Showing posts with label Migraines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Migraines. Show all posts

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Study Results: Migraine Headaches and NUCCA Care

NUCCA, Upper Cervical, Migraines, Study, Research, Headaches

http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/2824927

Atlas Spinal Care, a chiropractic clinic in Upland, CA, has announced that the results of a migraine case study on the use of atlas vertebra realignment to reduce migraine headache symptoms has just been published in the prestigious medical journal BioMed Research International. The report was co-authored by Dr. D. Gordon Hasick and Dr. H. Charles Woodfield III, two highly revered doctors in the NUCCA organization. The study indicated that the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA) protocol may be beneficial for people who suffer from this condition.

The study focused on 11 subjects, who were diagnosed to be suffering from migraine by a neurologist. Atlas misalignment was detected in each of them and the goal of the NUCCA treatment was to correct the position of the C1 vertebra. The chiropractic care was provided for 8 weeks. Results indicated a significant reduction in headache days although it was indicated that a future study with controls is needed to confirm the observations.

"While future research is needed to substantiate these initial findings, looking at the underlying physiology of migraine with cutting edge imaging while providing a low risk and effective treatment for migraine is exciting," said co-author Dr. H. Charles Woodfield III, Director of Research for the Upper Cervical Research Foundation in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Dr. Tymothy L. Flory, head and neck specialist and board certified NUCCA instructor said, "In this research study we measured significant improvement in quality of life reported by the migraine sufferers, and we are beginning to understand the physiological mechanism of what causes migraine headaches."

Atlas Spinal Care, which was founded by Dr. Flory, focuses restoring head and neck function, an approach he finds to be an effective migraine treatment in his office. In so doing, Dr. Flory and his team aim to help patients feel better and live bigger. Because he is so uniquely qualified in both understanding and treating this kind of pain, the clinic has become popular. While the clinic has always stood behind the effectiveness of the NUCCA treatment, the fact that this study has indicated its effectiveness enables them to push it forward with even more confidence. Dr. Flory also hopes that it will encourage more doctors to specialize in NUCCA protocol, so that more people across the country can find relief from their migraines.

Contact Atlas Spinal Care:

Dr. Tymothy L. Flory
909-982-9100
AtlasSpinalCare@gmail.com
2335 W Foothill Blvd Suite 20, Upland, CA 91786

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/2824927#ixzz3zcK3ClI6

(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.)

Study results are in! #Migraines #Headaches #NUCCA #UpperCervical
Posted by Travis Robertson on Thursday, April 7, 2016

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Upper Cervical Care and the Migraine

Migraine, 16 year old, upper cervical care
A case study published in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research on January 24, 2013 documents chiropractic helping a patient with migraine headaches. The study authors note that "Among children between the ages of 5-15 years, the prevalence of migraine headaches are at 10.6% while among those 15-19 years of age, it is as high as 28%."

According to the Headache Classification Subcommittee of the International Headache Society, Migraine headaches usually are one sided affecting one half of the head and pulsating in nature, lasting from 2 to 72 hours.  Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, photophobia (increased sensitivity to light), phonophobia (increased sensitivity to sound) and the pain is generally aggravated by physical activity. Up to one-third of people with migraine headaches perceive an aura: a transient visual, sensory, language, or motor disturbance which signals that the headache will soon occur.

In this case a 16 year old girl went to the chiropractor, with the consent of her parents, suffering from migraine headaches without aura.  Her history revealed that she had been suffering migraines since kindergarten, and with headaches for as long as she could remember. She described her headaches as a throbbing pain located in the frontal area, with these attacks occurring at a rate of 1-2 per week, and lasting approximately 2-3 hours per episode, occurring primarily at night.  Since puberty her headaches seemed to have gotten worse.  Over the years she had been prescribed approximately 15 different medications for her headaches.

A chiropractic examination and x-rays were performed. The examination showed postural abnormalities with the girl's head being tilted to one side, and the range of motion of her neck was restricted. Additional abnormal alignment findings were also noted from her examination. The specific x-rays taken showed spinal vertebrae in the upper neck being malpositioned, which were determined to be subluxations in her neck. 

A specific plan of correction for the subluxations was begun. The study authors noted that the results were immediate.  They recorded, "On the day following the patient's first visit, the patient reported noticing 'some' improvement in the intensity of her HA complaint. On her second visit and 5 days since her initial visit, the patient indicated no subjective complaints of headache that day."

Chiropractic checkups occurred regularly over a 5 year period to monitor the girls progress. The authors noted that, "According to the patient, her HA intensity being bearable without the need for medication and her headache attacks abated to approximately 2-4 migraines per month." 

(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.)

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Upper Cervical Care and the Chronic Migraine

Chronic, Migraines, upper cervical care, chiropractic
A study published in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research on July 22, 2013, documents the case of a 75-year-old woman suffering from migraines who was helped with chiropractic care. The Journal study reports that, "Migraine headaches are common and disabling, with an estimated 35 million US citizens experiencing a migraine in 2005."

A review of medical sources on migraines shows that the medical profession does not have an understanding as to the cause of migraines, and their only treatment is medication in an attempt to alleviate the pain.

However, the authors of this study suggest that, "Many investigations suggest that chiropractic care may be of benefit to patients suffering with headaches including migraines."

In this case, a 75-year-old woman presented herself to the chiropractor with migraines. She had been diagnosed with migraines as a teenager and suffered with them ever since. She had never been to a chiropractor prior to this time as reported in this case study. The woman reported that her migraine headaches were rated about an 8 out of 10, with 10 being the worst. She had taken numerous pain killers and anti-inflammatories in an attempt to help the problem.

The chiropractic examination and analysis including x-rays led to the conclusion that there was a subluxation at the upper neck known as the atlas. Based on this information, a specific form of upper neck adjustments was initiated to correct the subluxation in the upper cervical area of the neck.

The case study notes that after 10 weeks of care, the patient's migraines reduced from an 8 out of 10, to a 3 out of 10. The improvement was verified by examination procedures as well as by her medical physician. The study authors reported, "Upon re-evaluation with the patient’s medical doctor, the patient stated an improvement in the overall frequency and duration of migraines, as well as a reduction of her medications, but the exact dosages was not given."
 
(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.)

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

How Do I Tell If I Need Upper Cervical Care?

Upper cervical care, how do I know, Dr. Ben Hill
by Dr. Ben Hill

I’m going to venture to guess that, if you’re suffering from something that’s not obviously related to your spine that you didn’t wake up this morning and say,

“Eureka! I bet that upper cervical doctor is just the guy who can help.”

I’ll take no offense. In fact, it’s common and completely understandable that one doesn’t typically equate chiropractic care with conditions like digestive disorders, migraines,  ADHD, fatigue, fibromyalgia … or even multiple sclerosis. But when you consider that the nervous system controls just about every function in your body, it stands to reason that when something is compromising it? All sorts of not-so-great things can happen. It also stands to reason that, if we can reverse this situation, you may realize considerable relief or resolution to pain or conditions that are affecting your everyday life.

So how do you know if an Upper Cervical Chiropractic may be right for you? 

Here are a few questions to help you evaluate:

  • Do you suffer from headaches, earaches or backaches that medication or other treatment is not alleviating or resolving?
  • Do you or one of your family members regularly struggle to sleep through the night? Is the exhaustion leading to other health or relationship problems?
  • Do you have ongoing digestive issues that haven’t been solved through medication or dietary changes?
  • Do you have a child who isn’t responding well to ADHD, colic or autism-related medications or treatment?
  • Are you experiencing ongoing pain in your body?
  • Do you have vertigo, dizziness or  unexplained problems with your vision or hearing?
  • Are you at your wit’s end because nothing you’ve tried so far has helped you?
  • Do you want to feel confident that you can, and will, get your old self back?

If you answered “YES” to at least one of these questions, I may have a care plan that delivers the answers you’ve been looking for. While upper cervical care isn’t often the first thing people think of when struggling with frustrating, debilitating and life-altering conditions, we may well be the answer that’s (finally) the one for you.

 Can’t hurt to check it out, right?

(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.)

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Car Crashes, Vertigo, Migraines and Upper Cervical Care


Research, Upper Cervical Care, Car Crashes, Vertigo, Migraines
A recent case study from the Blair upper cervical chiropractic group reveals additional evidence linking head and neck trauma to migraine headaches and vertigo.  This case study is another example of what the upright MRI research is revealing. 
Here’s a quote from Dr. Lenarz’s case report: 
A 54 year-old female patient entered the office with complaints of migraines 1-2 times per week and extreme chronic neck pain and vertigo for the past 10 years. She was injured in a motor vehicle accident ten years prior to her first visit in our office.  The patient was seen 19 times over a period of 12 weeks. She received 3 upper cervical corrections during this time. The patient reported having 1 migraine 2 weeks after the first correction. Since that time, she has reported no migraine episodes, neck pain or vertigo.
Dr. Scott Rosa, upper cervical chiropractor from New York has been doing some amazing research with upright MRIs.  He’s been able to show that when someone has a misalignment in the upper neck it is actually changing the flow of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) to, from and through the brain.  CSF is the fluid that lubricates the brain and spinal cord.  This research is helping scientists to explain the results upper cervical chiropractors are seeing in their offices every day.
The upright MRI technology can show the obstruction at the first few bones in the neck and how this misalignment causes a backup of CSF and increased intracranial pressure. When the misalignment is corrected by an upper cervical procedure such as NUCCA, the studies show that the pressure decreases by 28.6%!  And the CSF flow becomes normal.
These changes in CSF, blood flow and intracranial pressure are likely linked to the results upper cervical chiropractors see with migraine patients and several other conditions, especially after a history of head or neck trauma.
(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.)

Friday, April 19, 2013

Dwyane Wade, Migraines and Upper Cervical


Dwyane Wade, Migraines and NUCCA

by Dr. William R. Davis Jr.


One of NBA Basketball‘s most exciting players Dwyane Wade continues to battle migraine headaches.

"Most of the time it lasts for four days," Wade said. "This time, the effects are going into the third day. I’m doing everything with the doctors, but there are certain things you can’t control."

Or can you?


Is it possible that there is an underlying cause associated with your migraines Dwyane?

If you got to the underlying cause would it be possible to prevent these migraines?

Would it be possible to eliminate them completely?


Dwyane Wade is a very physical player. He frequently dives on the floor and has had several head and neck traumas over the years. Here is one example of Wade whacking his head on the ground in the playoffs a few years ago. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3ksc5_bpYw

What happens when you get head and neck traumas?

Well these accidents and injuries can tear loose the connective tissue that holds the spine in place and create a weakness, which then allows the spine to breakdown and lock into a stressed position.
Now I am sure that the Miami Heat have a staff Chiropractor, as almost all professional sports team do. But to get to this problem he may need a more advanced approach than general chiropractic. Learn more from a recent WebMD story http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/news/20070316/chiropractic-cuts-blood-pressure

If Mr. Wade has a misalignment in the upper neck at the base of the brain, blood flow has been shown to be effected. Research is demonstrating that these misalignments in the upper neck at the level of the Atlas can be an underlying cause with several vascular conditions such as Migraine Headaches, High Blood Pressure, Multiple Sclerosis and others. The veins that drain the brain are not working the way that they are supposed to be.

The main way that this takes place is the physical trauma associated with head and neck injuries.

The only way to safely, precisely and gently realign the spine is by acquiring precise upper cervical x-rays. Once the upper neck is viewed from all three directions then a plan can be put together to correct this complex condition. The NUCCA procedure is very effective at restoring the upper neck to it’s proper alignment.


(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.)

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Chronic Headaches and Upper Cervical Care

Many people aren’t aware of the relationship between upper cervical (neck) trauma and headaches. With all that modern science has accomplished, there are still more unanswered questions than answered ones. This is also true in the case of headache research. It’s been difficult to pinpoint the exact reason(s) why certain people suffer chronic headache pain. However, research is beginning to point toward upper cervical trauma as an underlying cause for many types of head pain, especially migraine, cluster and tension headaches.

The upper cervical area of the spine refers to the two vertebrae located at the top of the spine, directly underneath the head. C1 (known as Atlas,) along with C2 (known as Axis,) are chiefly responsible for the rotation and flexibility of the head and neck. Like the rest of the vertebrae, they are extremely vulnerable to injury and trauma, especially trauma to the head through auto or sporting accidents.

Because so many nerves transmit through the cervical region (to and from the brain,) trauma to this area results in problems to other parts of the body. This is where the relationship between the upper cervical area and headaches becomes evident. If these vertebrae become displaced, even slightly, chronic head pain can occur. Unless the neck injury is addressed, the symptoms persist.

Upper cervical care involves correcting the position of these injured cervical vertebrae, particularly C1 and C2. Realigning these vertebrae may reduce or eliminate many types of headaches.

The most common types of headaches for which people seek upper cervical care are migraine, cluster and tension headaches. Migraine headaches are characterized by intense pain on either one or both sides of the head. Pain is usually located around the temples or behind one ear or eye. The pain is so severe that it often causes extreme sensitivity to light, dizziness and may even lead to vomiting. Migraines may occur with or without ‘aura.’ Aura refers to visual symptoms which occur 10 to 30 minutes prior to the onset of the headache. They are usually in the form of flashing lights, lines, blind spots or even temporary blindness.
Cluster headaches almost always occur on only one side of the head. Their onset is so sudden and intense, cluster headaches have been described as “worse than childbirth.” In fact, the doctor who originally identified and researched cluster headaches characterized their pain as being able “to drive normal people to suicide.” Tension headaches are sometimes called ’stress headaches.’ They often start midday and usually consist of a dull, aching pain rather than a sharp, intense one. They start gradually and slowly build in intensity. Tension headaches may last anywhere from less than one to several hours.

Of course, not every headache falls into one of these categories. The type and degree of pain varies from person to person. However, if any headache occurs more often than on an occasional or sporadic basis, it’s safe to assume that there may be an underlying cause. Continually treating chronic and recurrent headaches with pain medication may temporarily ease the symptoms, but it won’t solve the problem.

Many of these headaches improve significantly during upper cervical care.  A first visit to an upper cervical doctor usually involves a spinal analysis and tests such as x-rays. From there, the practitioner will determine a upper cervical care will likely be of benefit to you. Patients almost always notice an improvement in symptoms, sometimes after only a few visits with the doctor.

(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.)

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Celebrities, Migraines and Upper Cervical Care

What do Ben Affleck, Troy Aikman and Johnny Damon have incommon?

By Dr. William R. Davis Jr., D.C., Upper Cervical Specialist

We see many athletes, artists, and celebrities getting migraine headaches including NFL giants Terrell Davis and Troy Aikman, tennis great Serena Williams, basketball superstar Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and baseball stars Jonathon Papelbon and Johnny Damon; actors Ben Affleck and Whoopi Goldberg.  Migraines are a debilitating type of headache that literally takes days, weeks, months and years away from many people in our society.  For instance,  I have a patient right now who gets 2-3 migraines per month.  That doesn’t seem that bad maybe to you.  But the truth is when the headaches come she is unable to do anything!!!  She lays in a dark room until the migraines go away.  The migraines last between 1-2 days at a time.  So lets say conservatively that she is losing 3 days a month to these migraines.  That’s 36 days a year…over a 10 year time period that is a 360 days…one year out of ten is lost to migraines!!!

In my office 90-95 % of patients with Migraine Headaches see their migraines eliminated while under care.  The other 5-10% at least see a reduction in the frequency and intensity of these headaches.  So why doesn’t Ben Affleck get into an upper cervical doctor’s office and get rid of those migraines?  How many games did Terrel Davis miss because of headaches?

So why is upper cervical care so effective at getting to the underlying cause of headaches?  The answer is trauma.  Physical trauma…such as car accidents, falls, sports injuries, childhood injuries and more lead to a tearing loose of the connective tissue that holds the spine in place.  Which creates a weakness.  Once that happens the spine begins to breakdown.  It starts in the most movable and vulnerable area, the top of the spine where the skull and the spine come together at the upper cervical area.  This misaligned upper neck area creates pressure on the brain stem and veins that drain the brain.  This is why pressure will begin to build up into the head often leading to headaches.  The brain stem irritation explains the nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, etc that frequently goes along with Migraine headaches.

These observations are now being demonstrated in the research as well.  A recent case study is showing that after upper cervical care using the NUCCA procedure, a follow-up Phase Contrast Magnetic Resonance (PC MR) study demonstrated changes in flow from the jugular veins that leave the brain.   The subject of the case study obtained relief from migraine headache pain consistent to maintenance of his upper cervical correction by the end of thirty days. The exam continued to show improvement of the blood flow measured over the 16-week study period consistent to maintenance of upper cervical alignment.  Additional funding is being sought to do a larger study on Migraines, upper cervical misalignments and blood flow changes.

So who do you know that is still getting migraines?  Does anyone know Whoopi?  Johnny?  Troy?  How about you?  Are you losing parts of your life because of the effects of Migraine Headaches?  You can be helped!  But you have to take the first step…

(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.)

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Want Optimal Health? Check out Upper Cervical Care

If you are looking for optimum health, look into upper cervical chiropractic.

From painfreechristina.com


If you are wanting to enhance your well being ask yourself this question, Is your body in balance? If you suffer from backaches, headaches, acid reflux, digestive issues, rheumatoid arthritis, bronchial asthma, depression symptoms, vertigo, or also regular joint pain, possibilities are, you are out of alignment and struggling from an imbalance in your system. Upper cervical care is a highly specialized form of chiropractic care that focuses only on the top two vertebrate in the neck, the atlas and the axis. If these turn out to be misaligned due to stress, an incident, or also simply as a outcome of your lifestyle itself, your body can turn out to be misaligned and out of balance. One shoulder may sit higher than another, or your legs may be somewhat different lengths.

This misalignment commences to put pressure on the nerves in the craniocervical junction, the one element of the body in which the backbone and the crucial nervous system are attached. This pressure can lead to a variety of physical symptoms, which includes backaches, headaches, and joint pain. More significant difficulties can additionally develop, which includes fibromyalgia, sciatica pain, irritable bowel affliction, and migraines.

Upper cervical care seeks to re-establish your body’s natural communication system and allow your body to tap into its innate potential to heal by itself. An upper cervical doctor will not twist or power the neck back into alignment, but will strive to lightly correct a misalignment. The adjustment will likely need to be repeated on a number of occasions over the subsequent weeks and months till the particular person’s body is capable of keeping the realignment on its own.

Upper cervical care alone does not heal the body; the upper cervical realignment simply allows the body’s nervous system to talk effectively in between mind and body. This allows the body to perform as it was effortlessly meant to do, in the end healing itself.

(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.)

Monday, July 11, 2011

Life Returns After Upper Cervical Care


Health in the game of life

By Hans Stolfus

No one has paid me to dispense the endorsement you’re about to read. I simply feel compelled to share my story as others suffering from a similar condition may benefit greatly from this information.

Anyone who followed my short-lived career on the sand is aware things began to dramatically unravel in 2007 after an acute neck injury limited my mobility to a point where nonstop health maintenance and physical therapy care were necessary just to continue competing. And even then my game was submarginal at best, only I didn’t have another source of income, so the motto became “fight through it” or pack my bags and move to the third pillar under the ‘Pier.’

Pain and tightness turned to pressure. Pressure turned to headaches and eventual migraines. Migraines turned to a life without light and meals spent on the floor. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.

I saw chiropractors, physical therapists, massage therapists, acupuncturists, Rolfers, Heller Care Professionals, trainers, medical doctors, migraine, pain and cervical spine specialists, and rheumatologists. I visited the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., the Headache Institute in Newport Beach, Calif., and Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles, Calif.

Diagnosis by Karen Newcomer at Mayo: nothing. Mild degeneration between C4-C5-C6 (vertebrae of the cervical spine) and some moderately bad posture likely attributed to the pectus excavatum headlining my sternal cavity.

Diagnosis & Treatment by Philip O’Carroll at the Headache Institute: botox (yes, botox) into the neck muscles to release tension, nightly nerve pain meds, Treximet for Migraines, and a range of motion routine I had received from at least 36 previous practitioners.

Diagnosis & Treatment by Steven Graff-Radford at Cedars Sinai: two successive nerve injections and a Radiofrequency Neurotomy on the nerves surrounding C2 and C3. Yes, that’s right; I had them burn off nerve endings with the purpose of interfering daily pain signals. I resorted to the unthinkable. It was that or take a detour off PCH into the underlying brush like Junior Seau. And although it removed some of the immediate pain and pressure, it did nothing to fix the root of the problem.

Fast forward three months… walk by a “Busy Body” in Newport Beach, decide to stop in and inquire about a rowing machine for my apartment complex gym — as normal exercise remained completely out of the question, even after the neurotomy — explain my situation to the sales guy, listen to his “you should see this guy” spiel, roll my eyes invisibly, take the chiropractor’s card — which he just so happened to have on him — as to not seem rude, throw the card in the center council of my car, and then proceed to wait three weeks to dial the number and hear how this guy could somehow magically be ‘different‘ than all the rest.

To make an incredibly long story short, it turned out the Neurotomy wasn’t my last option after all. Although I had seen somewhere in the range of 300 previous chiropractors over the years, this guy’s practice was unlike anything I had previously heard of or experienced, focusing on the positioning of C1 (Atlas) and C2 (Axis) and their relationship to the brain stem, spinal cord, and entire central nervous system.

He used a series of numerous unorthodox x-rays, a prism-based stereoscopic viewing method to make each film ‘3D,’ a set of protractor-based measurements drawn on each ‘subluxated’ vertebrae, a heat sensitive instrument to test neurological transmission, a specific table to determine body symmetry, and a scientific technique to bring it all together and locate the problem so it could be fixed.

Bottom line: back in ’07 my atlas (C1) had been spun like a top and was pinching off a host of pain related nerves just beneath my skull ever since. One adjustment, which involved zero cracking or spinning of the head like typical ‘chiropractic,’ and not only did the pain and pressure disappear, but my vision improved, my short term memory began to return, and life started to seem like something worth living again. The procedure was most certainly heavy and intense, and prevented me from moving my head in any direction for 24 hours as a precautionary measure, but was, without a doubt, worth its weight in gold. My life changed the instant those nerves finally freed up, and I can’t imagine going back and feeling the way I did for almost four years ever again. And ready for this, it’s held. My body just needed to go back to the way it was meant to be and the rest has taken care of itself.

That’s it. Don’t want to preach, just want to inform. I tried it all and my solution came at a small office in Yorba Linda, Calif. at the hands of a gentleman by the name of Dr. David Topping. There’s only a handful of upper cervical “Blair” chiropractors in California and not many more scattered throughout the U.S. Why? I don’t want to get too ‘conspiracy theorist,’ but frankly there’s no profit margin in healing someone with only one visit. And that’s what practitioners like Topping are doing. They’re freeing up the nerve pathways from the brain to the body and finally allowing the body to heal itself. Not saying it’s for everybody, or that all patients will require only one adjustment as age and degeneration play an important role, but if you’ve got neck or back pain and have run the gamut like I had, might be time to try one more option. It could finally change everything.

And in case you’re wondering, I will play beach volleyball again, maybe not at the professional level, but definitely for fun down in Corona Del Mar on a casual Saturday afternoon.

(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.)

Friday, April 15, 2011

Are You A Candidate For Upper Cervical Care?


By Dr. Zachary Ward

Are you a candidate for an upper cervical (NUCCA) spinal correction?

If you want to remove barriers to self-healing, and you can answer yes to one or more of the following questions, then you may be a candidate for our care. Please request a consultation with the doctor.

■Have you ever been told by a chiropractor, podiatrist, tailor, or seamstress that you have one leg that is shorter than the other?

■Have you ever been prescribed a heel lift for a ‘short leg’?

■When you look in the mirror do you see your head tilting toward your right or left shoulder?

■When you look in the mirror do you consistently see one shoulder that is higher?

■Do you limit carrying handbags or purses to one shoulder because the strap falls off on one side?

■For women, do you always find one bra strap falling off of one shoulder?

■When you wear a belt, do you notice that it sits higher on one hip than the other?

■When you walk do you find that your waistband tends to twist towards one side of your body, pulling the inseam out on one side?

■Do you suffer from a head, neck, back or body pain that cannot be explained by other doctors? Or pain that is not responding to other kinds of care, including traditional chiropractic?

■If you turn your head all the way to the left or right, is it easier to make this motion on one side than the other?

■Do you have pain or tenderness or a sensation of tightness at the base of the skull?

■Have you ever had a chiropractor or medical doctor diagnose you with a ‘loss of curve’ in your neck from an x-ray or MRI?

■Do have an inability to concentrate (foggy headedness) that you cannot explain?

■Do you have a neurological problem (balance, seizures, vision disturbances, cranial nerve disorders) that you want to manage with other ways than medicine?

■Have you ever sustained a whiplash injury?

■Did you have a difficult birth using forceps or vacuum extraction?

■Do you have occasional headaches or migraine headaches?

(Editor's note: These are merely indicators of body imbalance. Please 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 anything listed above or any other condition, disease or symptom.)

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Headaches, Pain, Pregnancy and Upper Cervical Care


Relief from Headaches during Pregnancy + Better Function too

by Jason Blackketter

When she came into our office she was 18 weeks pregnant and had a history of difficult pregnancies, including 6 miscarriages. Her 2 and 1/2 year old son was born 1 month premature.

She was referred in for headaches by another client of ours. After just one specific upper cervical adjustment (and in just two short weeks) her body has begun healing dramatically & functioning better.

[Note: her results are not typical because most people are unwilling to try something new & different. Thankfully this client was willing to get help and try something new (she'd never been to an [upper cervical] Chiropractor before) so her results were different.]

Prior to care, our new client examination and her subjective concerns revealed the following:

–headaches every day, sometimes migraines, wondered if it was hormonal…

–pain and tightness in the right hip, low back, and sacroiliac joints

–stiff, tight, sore muscles in the neck with multiple tender spots

–reduced cervical range of motion (ROM)

–diminished sensation and motor strength in arms & hands

–paraspinal temperature imbalance from infrared Tytron nerve function scan

After the 1st adjustment in our initial program of upper cervical specific care she reported these functional changes:

–fewer and less intense headaches (only in the morning every other day instead of daily)

–NO more pain or tightness in the neck
–reduced pain in her hip and low back, although sacroiliac joints were still tender to the touch

–NO more acid reflux or heartburn (a common occurrence with nearly every meal during all of her pregnancies, but a symptom she had not mentioned during our initial consultation)

–paraspinal thermography balancing, showing better neurological brain-to-body connection

After 2 and 1/2 weeks under care she reported and we observed these results:

–NO more Headaches

–NO more pain or tightness in the neck, hip, low back, or sacroiliac joints

–a new sense of better balance and function in pelvis

–right hip feels more aligned

–improved digestion (NO more acid reflux or heartburn)

–normal ROM in cervical spine

–paraspinal temperature scans adaptive and balanced

–TMJ region feeling better, no more pain or tightness in her jaw, and it seems to work better when eating (TMJ disorder with jaw pain and dysfunction was another symptom not discovered in consultation)

–she said “I feel like everything is lined up and working better.”

–she also thanked me for encouraging her to drink more water (something she knew was good for her, but wasn’t doing regularly)

–and she noticed she’d been sleeping better and more comfortably

So, do you think her 20 week old baby developing inside is benefiting from Mommy’s better function?

Is it possible the baby will be stronger & healthier now too?

She is absolutely thrilled with the improved function since beginning her care (not to mention that she’s feeling a lot better too after the pain relief). Her friends and family members are hearing her story and noticing the changes as well.

In my opinion, every expecting mother owes it to her baby and future generations to get checked (and adjusted if necessary) to ensure her body is performing at its very best!

Thanks to Dr. Jerry Kennedy of Belleville, IL and Dr. Brandon Harshe of Dallas, TX for sharing the video and blog post about Pregnancy and Headaches relieved through Specific Upper Cervical Spinal Care.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Get it Right, Get Upper Cervical Care


From atlas4wellness.com
by Dr. Chad McIntyre


"If you don't get this right, you'll never get where you need to be."

A patient of mine was recently relaying to me how he explains upper cervical care to people that he knows. The above paraphrased quote stuck out in my mind from that conversation because it really gets to the core of what Upper Cervical Healthcare is all about. He was referring to the brainstem and making sure that it was free and clear of any interference (i.e. a misalignment of the anatomy that surrounds it) that could keep it from performing its absolutely vital role in your body. When you strip away the whole host of health conditions that have been named in our society, from M.S. to migraines to seizures to Ulcerative Colitis to fibromyalgia to disc degeneration, the undeniable fact of the matter is that if your brainstem is in any way disrupted in its ability to route the communication from point A (the brain) to point B-Z (all the various parts of the body)...then you won't be able to achieve HEALTH.

What my patient pointed out should be a reminder to everyone of the importance of Upper Cervical Care because of its focus on the area of the body that either directly or indirectly controls all the other parts - not just for people that have already developed conditions, but also for those that haven't yet. However, I also want his statement to serve as another kind of reminder. Everyone, be it doctor or patient, too frequently looks for the one, cure all method of obtaining and maintaining health. Upper Cervical doctors and their patients are as guilty of that as anyone else. So, I want you to remember that Upper Cervical Care is not an all encompassing model to achieving health. It is a significant piece of the puzzle...but it's not the entire puzzle. Which leads me into topic number 2...

The Evolution of the Revolution

Some might say that, slowly but surely, the United States is moving toward a health care revolution. Never has the currently established system been so flawed and ineffective and never have alternative means to obtaining health been so plentiful. You've got a lot of new options out there, in this day and age. Health has become this generation's version of the industrial revolution, where everyone was trying to invent the gadget that would modernize society in a way never thought possible (i.e. automobiles, airplanes, light bulbs, telephones, televisions, etc.). Take a look at a natural health magazine and you'll read about dozens of new concepts every month. The established system knows that alternatives are becoming more popular, so they are attempting to capitalize on hot button keywords like "Wellness" and "Prevention" to get people making new mental associations for medications.

Health, though, is not like coming up with a new model for a better, more efficiently run car or electronic device. The idea of taking something outside the body and putting it into the body is the premise upon which the majority of the latest and greatest means to achieving health are based...and I'll make a strong argument that it is THAT way of thinking that has helped put us into the mess we are in when it comes to healthcare in our country. The President's health care reform ideas that we may one day see implemented are noble in their attempts to make change; I've even had people sending me documents and news briefs that show coverage improving tremendously through the proposed reform. But it isn't about health providers getting better coverage to get paid more money...it's about a need for a fundamental shift. It's about the EVOLUTION of the healthcare revolution.

The next step in moving forward with health care is taking it outside the symptom-based model and into a realm that is virtually unheard of in this day and age...at least here in the States...to a place where it's not all about symptoms, but a more realistic, logical view that involves the things that it actually takes to be healthy.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Head/Neck Misalignment May Cause What?


When the upper neck is out of position, certain nerves may be affected. If those nerves cannot supply your body parts (organs, glands, muscles, bones, etc.) with energy and information, they may not work properly and various conditions may result.

While there's not a 100% correlation between head/neck misalignment and a particular health problem, over a century of clinical observations have revealed that a wide range of conditions seem to be associated with it.

Your first bone in the neck is called C-1 but it also has a special name: the "atlas." Why? Because it holds up the globe of your head just as the Greek god Atlas held up the globe of the heavens. The second bone in your neck or C-2 also has a special name: the axis. That's because it's involved in turning, twisting and tilting your head.

Nerves in the upper neck area affect your head, face, upper neck, inner & middle ear, sympathetic nerve system, optic nerves, sinuses, mastoid bones, tongue, forehead, heart, eyes, auditory nerves, pituitary gland, scalp, brain and more! So many nerves are in this area that when the upper neck is corrected nerves all over your body, your spinal cord, brain, brain coverings (meninges) as well as your entire spine from top to bottom may be helped.

What can head/neck misalignment do to me?

Head/neck misalignment and the accompanying irritation to the nerve system has been related to headaches, migraines, nervousness, insomnia, head colds, nervous "breakdowns", anxiety, difficulty concentrating, ear infections, hormonal problems, menstrual difficulties, depression, "brain fog", low IQ, low resistance to disease, low overall brain function, digestive problems, sinus troubles, allergies, crossed eyes, deafness, eye troubles, fainting spells and seizures as well as many other conditions..

Upper Cervical Doctors are able to locate and correct those of your upper neck: your atlas and axis (C-1 and C-2). What can cause C-1 and/or C-2 to go out of place? Stress is often the culprit. Sometimes a difficult or even not-so-difficult birth can misalign the upper neck and cause body malfunction and health problems for someone for the rest of their lives. That's why it's especially important for these areas to be checked by an Upper Cervical Doctor as early as possible.

Other causes of head/neck misalignment include falls, accidents, getting knocked around playing sports, emotional traumas, chemical stress such as junk food and anything that overcomes your natural tendency to stay balanced.

By the way, there are many different ways of working with this area but Upper Cervical Care provided by an Upper Cervical Doctor will in most cases yield a precise and lasting correction to this area with NO forceful twisting, pulling, or popping of the neck.

Monday, January 11, 2010

The Upper Cervical Story of Louella Harris


Louella's Story is amazing and the non-profit organization she started is equally so. The National Awareness Campaign for Upper Cervical Care (NACUCC). The next few posts will be from information put out by NACUCC. Enjoy!


"So Much Pain. So Unnecessary!"

Louella Harris contracted polio in 1958, in Kenya, East Africa she was 3 years old. Thirty-four years later, after appearing on television and radio for affirmative action in her state, obtaining a Master's degree and getting married, pain began creeping up Louella's arms and neck and burned into her chest. Her medical doctors called it a combination of Post Polio Syndrome, and a condition called Fibromyalgia. Their only recommendations were painkillers and exercise. The pain grew so intense that Louella became confined to bed for months. Any sort of movement at all was agony. Her husband, Richard, became her personal attendant, He dressed and fed her and helped with all her personal needs on a daily basis. Louella couldn't even sit up to watch television or hold a book.

In desperation, the Harrises tried everything, including chiropractic. The problem was that the chiropractic procedure she experienced, while it had helped others, didn’t seem to help her. To make matters worse her medical doctors only offered drugs and exercise. Nutrition wasn't even affecting the pain. At that point, there honestly didn’t seem to be any answers anywhere.

Then, one day, while she lay in bed fighting the pain and watching the clock to see when she could take her next pain pill, Louella had an uncanny feeling come over her. The inexplicable feeling carried a message. The message was that indeed there was an answer for her. And when she found it, it was going to be much bigger than just for her.

A few weeks later, a friend called and told her about a little known procedure practiced by less than 2000 chiropractors worldwide. Louella located one of the Upper Cervical chiropractors in her state. He turned out to be a highly skilled, big-hearted doctor who took the time to call her back and answer as many questions as possible without actually examining her. He gave Louella no guarantees, but the information he shared with her was different than anything she had ever heard of before. That in itself gave her hope.

Four months after Louella first experienced precision Upper Cervical chiropractic she was out of bed, back to work, and pregnant! Nine months later she gave birth to a baby girl at age 39, naturally. That was just the beginning.

After her dramatic recovery, Richard and Louella met people who had struggled with all kinds of conditions. These were people who had been told by their medical doctors there was nothing that could be done for them. Yet their conditions were either being eased or eliminated all together by having their bodies balanced and proper communication between the body and the brain stem restored. These were people who had suffered from fibromyalgia, migraines, epilepsy, ADD, hypertension, trigeminal neuralgia, TMJ, some forms of arthritis and carpal tunnel, immune system disorders, herniated disks, numbness and tingling in the limbs, allergies and asthma, neck, back, arm and feet pain, sciatica and more, all of which were improving to some degree or another. Victims of accidents were being helped at a fraction of the time and expense as those undergoing traditional forms of rehabilitation. The procedure was not a cure-all by any means. However, it was surprising how much improvement was experienced by so many people with a variety of conditions that did not seem to have any apparent commonality.

Richard and Louella soon realized that if healthy children and adults would get under this care, countless problems could be avoided before they ever start. But people just didn’t know to do that. The Harrises didn't. In fact, when it finally dawned on the Harrises how fundamental this procedure was to overall health, they were appalled at their own ignorance and the ignorance of the general public. They had lived almost 40 years with absolutely no information about this at all.

It was obvious that at the age of 3 when Louella’s health problems first started, if someone had told Louella’s parents about this procedure, her whole life might have been different. When the Harrises grasped the fact that all that suffering might have been avoided, not just in her life, but in the lives of millions of others, they felt impelled to take a leap of faith, drop both their careers, and found the National Awareness Campaign for Upper Cervical Care. The N.A.C.U.C.C. is a non-profit consumer awareness organization dedicated to educating the public worldwide about this care.

During one of her interviews on CBS, Louella said, “This type of health care was available all the time I suffered. We just didn't know about it. It's one thing to hurt because nothing can be done. It's entirely another to suffer because of ignorance. That's tragic. There are millions of adults in pain right now because they've never heard of this. There are millions of children facing a lifetime of problems because their parents are unaware of the critical role the care of the brain stem area, plays in the future health of their child. There’s so much pain and it’s so unnecessary. It has to stop. The NACUCC is committed to reaching every man, woman and child with this information. When the public at large finally grasps how fundamental Upper Cervical health care is to the health of the entire body, it will change how we take care of ourselves and how we take care of our children.”
BRAIN MESSAGES DIRECT ALL BODY FUNCTIONS!

Research is showing that body imbalance and brain-to-body disruption of communication can cause or complicate all kinds of conditions. The previously mentioned conditions are listed not because this procedure cures any of them, but because it demonstrates that the body can heal itself in many different ways if it is given what it needs to heal. The conditions listed have been known to improve or be eliminated when different individuals have had their atlas and/or axis, (C1 and C2) corrected. This does not mean that these conditions will be eliminated in every person who has their Upper Cervical spine realigned. It does mean that if the condition is being caused or complicated by an atlas/axis being out of position, the condition is likely to improve or be eliminated once the bones are repositioned.

Please note that 2 people can be diagnosed with the same condition and after their atlas is corrected, the condition in one may be completely eliminated, while the same condition in the other person may improve only a little. Carpal tunnel is a good example of this. If the problem is actually in the wrist, then correcting the atlas may help the condition only minimally. If, on the other hand, the atlas is causing irritation in the nerves flowing down into the arm and into the wrist, the carpal tunnel is likely to improve remarkably. Note, however, that 99% of the people we have tested in our seminars around the country, have all been imbalanced with one short leg. Even the person who has carpal tunnel in the wrist from repeated use of the wrist and hands such as a typist or a factory worker, most likely has a misaligned atlas as well. Correcting the atlas and restoring brain-to-body communication and body balance will, at the very least, help them cope with their condition better.

When an Upper Cervical Spinal Correction is made, Body Balance is restored. Stress, tension and pressure from the area below the Brain Stem are removed. This reactivates the flow of healing messages from the brain to the affected part of the body and immediately, the self-healing process begins. It is imperative that you have your atlas examined. It’s role in overall health is so crucial, you need to at least rule out the possibility that a misaligned atlas is involved in your condition(s).

Monday, November 30, 2009

How Long Will You Wait?


Allergies, Arthritis, Asthma, Back and Neck Pain, Bronchitis, Cancer, Chronic Pain, Constipation, Dizziness, Fibromyalgia, Frequent Infections, General Tension and Weakness, Headaches, High Blood Pressure, Indigestion, Kidney Disorders, Lack of Concentration, Low Blood Pressure, Menier’s Disease, Menstrual Disorders, Migraines, Nausea, Nervousness, Neuropathies, Sciatica, Sinus problems, Torticollis (Wry Neck), Scoliosis, Stiff Necks, Stomach Disorders, Ulcers, and Vertigo.

These are all problems and diseases that have improved while under Upper Cervical Care in offices around the world.

Now I will state that with the people with these conditions the Upper Cervical Doctor's goal was not to treat their problem or cure them of their disease.

The Upper Cervical Care goal is simple: To return the nervous system of the body, that controls everything, to more normal function. Once that was accomplished, with time, the patient did their own healing. Remember, if an Upper Cervical Correction were administered to a dead person nothing happens, it is only the living body that heals.

If you have any of the above health concerns or even some that may not be listed please don’t wait, check out more posts on this blog and find out what Upper Cervical Care can do for you.
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