by Dr. Daniel David Palmer who practiced in Davenport, Iowa. DD Palmer was a magnetic healer (energy healer), scientist, and researcher who “accidentally” restored a man’s deafness by adjusting his spine. This discovery was the seed from which modern chiropractic grew.

This newspaper ad, “Are You Sick and Disheartened”, was one of a series of broadsides from the turn of the century. Dr. Palmer describes his old/new discovery and invites the public to discover for themselves this amazing drug-free, natural, safe, and powerful healing art, science, and philosophy. The list of people suffering from nearly every condition who benefitted from his “hand ministrations” (his original name for chiropractic) was impressive. Many people traveled far and wide to experience and benefit from DD Palmer’s discovery.

Dr. Palmer opened a school to teach others; soon his students spread to all parts of the US, Canada, Europe, and beyond.

This made-in-America healing art has brought relief, health, and healing to millions of people from infants to the elderly and everyone in between. Please tell your friends and relatives that there is a safe alternative to drugs and surgery that has no side effects – except satisfaction!

Researching Chiropractic: Eczema, ADHD, Meniere’s

Chiropractic clinical case histories have been a regular feature of our patient newsletter since its inception. There seems to be no limit to the health problems that respond to chiropractic care. How many people suffering, on drugs, or facing a life of limitation could be helped by chiropractic care? 

Probably most of them.

Eczema, Ear infections in a 28-month-old

A 28-month-old boy suffering from eczema, ear infections, and poor balance was brought in for chiropractic care.

The child had a persistent rash since the time of his first birthday. The mother tried numerous emollients and lotions without success to help with the intense itching.

Subluxation-focused chiropractic adjustments were administered. The child had 27 visits over a 3-month period. At his 3-month re-assessment, his mother reported his eczema to be gone. The patient remains under regular chiropractic care and experienced only one eczema outbreak over the following 3 years. His ear infections resolved, and his balance improved. (1)

ADHD in a 5-year-old

A 5-year-old boy was brought to a chiropractic office for an examination, for the detection and correction of subluxations. Vertebral subluxations were located, and the child received a total of 54 adjustments in the upper cervical (upper neck), thoracic (mid-back), lumbar (lower back), and sacrum over six months of care. The mother noted improvements in behavior. (2)

A 63-year-old woman with Meniere’s

Meniere’s disease is characterized by a spinning sensation (vertigo), hearing loss, ear ringing (tinnitus), and ear pressure. Vertigo may be so severe that the sufferer could experience severe nausea and imbalance. 

This is the case of a 63-year-old woman who presented to a chiropractic office with a 10-year medical history of right-sided Meniere’s disease that included tinnitus, hearing loss, and vertigo. Medical care included surgery: cutting her right vestibular (cranial) nerve that was believed to be causing the problem. The surgery failed to reduce and/or resolve original symptoms.

Eventually, she decided to explore chiropractic care. A chiropractic examination revealed a vertebral subluxation of the first cervical (C-1 or atlas) vertebra. These are the vertebrae immediately below the skull. Her atlas vertebra was adjusted, and her Meniere’s symptoms were painlessly and non-surgically reduced with eventual complete resolution. (3)

Do you know someone with any of these issues?

Please encourage them to make an appointment with us!

(517) 627-4547

  1. Herring R, Piehl L. Resolution of Eczema, Ear Infections & Balance Problems in a Boy Undergoing Chiropractic Care to Reduce Vertebral Subluxation: A Case Study & Review of the Literature. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic ~April 18, 2022, ~ Volume 2022 ~ Pages 26-32
  2. Boman C, Stolarski K. Improvement in ADHD Symptomatology Following Chiropractic in a 5-Year-Old Male: A Case Report & Review of the Literature. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic ~ Volume 2022 ~ May 2, 2022, Pages 33-43
  3. Pennington D, Miller JD. Successful Chiropractic Management of a Patient with Meniere’s Disease post-Vestibular Nerve Section: A Case Report. Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research ~ November 30, 2015, ~ Pages 34-40.

Traditional Eating & Myocardial Infarction

Myocardial infarction (MI) was almost non-existent in 1900. Doctors thinking about specializing in heart ailments were told that they’d starve because heart disease was so rare, that they might see only one case in their entire career. 

MI is when there is a massive blood clot leading to obstruction of a coronary artery and consequent death of the heart muscle. 

Myocardial infarction

By 1960, there were at least 500,000 MI deaths per year in the US. What lifestyle changes had caused this increase? What made MI go from rare to the number one killer? Three words: hydrogenated vegetable oils. 

For all human history, the only oils or fats (they are the same) that were used were those that were found in nature: olive oil, coconut oil, butter, tallow, lard, chicken fat, goose, and duck fat (mostly saturated fats). 

Good fat consumption is essential.

In 1900 egg consumption was three times what it was in 1956 and corn oil was unavailable, and Mis didn’t exist. Good fats don’t cause heart disease, but bad fats do.

Today, we have cheap seed oils that are created under high pressure and temperature and are damaging to the cardiovascular system: canola oil, soy oil, corn oil, sunflower seed, cottonseed, safflower, and other “seed” oils (mostly unsaturated fats). Another dangerous product is margarine. These oils cause inflammation of the heart’s arteries and promote blockages. 

If you’d like to live a healthy, long life do yourself and your family a favor and ditch the hydrogenated vegetable oils for traditional fats. (4) 

  1. The Oiling of America. By Sally Fallon and Mary G. Enig. https://www.westonaprice.org/oiling-of-america-in-new-york/

Posture and Depression

Research shows that poor posture or abnormal spinal alignment can take years off your life! And create stress associated with mental depression and other disorders. If that doesn’t tell you posture is important, what does?

For over a century chiropractic care has been improving posture and function. As you continue through your care in our office you will notice drastic improvements in your posture as well as your overall health. Including your mental attitude. There have been many studies relating posture to physical and mental health.

posture and depression

Depression

Researchers found that people who were depressed experienced an improved mood after they changed their posture to be more upright. In one study sixty-one men suffering from mild to moderate depression were chosen to sit with their usual posture or upright posture. Changes in facial expression, fatigue, and speech were assessed. 

Results

Those who assumed better posture had less fatigue compared to those keeping their usual posture. Also, the upright group exhibited less negative affect and lower anxiety. It seems that developing good posture habits can help you feel more confident, energetic, and happy. If you’re slouching as you read this, pause and pull your shoulder blades back and together, relax your shoulders down away from your ears, and look up. The more you work on it, the easier it will get, and simple changes like this can result in a noticeable difference in how you feel day in and day out.  (1, 2)

Severity of Depression

It was found that there was a relation between the severity of depressive symptoms and the degree of spinal curvature. This was especially noticed in working environments. (3) 

Chiropractic helps promote a natural body alignment. Do you know anyone who is miserable and sad all the time?  Send them our way.

Call us to make an appointment today!

(517) 627-4547

  1. Wilkes C, Kydda R, Sagarb M, Broadbenta E. Upright posture improves effect and fatigue in people with depressive symptoms. Psychiatry, Vol. 54, March 2017, Pp. 143-149. 
  2. Canales JZ, Fiquer JT, Campos RN et el. Investigation of associations between recurrence of major depressive disorder and spinal posture alignment: A quantitative cross-sectional study. Gait Posture, 2017 Feb; 52:258-264.
  1. Kim YK. The Association between Working Posture and Workers’ Depression Healthcare (Basel). 2022 Mar 3;10(3):477.

Your most protected organ

Did you know that your brain and spinal cord (called the central nervous system because they are in the center of your body) are the only organs in your body surrounded by solid bone? Your brain is surrounded by your skull and your spinal cord, (an extension of your brain that goes down your back) is surrounded by the bones of your spine. The column of bones going down your back is called the spinal column or vertebral column. 

protected organ

This simple fact tells a lot about the importance of the brain and spinal cord; they play a vital role in the health of the human body. 

Many, many muscles, ligaments, tendons, discs, and meninges are connected to your spine. They attach from your spine to your head, arms, legs, shoulders, hips – just about all your body structure. That’s why you keep stable as you sit, stand, walk and move. Without them, you would be a pile of disconnected bones laying on the ground. Yeech!

The job of your chiropractor is to keep your head, spine, hips, discs, ligaments, muscles, tendons, and the rest in proper alignment. You should be straight from the front, and from the side, it should have natural curves. If you are not properly aligned, you’ll lose energy, and have possible nerve interference going to internal organs that cause dis-ease (body malfunction) and even mind/body problems.

This is our specialty – keeping you and your family in balance, alignment, and with peak energy.  Thank you for being part of our practice.

Call us to make an appointment today!

(517) 627-4547

Researching Chiropractic: Defiant behavior, GERD, High BP

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

Non-verbal and defiant behavior in a 3-year-old

A 3-year-old girl who was non-verbal and had been exhibiting defiant-like behavioral issues since age two was brought in for chiropractic care. She was unable to connect with family members verbally, emotionally, and physically. Medical interventions, such as speech therapy, failed to make significant improvements.

Chiropractic adjustments were given to address her vertebral subluxations. She received care once a week for 20 weeks.

The mother reported that she was able to start communicating and connecting with her family, loved ones, and the outside world with no complications following the delivery of chiropractic care.  Improvements included falling asleep and quality of sleep, ability to concentrate, attention and focus. In addition, she was no longer displaying defiant-like behaviors. (1)

High blood pressure in a 52-year-old woman

A 52-year-old woman with a chief complaint of high blood pressure began chiropractic care. Her initial blood pressure reading was 185/90 mmHg.  She was advised by an MD to take medication but decided to seek chiropractic care first. 

She received one adjustment a week for 12 weeks. Adjustments were needed in the cervical (neck), and thoracic (mid-back) regions of the spine as well as the pelvis. At her second visit, her BP was reduced to 165/88 mmHg. At the 7th office visit, BP proved to have significantly decreased to a reading of 130/86 mmHg and by the 12th visit, it had reduced to 106/62 mmHg. The experience, in this case, has been found to be consistent with other studies showing chiropractic’s benefit for hypertension. (2)

Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD)

A seven-month-old girl suffering from unresolved acid reflux for two months was brought in for chiropractic care. Pediatrician-prescribed drugs (Pepcid T and Zantac) were ineffective. The child was unable to sleep through the night due to the pain and discomfort from being gassy and constipated. 

By week four, the mother says her daughter is like “a new baby!” The mother has taken her off all reflux medications and her signs and symptoms have subsided.  The child was now responding to others, pleasant, and sleeping well. (3)

Do you know anyone suffering from any of these health issues?

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. Hock S, Miller, C. Resolution of Defiant Behavior and Improved Speech in a Non-Verbal Toddler Following Reduction of Vertebral Subluxation: A Case Study. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic ~ March 25, 2022 ~ Pages 17-21
  2. Martin S, Rauch M. Reduction in Blood Pressure Following Chiropractic Care in a 52-Year-old Female: A Case Study & Review of Literature. Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research ~ March 14, 2022 ~ Volume 2022 ~ Pages 65-70
  3. Scott Gill S, Gill. Resolution of Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disorder in an Infant Following Chiropractic Care: A Case Study. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic ~ April 8, 2022 ~ Pages 22-25

The Earthquakes in Your Life

Earthquakes are the movement of the earth’s crust. They may be on land or under the sea (where they can cause tsunamis). The magnitude or strength of an earthquake is measured by the Richter scale.  Each numerical jump is on the order of ten (i.e., a 7.0 earthquake is ten times more powerful than a 6.0). 

earthquake

The Richter scale goes from 1 to 8 and even higher! Since 1900 the earth has averaged the following:

  • One “great” earthquake each year
  • 18 “major” earthquakes (7-7.9) each year
  • 120 “strong” earthquakes (6-6.9) each year
  • 49,000 “minor” earthquakes (3-3.9) each year.

That’s not all – there seem to be no pause to these earthly events as there are 8,000 “very minor” (1-2) earthquakes every DAY! Every Day!!

So, you see our earth is far from an inert mass – it’s “dancing” all the time. We live on a constantly shimmering, shuddering, pulsating planet.

All Shook Up

Are our lives any different? We may experience a cataclysmic “great” event every year or so. An event that can shake us to our very core. It might be getting a new job or being fired from an old one, the birth of a child or the death of a loved one -pleasant or unpleasant, these are often life-changing.

Thankfully great events are rare, but we experience less earth-shattering “major” or “strong” events that touch and shake us up in many ways.  And many more “minor” events that we may experience every day or every hour!

Even among those seemingly settled people we know, living quiet, perhaps dull lives, there is so much more than meets the eye. Under the surface (no matter how deeply covered) you’ll find a roiling, crashing, cascading collection of dreams, passions, fears, hopes, tragedies, and triumphs.

Under the surface, you will always find a noble spirit yearning to break free. 

Can we break through our crust, our limitations?

Yes,  we can, but for too many, the answer is “no,” they will continue to exist and live lives of “quiet desperation” as Thoreau deemed it.

Then there are others who may look into their hearts and declare, “I will grow out of this rut, I will reach for the stars, I will thrive.”

It is not necessary for us to wait for a major earthquake to change our lives – even a minor message can get through and begin our process of healing and growth – we just need to hang on to it and stay for the ride. 

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is the most popular drug-free, non-surgical, natural, scientific, and philosophical healing art in the world. Millions of people, from infancy to the elderly, have found their health restored by chiropractic care.

Imagine healing without drugs and surgery! Your body has an amazing healing ability; the job of your chiropractor is to ensure that your healing potential is as close to 100% as possible by freeing your body of deep stress – the subluxation. 

Subluxation is a physical distortion of your spine and structural system that stresses your nervous system and weakens your muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, and discs. Sometimes subluxations result in pain and stress, and sometimes subluxations are pain-free. Chiropractors spend thousands of hours in chiropractic school learning how to locate and correct (adjust) subluxations. 

Do you have any subluxations in your body? Do your children? Does your spouse? Come in for a chiropractic evaluation and discover why millions of people visit their neighborhood Doctor of Chiropractic every year.

No Pain Means I’m Healthy?

Sometimes I think it’s a shame

When I get feeling better when I’m feeling no pain

Sometimes I think it’s a sin

When I feel like I’m winning when I’m losing again

Gordon Lightfoot’s “Sundown”

Using Painkillers

It’s sad when people are dependent on drugs, especially painkillers. While a blessing to those who are suffering, painkillers do not correct the cause of the pain, can cause addictions and can have serious side effects and adverse reactions.

Pain, per se, is the result of tissue damage. Getting rid of pain with drugs does not deal with the cause of the pain. 

Chiropractors are famous for telling people that their body is the world’s greatest drugstore. That means that when functioning properly, with life energy flowing and communicating to all its parts, the body will make all the drugs it needs – and it’s all for free! Of course, it’s important to give your body good raw materials (good nutrition) from which to make your internal “drugs” (chemicals). 

It is for that reason that people often say that DC stands not only for “Doctor of Chiropractic” but also “Doctor of Cause.” 

Chiropractors are known for helping people with (neuromusculoskeletal or MSK) pain. Let’s break up the word – neuro (nerve) musculo (muscle) skeletal (skeleton) pain. In lay terms, we’re describing back, neck, hip, arm, leg, hand, wrist, knee, and many other pains.

Why wait until you have pain or feel sick? 

Chiropractors specialize in locating and correcting (adjusting) a condition that weakens the muscles, joints, ligaments, discs, spine, and other body parts. It’s called a subluxation and it’s a “silent killer”, painlessly and slowly undermining your body’s integrity and health. Like termites, subluxations can undermine your health even if on the surface you are feeling “okay.” Your energy may not be ideal, your sleep may not be restful, and your digestion and elimination may not be what they once were – why wait until pain occurs?

Even though you are pain-free, don’t assume your body is subluxation-free. Chiropractors can locate the hidden subluxations that are undermining your health now before obvious symptoms occur. if you are not feeling 100%, get thee to a chiropractor to ensure you are free from subluxations. 

Getting checked and adjusted for subluxations will help you and your family stay healthy your entire life.

Call us to make an appointment today!

(517) 627-4547