Do Away With Levels Of Care And Set The Truth Free

By Joe Strauss

Perhaps we are at the point in the development of our model of chiropractic that we should drop the concept of levels of care and just have one level—chiropractic care. At this one and only level, we check the entire spine for vertebral subluxation and adjust if necessary wherever and whenever we find the need, recognizing that different people may need different adjustments and even the same person may need different adjustments from day to day. We could do away with different kinds of care from initial or intensive, or whatever we call it, to wellness or maintenance care. What is it that is different about our care in these situations anyway? Nothing! We always check for subluxations and adjust if necessary each time the practice member comes in. Which is more important, once a day or once a week? They are both equally important.


Perhaps, if we did away with these "levels" of care, we could get people to truly understand what we are doing. Maybe they would view us more like a gym or health club than a doctor treating them for a condition that they hope in time will be eliminated. (In our case the "condition" is vertebral subluxation). Typically, people don't go to their health club on a temporary basis, until a condition (i.e., being out of shape or overweight) is alleviated. They go because they know it is something they should do for their health. They go because they feel healthier, have more energy, and/or are stronger when they go on a regular basis. Some may stop going after they lose the weight or get in shape (and many even before they do), but that is not because they think that they no longer need to go.

I think sometimes we are afraid to be up front with our practice members and tell them from the start what we are about. We are afraid to tell them what they can expect from us and what we expect from them. So, we explain what we are doing in terms they understand or what we think they will understand. People will decide when they no longer want or need chiropractic care. They are free to do that, but we should do everything we can to give them an accurate perception of the kind of care we offer. To do that we need to present chiropractic differently, even different than what every other chiropractor is presenting. They can use chiropractic however they want for as long as they want, but it is in both our and their best interest to know up front that chiropractic is not a treatment for a condition. It is for a better life expression for the duration of an individual's existence.

Why do we still use levels of care? Could we possibly move past this? #Chiropractic #UpperCervical #UCCare... https://t.co/sC4P2PbrUD

— Travis Robertson (@theuppercblog) April 28, 2016

Evidence Based Care Is Medical?

by Matthew McCoy DC, MPH

Because of the kind of work I do I attend a lot of chiropractic seminars, conventions etc. And since I run with the subluxation centered crowd these are usually the types of seminars and conventions I attend. I also grew up around this faction of the profession from an early age and have heard and seen countless presentations by subluxation centered chiropractors.

One thing I have been hearing quite a bit of from the stage and on social media is this notion that "Evidence Based Health Care" is "medical."

This makes no sense.

I understand chiropractors’ concerns in regards to the inappropriate interpretation and use of the concept of evidence based practice – that isn’t the issue. The issue is that requesting or requiring evidence regarding our care or our claims is considered "medical" or that research in and of itself is "medical" and therefore bad.

If a chiropractor tells me or shouts from the stage that they "don’t need no evidence" then I have a couple of questions for them:
1.  How do you determine that the practice member lying on your table is in need of an adjustment?
2.  How do you determine whether or not the subluxation was reduced or corrected?
Because unless you are just walking into your adjusting rooms and pushing haphazardly on the spine in no particular direction and for no particular reason then – you need evidence.

You need evidence that a subluxation is present.

You need evidence of its characteristics.

If you don’t have those then you have nothing.

So, now extrapolate your individual experience with this patient to the population level. We need evidence regarding the population level characteristics of subluxation as it manifests in the masses.

In research this is called epidemiology.

Evidence based practice is simply helping patients make decisions about their health care based upon:
1.  What does the scientific evidence say?
2.  Does the scientific evidence fit the clinical state and circumstance of my practice member?
3.  What does the patient want to do?
All three of these are overseen by the doctor who helps the patient make decisions about their health care.

It’s important to note that the absence of evidence does not mean that chiropractic (or any other care) is not warranted for the practice member. It just means there is no scientific evidence. Absent such evidence the decision to undergo care is based on the remaining factors.

It is also important to point out that there is an evidence hierarchy and that there are higher and lower levels of research. So even in a case where there is not a single case study, never mind a randomized controlled clinical trial, that does not mean there is no evidence. In situations like that one may need to rely on basic science research to bridge the evidence gap in order to make an informed decision.

So next time you hear a chiropractor say "we don’t need no evidence", do us all a favor and educate them on what evidence based practice really means.

As always, I look forward to comments, feedback and suggestions.

Matthew McCoy DC, MPH
Chair – Research Committee
International Federation of Chiropractors & Organizations
matthewmccoy@comcast.net

What do you think? Is Evidence-Based Practice Only Medical? #EBP #Medical #Chiropractic #Research
Posted by Travis Robertson on Thursday, March 31, 2016

What do you think? Is Evidence-Based Practice Only Medical? #EBP #Medical #Chiropractic #Research https://t.co/B3oeDPU1gM

— Travis Robertson (@theuppercblog) March 31, 2016

Chronic Shoulder Problems and Upper Cervical Care: A Case Series

A case series published on July 31, 2014, in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research documented chiropractic care helping patients with chronic shoulder problems. The authors note how common shoulder problems are accounting for 16% of all musculoskeletal complaints with a yearly incidence of 15 new episodes per 1,000 patients seeking primary care.

This case series documented the care of two male patients with chronic shoulder problems. The first patient was a 55-year-old man who went to an upper cervical chiropractor with a chief complaint of right shoulder pain. Seven months earlier, the man had fallen off a 10-foot ladder and landed on his left shoulder, which was not the one he was suffering with at the time of his visit to the upper cervical chiropractor. His examination showed restricted range of motion for his right shoulder. A chiropractic examination showed areas of sensitivity in the man's neck along with postural imbalances of the spine. From the findings, it was determined that subluxations in the neck were present.

The second patient was a 60-year-old man who had pain in both shoulders for one year before coming to the upper cervical chiropractor. He did not have a history of an accident or trauma before his problem started. His examination showed range of motion reductions in his shoulders and his neck. It was also determined that this patient had a subluxation of his neck.

Specific upper cervical chiropractic adjustments were given to both patients according to their chiropractic analysis. The study reported that the results of the chiropractic care for both men were very positive. The 55-year-old man with pain in his right shoulder showed a complete return to normal shoulder movement within a few visits. The recovery was such that the man went on vacation shortly after his upper cervical chiropractic care.

The second man with pain in both his shoulders had a complete return to normal motion in both his shoulders after his first upper cervical chiropractic adjustment. Additionally, his pain was reduced to minimal after the first visit.

The authors noted that although both patients had issues with their shoulders, the chiropractic care given was exclusively to the upper neck, (upper cervical chiropractic care). Both patients were mainly concerned with their ability to move their shoulders, and both regained total range of motion as a result of their chiropractic care. In their conclusion, the authors wrote, "This case series provides support on the use chiropractic adjustments directed to the upper cervical spine in patients with subluxation, shoulder pain and dysfunction."

(Editor's note: Remember the objective of upper cervical care is to correct head neck misalignment that is interfering with proper brain to body communication. When this is corrected the body functions at a higher level and can often correct other problems more efficiently on its own. Please do not confuse upper cervical care as a treatment for any condition, disease or symptom.)

A Boy with a "Tic" and Upper Cervical Care

In the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research, a case study was published on November 18, 2013, documenting the case of a child who was medically diagnosed with a "tic" disorder being helped by chiropractic care.

The study authors begin by explaining that, "Tics are described as rapid involuntary contraction of skeletal muscle in functionally related groups. They are nonrhythmic stereotyped movements or sounds. These tics occur primarily between the ages of 3-10. Tics lasting over the span of 1 year are considered to be chronic."

In this case, an 8-year-old boy was brought to the chiropractor after his pediatrician diagnosed him with a tic disorder. The study reports that, according to the boy's mother, her son began having symptoms at the age of 6. Symptoms started with head nodding and twisting multiple times a day. The boy's mother was concerned that this problem could affect her son's self-esteem and might keep her son from experiencing a normal childhood.

A chiropractic examination was performed which included a postural analysis, palpation, thermography, range of motion, and specific postural spinal x-rays. The conclusion of these tests was that there was a subluxation in the upper cervical spine. A subluxation is when a vertebrae of the spine is misaligned and creates some form of interference to the function of the nervous system. Many in chiropractic feel that the upper neck is the most critical area as it is so close to the brain stem.

Specific chiropractic care was begun for the correction of subluxation. After the first visit, it was reported that the boy had a decrease in the frequency of the tics he was experiencing. Prior to the second visit, the frequency returned, but the tics were lower in intensity. Following the second adjustment, the tics subsided.

A reevaluation was performed 17 days after the onset of care. At that point, the boy had not experienced any tics since before his second adjustment visit. At a one year follow up, the mother stated her son had not experienced a single tic episode.

In their conclusions the authors wrote, "This case report demonstrates the improvement of one male child with a tic disorder that underwent chiropractic treatment. The results in this case lend support to the subluxation based care of children with motor tic disorders."

(Editor's note: Remember the objective of upper cervical care is to correct head neck misalignment that is interfering with proper brain to body communication. When this is corrected the body functions at a higher level and can often correct other problems more efficiently on its own. Please do not confuse upper cervical care as a treatment for any condition, disease or symptom.)

Amazing What The Living Body Knows

Your Body KNOWS

by Dr. Jason Watts

In today’s world, there is a doctor or specialist for every part of your body. The best doctor ever created works to keep us healthy and alive 24 hours a day. It is inside of us and it is referred to as the innate intelligence. Regardless of your beliefs, it is self evident, and we could all agree that life is intelligent.  This intelligence within us…

■Draws the blueprint and organizes every living organ for your body

■Regulates, directs and controls the body all of the time

■Knows when something is wrong inside of you and how to fix it.

■Rebuilds all tissues, organs, muscles and bones

■Tells you when to sneeze, when to blow your nose, when to go bathroom, when to sweat and when to shiver

■Raises the skin into a blister when the skin is burned

■Heals a broken bone or cut on the skin

■Tells you when to blink your eyes

■Grows your toe nails, fingernails, and hair

■Beats your heart and puts air into your lungs

■Regulates your body temperature

■Tells you when you are tired, thirsty or hungry

■Gets any sick organ or part of the body well

■KEEPS YOU ALIVE!

This intelligence uses our nerve system to coordinate and maintain us in a living and hopefully optimally healthy state. If there is an interruption or disturbance to your body’s inborn wisdom, odds are you are Subluxated.

SUBLUXATION is a condition that occurs when the top two vertebrae in your spine misalign causing the messages from the brain to the body to become distorted due to the pressure placed upon the Brainstem. Living in this state, your body is breaking down and beginning to malfunction.  The longer you live in this state, the less of your potential your body will express.  Sickness and/or disease can result.

Upper Cervical Care And The Patient With Parkinson's Disease

CASE STUDY

Reduction in Symptoms Related to Parkinson's Disease Concomitant with Subluxation Reduction Following Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

Jonathan Chung DC & Justin Brown DC

Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research ~ March 14, 2011 ~ Pages 18-21

Abstract

Objective: To provide a detailed report on one case of a 67 year-old female with Parkinson’s disease under upper cervical chiropractic care.

Clinical Features: A 67 year-old female patient presenting to a private practice with an atlas subluxation complex as well as signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease that include weakness, tremors, scoliosis and rigidity.

Intervention and Outcomes: Over a period of 6 months, the patient was seen 19 times and was adjusted 12 times following the NUCCA protocol. Improvements in radiographic measurements, paraspinal thermography, and sEMG were recorded. Patient self-reported improvements in weakness, tremors, rigidity, and overall mobility.

Conclusion: The upper cervical subluxation may be a contributing factor to the symptomatic expression of Parkinson’s disease. Reduction of the subluxation with specific vectored correction may be a plausible, safe, and effective approach for managing PD. More research is warranted investigating the effects of upper cervical care and Parkinson’s Disease (PD).

----------------------------------------------

Editor's Note: Remember that upper cervical care is not a treatment for Parkinson's Disease. An individual with Parkinson's Disease will benefit from a good nerve supply free of interference due to head/neck misalignment (the objective of upper cervical care). Sometimes that improved function better enables the body to heal itself as is evident in this case of a woman with Parkinson's Disease.

Epilepsy, a Nine-Year Old Girl and Upper Cervical Care

Upper Cervical Care in a Nine-Year-Old Female
With Occipital Lobe Epilepsy: A Case Study

FROM: Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research 2011 (Feb 3): 10–17

Susan Hooper PhD, DC, Allison Manis DC

Objective: The reduction of an upper cervical subluxation (head/neck misalignment) through (upper cervical) chiropractic care in the case of a child with occipital lobe epilepsy is described.

Clinical Features: A nine-year-old girl presented with uncontrollable blinking of the left eye and fainting spells, previously diagnosed by a neurologist as occipital lobe epilepsy.

Intervention and Outcomes: High velocity and light force adjustments (Blair technique) were applied to the first cervical vertebra on three separate occasions. Other low force adjustments (Activator) were administered to various levels of the spinal column where vertebral subluxations existed. The patient’s uncontrolled eye twitching decreased immediately following the first upper cervical adjustment and ceased completely 3 weeks following the final adjustment. The twitching has not resurfaced in approximately 2 years.

Conclusions: This case report demonstrated resolution of signs and symptoms associated with occipital lobe epilepsy in a child following the reduction of an upper cervical subluxation.

Being Thankful for Upper Cervical Care

Not sure who wrote this but I came across it a while back and thought it would be fun to share today.

H aving
A
P roperly functioning nervous system
P uts
Y our

T otal
H ealth
A t a much higher state of vitality & resistance.
N erve interference is caused by head/neck misalignment,
K nown as
S ubluxations. These subluxations
G reatly reduce the
I nherent natural healing ability of the body. Few things are more
V aluable than your health. Make a decision to
I nvest in an optimal spine and an optimal
N ervous system. In this holiday season, be sure to give the
G ift of Health, by telling your family & friends about Upper Cervical Care.

Epilepsy and Upper Cervical Care

by Dr. Fred Barge

My first encounter with epilepsy came in my first two weeks at The Palmer School of Chiropractic, April 1951. I had just turned 18 that January and I was a very young and green Fred Barge that entered P.S.C.

I obtained a room in a rooming house and the person in the room next to mine, was a man of about 35 years of age, his name was Bob, a patient at the B.J. Palmer Research Clinic. Bob stood about 6 foot and 3 inches and weighed in at least 225 pounds, a towering figure indeed. One evening I was studying at my desk in my room, door open, I began to feel a presence behind me, I turned and there stood Bob, a vacant look on his face. I spoke to him and received no reply but in an instance he fell to the floor in a violent grand mal seizure, with loss of bladder and fecal control. I did what I could to move things so he would not hurt himself as he thrashed around, it seemed an eternity but he quieted down and an exhausted embarrassed man lie before me on my apartment floor soiled by his incontinent condition. Thus my introduction to epilepsy.

I helped him to the bathroom we shared and then into his room where he reclined and fell into a deep sleep. I did not see Bob until the next evening when his story unfolded. Some years ago, he was referred by a chiropractor to the B.J. Palmer Research Clinic for his epilepsy. After about 6 to 8 months care, he was in complete remission and he returned to his home state, Texas, to the care of his local chiropractor. He stated to me that he was completely free of the problem for over six years. He owned a bar in Texas and in a scuffle with a besotted patron he was struck on the head and the seizures returned. I don’t know if the epilepsy was ever brought under control again as I moved to a boarding house with some friends and lost track of Bob. However, in the B.J. Palmer Research Clinic, where I interned, a goodly number of epileptics were cared for, and in talking with my Father, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins, success stories in the care of children with epileptic seizures were common.

Coincidentally my first case in practice was an epileptic boy named Bob. He had the same massive grand mal seizures and as I recall he had two to three seizures a week. He was about 8 years of age, embarrassed by his problem, he was often truant from school and his parents had to literally force him to go. The drugs also made him lethargic and somewhat retarded acting and even on drugs he had seizures every week. After taking cervical and full spine x-rays of Bob, the young Barge, Neurocolometer, chirometer and portable toggle table in hand made house calls to care for the young man.

Soon after I cleared his Atlas (within the first two months of care) Bob ceased having seizures in the day time hours, he had them only at night. Once fully aware that he was free of them in the day a new boy blossomed forth, his parents cut down the drugs and he was soon drug free and going to school regularly. I even introduced him to my favorite hobby, fishing. There was a slough off the Mississippi River about 2 miles form his home and he became an avid fisherman. Yes, he still had a few spells at night, but by the time he was 16 he had been free of spells for 3 years, and was able to get his drivers license.

Today Bob still occasionally sees one of my associates and to my knowledge he is completely free of his problem. From this one case the word got out that Dr. Barge through chiropractic care, helped in epilepsy. And thus in my practice, I cared for many an epileptic patient with good and sometimes complete results. I even adjusted some epileptic dogs, one Cocker Spaniel named Susie. She ran freely in rural farm area near Lacrosse, most everyone in the farm community saw Susie have one of her frequent “fits”. Her master called and asked if I could help an epileptic dog, I stated chiropractic could help any creature with a backbone and I began adjusting Susie. When she subsequently recovered, the word again spread. I even had a gruff old male patient sign the referral space on my clinic entrance form saying “Susie Sent Me”.

Upon my questioning he said “if you fixed that dog you must be able to fix anything”. I have seen them all, Grand Mal, Petite Mal, the so called epileptic equivalent, psychomotor epilepsy, behavioral seizure (out bursts of foul words, spitting, etc.) Did I help them all, I believe so, and they all received some relief. Did some completely respond? Yes many. I had a farm boy who could drive a tractor again and work the farm, I had two brothers with 250 to 300 petite mal seizures a day, they wore football helmets as the seizures combined to make them lose their balance and fall. They both responded and finally had only 5-6 spells a day with just momentary blinking. Oh yes, I had results with epileptics.


Good Things To Do in Patient Management:

Stop high energy foods, care for them like diabetics, I’d say to their parents, no sugar, watch the sugar content of all foods, like catsup. Have the child get adequate rest, no exhaustion!

Upper Cervical Care
Correct the Occipital Atlanto Axial Subluxation (head/neck misalignment).


Most cases of Idiopathic Epilepsy have an upper cervical subluxation and if caught early on, the adjustment solves the problem. Clear the subluxation and leave it alone!

“Enuf” Said

Can Upper Cervical Care Ease Colic?

by Deb Donovan and Bob VanMetter

Almost all infants develop periods of fussiness. This is often referred to as colic. It has been defined as periods of irritability, fussiness and inconsolable crying in a healthy baby (that lasts for at least three hours a day, at least three days a week). But colic is actually a default diagnosis.

Pain from sources other than the gastrointestinal tract can be improperly diagnosed as colic. If a baby is crying inconsolably, it is very difficult to know if he is actually suffering from a digestive disturbance. There is a strong possibility, especially when there has been a history of birth trauma, that these babies are suffering from head and neck pain due to misalignments in the upper cervical (neck) area.

In a study looking at babies receiving upper cervical care for colic, 94 percent of parents saw improvement in their baby's behavior within two weeks of initiation of care. A little over half of these babies had already been unsuccessfully treated, usually by pharmacological means (Klougart et al., 1989). Another study found 91 percent of babies experienced a reduction in colicky behavior following as little as two upper cervical corrections (Nilsson, 1985).