Upper Cervical Care and Scoliosis Correction: A Case Study

Correction of juvenile idiopathic scoliosis after primary upper cervical chiropractic care: a case study. Abstracts from the 13th annual upper cervical spine conference, Nov 16-17, 1996 Life College, Marietta, Georgia. Pub in Chiropractic Research Journal, Vol. 1V, No.1, Spring 1997 p.29

From the abstract:

A nine-year-old male presented in our office with a chief complaint of juvenile idiopathic scoliosis and intermittent back pain. The patient had fractured his clavicle one month before his initial visit and complained of intermittent "growing pains" in his right foot. The case history also revealed that he had been involved in a motor vehicle accident two years previously.

The patient was managed with upper cervical care, utilizing the Grostic Procedure of adjusting by hand. Over the five months and ten days of care, the patient was checked on 13 visits and required an upper cervical adjustment on five of those visits. The leg length inequality, posture, and palpatory findings balanced immediately after the first upper cervical adjustment. Post-adjustment paraspinal surface EMG showed that the paraspinal muscular activity was more balanced. Post-treatment x-ray taken on the 13th visit revealed the thoracic and lumbar curves had an 88% overall reduction in the scoliosis after the five months of care.

(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.)

Light, Darkness and Upper Cervical Care...What?

Adapted from "How Do You Remove The Darkness From a Room?"

By Dr. Kevin Donka

Easy question, eh?  The answer is totally obvious.  In fact, I’ll bet you didn’t even hesitate with your response.  The answer, of course, is that you turn on a light!  But notice something very interesting and important about your answer.  You didn’t really remove the darkness.  Instead, you added light.  And, as you add light, darkness automatically leaves because darkness and light can’t exist in the same place at the same time.

While we understand and accept this to be true about darkness and light, most of us have never applied this concept to other areas of our lives.  This principle of adding (or creating) what we do want, instead of focusing on eliminating or preventing what we don't want is universally effective in bringing us to where we want to be.  It is simple really, when you fill a space with one thing, it must displace whatever was there before!

Here is another example.  If you are stressed out and you would rather be in a peaceful state of mind, begin creating peace.  That is, do things that actively and progressively produce peace, and as peace comes, stress will automatically leave - just as when we add light, darkness leaves!  If you are spending the majority of your time thinking, saying and doing things that bring you and those around you peace, there will be very little time left for you to be stressed.  Mother Theresa understood this principle and applied it to every area of her own life.  She was once asked if she would participate in a protest march against the Vietnam War.  She replied, “No, but if you have a march for peace, let me know.”  Remember, when we fill a space with one thing, it must displace whatever was there before.

Upper cervical care is all about applying this concept to your health.  Many people spend large amounts of time, energy and money trying to get rid of their pain and illnesses.  But, in a very real way, we can add light to this situation as well, rather than trying to remove the darkness.  You have inside of you a powerful life force that runs, regulates, heals and grows your body.  We call this your innate intelligence.  When this principle is fully expressed or, “turned on,” it is like turning on a light inside of you that displaces any darkness (sickness/pain) that was there before.  You see, your innate intelligence is a principle of life – it always knows what to do to keep you running at your highest level, including healing you when you’re sick.  But, we in upper cervical care do not actually focus on healing you, we simply seek to make sure the power that runs your body – your light – is on.  Then, your innate intelligence goes to work healing you.

We accomplish this by giving what is called an upper cervical correction that helps establish a more complete neurological connection between your brain and your body and allow your innate intelligence to again flow freely to all of your cells.  That's it!  That’s all upper cervical care is about.  It’s about making sure that the health-producing power inside you has a chance to do its best to move you progressively toward optimal health, happiness and the full expression of your potential and your purpose in life!  

So, if you, your family or your friends have been frustrated by continually trying to remove darkness (disease), maybe it’s time to take a different approach – maybe it’s time to turn on your light and watch the darkness just fade away.

Gene And Ginger's Upper Cervical Care Experience

“The MD’s don’t seem to know what’s wrong with me…”

By Dr. Brandon Harshe

Gene had a pain in his side for 10 years, degeneration in his spine, shoulder pain, and vertigo. Ginger had sciatic pain for 15 years, had been taking hormones for the previous 30 years, and had frequent hot flashes. Then they came in to see me and get under Upper Cervical Care. Read on to find out what happened in their own words.

“My husband Gene and I started going to Dr. Harshe about 2 months ago. Gene had been to the typical chiropractor several times throughout his life, but I never had been to one and was very skeptical about going. A friend had asked me to consider going to an Upper Cervical (Doctor) a year prior, but I just graciously said I don’t really have confidence in them.

She called after my husband had gotten sick and said I really wish you would go to Dr. Harshe in Carrollton. Her Upper Cervical (Doctor) recommended him, so I told her I would tell Gene. He said sure, let’s give it a try, the MD’s don’t seem to know what’s wrong with me.

We called for an appointment and I let my husband see him the first visit and then the second visit I agreed to see him. After hearing Dr. Harshe explain the adjustment he does, it made perfect sense to us. God created our bodies to heal themselves and we felt God could work through Dr. Harshe to help our bodies function as they were created.

Gene had a pain in his side that had hurt for 10 years and a pain in his hip that gave him lots of trouble. After his first adjustment, these pains were gone and he has been free of that pain since. Gene was also having some dizziness and the MD’s had told him that he had severe vertigo and that the casing around his spinal cord was calcifying and would probably close in time and recommended we see a surgical doctor for the spinal cord. He was having what seemed to be a pinched nerve.

With patience, the dizziness is gone and the pain in his shoulder has subsided. We did not see any other doctor for his health issues except for Dr. Harshe.

I have had trouble with a sciatic nerve for more than 15 years. After my first adjustment, my hip pain was gone and has not returned. I have taken hormones for more than thirty years and am now free of taking hormones and have no hot flashes.

We are looking forward to our bodies feeling better and better as we reach the point of being able to stay in adjustment for longer periods of time. I am looking forward to be able to get off my blood pressure meds in the very near future. We are thankful for Dr. Harshe and his practice of common sense chiropractic and for God working through him to help our bodies function as they were created to function.

We encourage you to schedule a visit with Dr. Harshe and gain a wealth of knowledge about how your body is created to function and have your first adjustment for a healthier, drug free YOU!!!!!!”

Gene and Ginger K.
Fort Worth, TX

(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.)

Apollo 11 and Upper Cervical Care

Some time ago I read an article that asked the question, “What percentage of the time was the Apollo 11 on course to the moon in 1969?” The answer was a surprising 3%. That’s correct. 97% of the time they were off course and had to correct their course. Fortunately they were able to constantly make those corrections so they ended up at their destination. The idea of correcting course is not so difficult to understand when it comes to travel. How much of the time when we are driving to a preplanned destination, is our car pointed directly at that destination. Sometimes especially on those interstate loops around big cities, you actually have to go north to arrive at a destination south of your starting point! We cannot drive “as the crow flies” so we are constantly changing direction. I am not sure that migrating birds even travel in a straight line. Many times I have seen geese flying east or west in the fall.

Life is about checking and correcting. When it comes to the human body there is a constant checking and correcting process. The weather can drop 20 or 30 degrees in the course of a day and the body must make changes to adapt. Even though we can put on heavier clothes, there is still a need to adapt. Parts of our body are subject to those changes. The food that we put into our body and changes in the quality of the air are just two factors that cause the body to make changes in the chemistry in order to adapt. The body has an inborn wisdom, an intelligence which is clearly able to make these changes every moment of the day. To a great degree it uses the brain and nerve system to bring about those changes. Just as the astronauts used computers and the intricate electrical system of the Apollo 11 to check and correct their course, we have an intricate system of nerves. Suppose one of those gauges did not work or the wiring system was not functioning properly? The astronauts could have missed the moon by thousands of miles. Similarly, when there is an interference in our nerve system due to head/neck misalignment, the body’s ability to “check and correct” is impaired. That could have devastating effects upon your ability to adapt. Upper cervical doctors correct this head/neck misalignment so that body can continue to "check and correct". Getting periodic upper cervical care is a great way to make sure your head is on straight and stays that way.

Upper Cervical Care, Cocoons And Stiff Necks

A recent patient was experiencing a significant amount of neck stiffness. They were unable to turn their head very far in either direction. We checked them and it was determined that they did not need an upper cervical correction at that time. We checked this patient multiple times over the next week and a half each time with no indication of them being in need of a correction. Finally just before 2 weeks the tests indicated that indeed a correction was needed. The correction was administered and the patient experienced immediate improvement. You might ask why not make the correction in the first place so that they did not need to go through all that discomfort for over a week? Read the story below and it may help to explain.

"A young man was attending a university, studying to become a naturalist. One lovely spring day during his first year, when he was really feeling burned out by studying, he decided to take a break and go for a stroll in the nearby woods. As he walked through the woods with warm sunlight streaming through the fresh green leaves, he saw a twig with a cocoon attached to it that was literally vibrating with life. He observed the cocoon for a few minutes, pondering the life and struggle taking place inside of it. Then, partly out of curiosity, partly out of misguided sympathy, the young man pulled a pocketknife out of his pocket. Then, he carefully so as not to hurt the creature inside slit the cocoon from one end to the other and stepped back to see what would happen. In a few moments there emerged the crumpled wings of a beautiful monarch butterfly. The butterfly tried to fly, but it fluttered and fell to the ground. The butterfly tried to fly once more and once more it fell to the ground. Then it became very still, and the young man saw that much to his horror the beautiful butterfly was dead. Later, when it was too late, he learned that it is the struggle inside the cocoon that builds strength in the wings and body of the creature inside so that at the appropriate time it can emerge on its own and survive as an adult in the world."

So while I am not suggesting that making an upper cervical correction sooner would have killed this patient what I am saying is that sometimes something that seems like a struggle on the surface may be something that needs to happen and in fact some good may come from the struggle. This patient was struggling without a doubt but anytime you are working with the human body, which is intelligent and self healing, we have to ask ourselves why something is happening. Something that seems like a problem could in fact be there temporarily because it needs to be in order to fix something. We know a great deal about the human body but very little when compared to what could be known. Because of that it is very difficult to determine if what is happening is needed or not. With this patient the neck could have been locked up because the body was making some very much needed changes and improvements and needed the joints to limit their motion for a period of time to accomplish it. Since we don't know why the body did it in the first place it is best to have specific tests to indicate when there is true nerve interference and make an upper cervical correction only when indicated. This way the patient gets the upper cervical care they need when they need it and the body is given the respect it deserves for healing and repairing itself by whatever means it deems appropriate.

How Bad Is Head/Neck Misalignment?

One of the most difficult concepts to get across to the public is the potentially devastating effects of head/neck misalignment. We could show you all kinds of diseases and say the interference to the nerve system from head/neck misalignment causes those diseases. But that would not be quite honest. That would be like saying that being a couch potato and not exercising regularly causes heart disease. It is undoubtedly a factor but there are other factors also. No one can possibly say what is the major factor or the cause. In addition to that, upper cervical doctors do not want to focus on a negative like disease. We would rather be proactive, to talk about getting checked periodically to maintain your health and reach your full potential in every area of life. But unfortunately, some of us are only motivated by fear, the fear of being sick or dying from some horrible disease. So for those people let’s take a minute to talk about just how bad this thing called head/neck misalignment (HNM) really is.

When there is HNM your digestive system may not work at its full potential. You body cannot produce the exact quantity and quality of chemicals necessary to digest the food that you eat. The food will not be absorbed into your body as it should because the cells involved in absorption are not working as they should because the food is not being broken down properly. Those organs, tissues, and cells involved with changing absorbed foods into flesh and blood will not work properly without a good nerve supply. When there is HNM, your immune system may not be working as it should. The organs and cells involved in keeping you resistant to viruses and bacteria are working at less than their potential. When you have HNM you may not be able to think as well, your coordination can be lessened, energy levels could be decreased. The interference in the nerve system from HNM literally affects every part of your body because every part of your body in one way or another is dependent upon a properly function nerve system.

This nerve interference affects the entire body. In this day and age when there are so many stresses upon the body, chemical, physical, and mental we cannot afford to have an improperly function nerve system. We cannot be sure about the quality of the water that we drink or the air that we breathe. We cannot know for sure that our body is getting all the nutrients that we need from our food sources. We cannot help being exposed to microorganism, many of which are more powerful than ever because of their ability to adapt to attempts to destroy them with drugs. But by keeping our nerve system free of interference from HNM, we can be sure that any potential that we have will be expressed as well as possible.

With so many chemicals, toxins and poisons in our food, air, water, not to mention those we purposely put in our bodies because we “enjoy” them we must keep our elimination system working as close to perfect as possible. The bowels, the kidneys, and other organs of elimination cannot work properly with interference in the nerve system.

Hopefully by now you realize how devastating HNM and the resulting interference to the nerve system can be. It may not be the most dramatic negative effect on the body. Surely, getting hit by a truck is worse. But there is probably no other single entity that can have such widespread negative effects on your body. Keep it free of interference by seeing an upper cervical doctor periodically.

Upper Cervical Care Do’s and Don’ts

Before and after each Upper Cervical Correction, it is vital that these measures be taken to protect your correction. Adhering to these guidelines will help ensure the longest lasting correction and help you reach your optimal health potential. Questions are encouraged because the better you understand why upper cervical doctors do what they do, the more you can help them help you.

Follow these helpful hints:

Avoid the following before office visits:

4 hours before your appointment; NO over the counter drugs, pain relievers (Example: Tylenol, Excedrin, Advil), antibiotics, or antidepressants.

2 hours before your appointment; NO caffeine, cigarettes, or chocolate, or use of heating pad or ice on your neck or back.

30 minutes before your appointment; NO sugar or candy.


*Upper cervical doctors are measuring brainstem and nerve function; the above products alter their readings. They must have accuracy in these readings in order to increase the odds of success in your case. Please let them know if you have used any of the above products or other prescription drugs before they test you.

Avoid the following for at least 24 hours after a correction:

Repetitive arm motions (sweeping, vacuuming, yard work, etc.)

Bumps, jolts, and vibrations (mowing or tilling, running heavy machinery, etc.)

Overhead work (reaching overhead and looking up)


Avoid the following:

Sleeping on your stomach with your head turned to one side

Using big, thick, fluffy pillows


Do the following:

Keep all your appointments at your appointed time. This “schedule of corrections” is tailor made for you to ensure maximum correction.

Drink 8 glasses of clean water, either spring/purified, or reverse osmosis, (not tap water), per day

Start walking. Walking on even surfaces helps strengthen your correction and builds strength and stamina.

Rest flat on your back with pillow under your neck during the middle of the day (10 to 20 minutes). This helps maintain your correction.

Let the doctor know of any slips, falls, bumps or other injuries, no matter how insignificant.

Sleep with a pillow designed to contour and support your neck, either flat on your back, or on your side.

Include your family in your care. The more your family understands Upper Cervical Care, the more support they can provide.


While upper cervical doctors do want their patients to feel better, do not expect them to treat your symptoms. The corrections they make are not designed for pain or symptom relief. They are designed to remove an interference to healing, so the body will heal itself. As the body heals, symptoms will go away. Be a patient patient. Corrections are only given when objective tests say you need one. Please don’t expect a correction based on how you feel.

If you have a problem with any of these, please do not get under care, as it is not a good fit for you at this time. If you have just begun care and have a problem with any of these let your upper cervical doctor know immediately so they can resolve the issue before you start something you cannot finish.

Upper Cervical Care: Correction vs. Adjustment

Should we make corrections or provide adjustments? It depends on the doctor's objective.

Upper Cervical Doctors often use the term correction instead of adjustment because it is a better description of the nature of the work they do. Here is a short definition of the two terms:

Adjustment ... to modify/change Correction ... to make right

There is nothing wrong with an adjustment, the different terminology is used only because of the distinct difference between the two approaches both in application and objective.

• All Chiropractors give adjustments

• Only Upper Cervical doctors make upper cervical alignment corrections.

• Chiropractors give adjustments on every visit.

• Upper Cervical doctors make upper cervical alignment corrections only when tests indicate it is needed.

Both services are helpful and either can be more appropriate at times than the other.

However, Upper Cervical doctors have observed clinically that while the head and neck is in perfect alignment and the brain can communicate with all parts of the body without interference, the body is either in the process of healing itself or in a state of good health. This is why Upper Cervical doctors use the term correction; they want patients to be in this state for as long as possible.

Any part of the body that is restricted from receiving efficient brain health and healing messages, due to interference at the point where the head and neck join, can begin to develop health problems.

The fact that countless health problems have responded to Upper Cervical Care proves that restricted brain to body communication can be a direct and/or indirect cause of many health problems.

One major goal within Upper Cervical Care is to conduct research directed toward perfecting procedures that will help Upper Cervical alignment corrections that will maintain for months or even years ... it would revolutionize the health care industry.

All Upper Cervical Doctors have the same objective regardless of the corrective procedure they choose to use. ... Help each patient maintain their alignment correction to prevent restricted brain to body communication so they can enjoy a better quality of life.

Retrace Your Steps With Upper Cervical Care

Please keep in mind while you read that Upper Cervical Care wants to achieve the most stable correction possible in the shortest period of time possible to help you regain and maintain your health and save you time and money in the process.

Retracing Cycles of Repair

By The Blair Chiropractic Society

What do we mean by retracing? Primarily it implies going over ground that has already been covered until the individual reaches the point from which they started.

When a patient is under Upper Cervical Care, it often occurs that they exhibit symptoms that have not manifested themselves for months, or even years. Their first impression is that they are becoming worse, but they are retracing the several stages through which their condition progressed in the making.

The question of time is essential in the matter of retracing. If a condition has been in progress for a number of years, the patient should not always expect to regain the normal state within a few days.

As it took time for the condition of the patient to change from health to a maximum degree of abnormality, so it takes time to retrace from the abnormality back to health.

What the Upper Cervical Doctor Does

The Upper Cervical Doctor is thoroughly trained to detect the abnormal positions of the upper cervical spine. They are further trained in the technique of restoring this area to their normal positions.

The question naturally arises in the mind of the patient as to why the Upper Cervical Doctor cannot return the upper neck immediately to its normal position and thus immediately restore the body to a healthy state.

What actually happens when a correction is given is the head and neck are returned toward its normal position. When an correction is done the ligaments and muscles are given an opportunity to regain, in part, their normal tone, and this permits them to hold the head and neck in a more nearly normal state.

Points To Remember

The spine, however, and the body in general is subject to more or less strain during the every day life, and it is possible that the head and neck may recede toward its old abnormal position, thereby necessitating another correction.

Keep in mind that tissues often must be rebuilt in order for the head and neck to hold its normal position.

In addition, tissues that have perhaps for years assumed an abnormal condition, due to the gradually increasing pressure upon the nerve fibers, must be allowed time to return through the various stages they have passed in the production of the abnormality.

This all takes time, and patience becomes a cardinal virtue, based on the knowledge that all is progressing as it should.

Gradual Retracing

It can thus readily be seen that there is a gradual retracing in the position of the spine from the time when it attains the maximum degree, to the time when it returns again to normal.

There is also a retracing in the condition of the tissues that are supplied by the nerve fibers impinged. They have gradually attained a maximum degree of abnormality and must return through those various stages by which they progressed in the attainment of that abnormality.

Not only is there retracing so far as the spine is concerned and the tissue cells affected, but there also may be a retracing in the symptoms exhibited by the patient.

Various Stages

Different stages of correction can give rise to different symptoms, and as the order reverses itself, symptoms that were present, perhaps years ago, may again occur.

If the spine is being returned rapidly toward its normal position, an entire series of symptoms may develop at one time and the patient consequently will believe they are getting worse.

As a matter of fact, the outlook is particularly bright at this time, and the patient should realize this fact. Naturally, if they do not understand the condition, they will assume that they are becoming worse and may stop Upper Cervical Care entirely.

It cannot be made too emphatic that this is the very time when they should continue with Upper Cervical Care, because the results are being obtained which will do the greatest good.

Must Be Retracing

It is immaterial whether the problem is one of long standing or an acute condition. There must be retracing in the position of the vertebra and in whatever structural or functional change has occurred.

Naturally, if this is true, there must be a retracing in the symptoms. In acute cases they may be so slight in degree that they pass unnoticed.

Finally, every patient should realize the necessity for continuing with Upper Cervical Care, even though they cannot note the progress made from day to day, or even though they believe the condition is worse.

It is essential for this period of retracing to be passed through, and they should not allow any temporary discouragement to preclude the ultimate health, which will be theirs if they continue.

Meniere's Disease: Discussions and Conclusions

by Michael T. Burcon, D.C.

All three Meniere's patients had a history of an automobile accident. All three showed evidence of upper cervical subluxation upon neurological examination, and all exhibited both evidence of a history of whiplash and an existing atlas subluxation in radiographs. All three had posterior and inferior left atlas listings.

It is possible that the anterior tubercle of atlas is irritating the nerve root of CN VIII as it exists from the upper lateral portion of the medulla oblongata, just anterior to the midline of the brain stem. Two patients reported that their ear problems were predominately on the right, the third case was bilateral. If atlas subluxates to the left, it could apply pressure on the right nerve root.

Medical research has established a connection between spinal trauma and numerous neurological conditions besides Meniere's disease, including Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Trigeminal neuralgia, epilepsy and migraine headaches.

Physicians often make the mistake of thoroughly examining only the area of chief complaint. When relevant, I believe it is prudent to start at the nucleus of the cranial nerve or center that supplies function to that area. For example, the brain stem, for balance disorders(CN VIII), irritable bowel syndrome (CN X, Vagus), high blood pressure (vasomotor center) and sleep disorders (reticular formation).

CONCLUSION

A case study is limited in its ability to provide conclusions. It is possible that the patients recovered through spontaneous remission or because they believed their problems had been discovered and improved, creating a placebo effect. The time span before chiropractic intervention and the long-term, clinically documented, neurophysiological improvements after initial adjustments weigh against these affects.

All patients with a history of vertigo and/or dizziness should be questioned about a history of trauma, especially whiplash from an automobile accident, contact sports injury, or serious falls, etc. Patient often forget these accidents, thinking that they were not hurt because they did not break any bones and were not bleeding. Patients with a history of both should be referred to an upper cervical specific chiropractor for examination.

Case 3: Upper Cervical Care and Meniere's Disease

CASE 3

by Michael T. Burcon, D.C.

HISTORY: Thirty five year old female presented with history of vertigo, swallowing difficulties, nausea, cervicalgia, cephalgia, double vision, occasional deafness, weakness and fatigue since 1996. She was working part-time out of her home, unable to drive or go anywhere. She reported having a minor car accident in 1991.

Diagnosed with Meniere's disease, TMJ dysfunction, rheumatoid arthritis and Arnold-Chiari malformation. Prescriptions included Duricef, Retin-A, Benzymicin and Antivert. Her father had been diagnosed with Becker's muscular dystrophy.

EXAMINATION: Leg checks demonstrated 1" right pelvic negative, 1" left cervical syndrome and positive C1 and C5 tests. Restricted range of motion with left lateral flexion. X-rays, video fluoroscopy and MRIs showed atlas to be inferior and posterior on left articulation, under lapped on the right, and inferior and posterior C5 and C6. Thermograph showed pattern of a break to the left at levels of C1 and C5.

INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: Within 24 hours of first specific atlas adjustment, all symptoms had subsided, except dysphagia, which had gotten worse. All balance tests were negative and cervical thermograph was straighter. Full cervical range of motion was restored.

Atlas adjustment has been repeated when pattern of subluxation has returned, a total of six times in the past two years. The swallowing problem has persisted.

Case 2: Upper Cervical Care and Meniere's Disease

CASE 2

by Michael T. Burcon, D.C.

HISTORY: Fifty seven year old female diagnosed with Meniere's disease in 1991. Onset was sudden and severe. She reported being paralyzed for a short time. Following this episode, she gave up driving. She was a passenger on a bus that was in a relatively serious accident in 1975.

Symptoms were relieved for two years by endolymphatic shunt surgery. Recent test revealed 50% hearing loss in right ear. Symptoms were currently returning most mornings and lasting into the afternoon. They were relieved by diet pills, valium and bed rest. She decided to try chiropractic as an alternative to a second shunt surgery.

EXAMINATION: Patient reported dizziness, nausea and stiff neck. Leg checks demonstrated ¾" right pelvic negative, ¾" right cervical syndrome and positive C1 test. Limited range of motion of cervicals bilateraly. Cervical thermograph showed right break at level of C1. X-ray analysis revealed atlas subluxation to be posterior and inferior on the left articulation, under lapped on the right.

INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: After specific atlas adjustment and rest, patient was post checked. She was balanced, all tests were negative and all symptoms were gone. Cervical range of motion was restored. Cervical thermograph was straight. After one year, patient is holding adjustment and symptom free.

Case 1: Upper Cervical Care and Meniere's

CASE 1

by Michael T. Burcon, D.C.

HISTORY: This 87 year-old female suffered frequent episodes of vertigo, tinnitus and nausea for 45 years. She was in a moderate car accident a few years before onset. During episodes, she walked around her home holding onto the walls, trying to keep her head level at all times. She reported numerous falls over the years, some resulting in broken bones.

She was diagnosed with Meniere's disease at University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor and Memorial Hospital in Chicago. She tried a variety of medications which would help her sleep, but did not help negate her symptoms. Surgical history of colostomy and right radical mastectomy noted. Four or five years prior to the onset of symptoms, she was a passenger in a car that rear ended another stopped vehicle while traveling approximately 45 mph.

EXAMINATION: Subject reported severe dizziness, blindness in the left eye, fullness in right ear, pain and stiffness of the neck and numbness in the left thumb. She was unable to lift her left arm above her shoulder. Exhibited limited range of motion with left lateral flexion and left rotation of the head. Edema was noted below the posterior base of the skull in the area of atlas.

Leg checks showed a 1" right pelvic positive and 1" left cervical syndrome. Modified Prill check elicited positive test for C1 subluxation. Cervical x-rays revealed narrowed disc spaces at multiple levels, particularly evident at C6-7. Minimal marginal spurring and bony overgrowth of facet joint margins. Atlas was subluxated posterior and inferior on the left articulation, under lapped on the right. Fifth cervical was inferior and posterior.

INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: Immediately following specific atlas adjustment, subject reported complete alleviation of vertigo and dizziness. When she awoke the next morning, the tinnitus was also gone. She held the adjustment and was symptom free for two years. Cervical range of motion was improved.

After suffering a minor stroke, closely followed by three compression fractures caused by osteoporosis, the subluxation returned and a second adjustment was given. That adjustment has held for six months.

Reduction in Asthma with Upper Cervical Care

(Upper Cervical) Chiropractic Management of 47 Asthma Cases

from Today's Chiropractic, November 2000
By William Amalu, DC.

Study Report

Over a seven-year period, 47 cases of asthma were managed in an outpatient setting. Every case was followed for a minimum of two years to observe effectiveness of care. The study group comprised 28 males and 19 females, ranging from 7 to 42 years of age. Of the 47 cases, 32 patients ranged in age from 7 to 19 years.

All of the cases presented with an incoming medical diagnosis of asthma and corresponding classification level. Medical specialists monitored these patients for objective respiratory improvement and medication changes. A thorough initial history and physical examination was performed to corroborate the diagnosis. The chronicity of this condition ranged from 2 to 23 years. Patients with intermittent or exercise-induced asthma were excluded from this study due to the ease of care response in most cases. Of the 47 cases, 11 were classified as mild persistent, 28 as moderate persistent and 8 as severe persistent. Each patient's progress was assessed on every office visit by rating the intensity of the symptoms along with the frequency of their acute medication usage.

Upon stabilizing the upper cervical spine, determined by consistently presenting normal paraspinal infrared images, objective improvement in all 47 asthmatic cases was 87-100 percent. The total time of care to reach this point ranged from 3 to 9 months, with a mean time of 16 weeks. The most common initial care frequency used was 3 times per week with tapering frequency after 4-8 weeks. Total care visits ranged from 14 to 44, with a mean of 26 office visits to stabilization. All 47 patients reported maintaining their improvements at two years or more of follow-up care. The sole care method rendered consisted of corrections of aberrant arthrokinematic function of the occipito-atlanto axial complex (upper neck), via adjusting with Applied Upper Cervical Biomechanics procedures.

Torticollis / Wryneck Significantly Reduced

UPPER CERVICAL CARE FOR SPASMODIC TORTICOLLIS CASES
by Kevin A. James, D.C.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study involved two torticollis cases. On both instances patients presented at our office complaining of severe neck pain. Severely distorted posture of the head and neck area was present in both cases. Both patients were less than 20 years old. One patient was male. The other patient was female. With this severe pain and grossly distorted postural changes, we would use the Grostic/Orthospinology Procedure to attempt to make a spinal correction that would improve the patient's health and well-being.

METHODS: The patient would be examined and a set of cervical x-rays were to be taken using the Grostic Procedure Model. After the x-rays were analyzed, the patient would be adjusted using the hand or instrument as described by the Grostic Procedure/Orthospinology.

However, due to the severe pain involved in these cases, the method of spinal correction was modified based on the doctor's knowledge and understanding of the cervical biomechanics. Along with these modifications, the hand and instrument form of spinal correction was used.

After the spinal correction was made, post Grostic x-rays were taken to note any changes.

RESULTS: In one case, a stroking pull type maneuver (Laney's Finger Tip Pull), as described by Dr. Cecil Laney at a previous Life University Annual Upper Cervical Conference, was used with great success. This maneuver was used because the patient, due to his head weight and pain, could not lay on his side. This successful correction was noted on post cervical x-rays as used in the Grostic Procedure. The second case was adjusted with the stroking pull maneuver and with the hands and instrument as described Orthospinology. This patient was in such pain that the Laney maneuver did not make any notable differences and the customary correction methods were used. Following post cervical x-rays, on this second patient, a notable correction was observed also.

CONCLUSION: In cases, presenting with severe spasmodic torticollis, the symptoms of severe pain are normally expected. The correction of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex in the Upper Cervical area is a must. Due to the severe pain and muscle spasm involved with spasmodic torticollis, the light forced gentle non-manipulative Grostic Procedure provides an excellent method of correcting the VSC causing this spinal imbalance. If this patient is unable to lay down in the proper position due to severe spasm and pain, the doctor's knowledge of the cervical biomechanics as described by Dr. John F. Grostic can be applied using the Laney Finger Tip Pull obtaining favorable results. Once the subluxation has been reduced enough to allow for decreased muscle spasm, the patient can now lay in the desired position for care. The customary hand or instrument adjustment can be used to complete the correction of the VSC.

One TN Patient's Experience

Perhaps their experience will guide you to the light at the end of your dark tunnel.

My story began 10 years ago with a fast onset of terrible pain. I went to the G.P., general dentist, oral surgeon, ENT, chiropractor, neurologist, neurosurgeon. It was the ENT professional who first diagnosed this after I had had the "usual" treatment of root canal and my dental fillings all changed to composites. After the diagnosis I was sent to the neurologist and on to the neurosurgeon who seemed gleeful to see me. When I balked at the first consultation, he assured me I "would be back." I have wandered through the usual maze of drug therapy, staggering, falling, and feeling in a daze. I have listened to others who swore by acupuncture (it did nothing for me); crystal therapy (yes, I tried that too!); chiropractic maneuvers (made it worse), and even having the offending nerve cut by an oral surgeon (permanent numbness but pain returned, of course). I have been depressed, given antidepressants, been more depressed, considered ending it all. But through it all I have worked! Have to. How? It has been an absolute heroic event. Finally, this past fall someone tried to convince me to try a "specialized chiropractic treatment" upper cervical. Sure, I thought. Another voo doo thing. I was sent a tape to listen to. The tape sat on my desk for months. One day I thought I would listen to it before I threw it out. Listened to it and thought, this is absurd. I listened to it several times and then thought, well, I'll try one more shot at voo doo. Finding one of these specialized people was hard. I did careful research, finally calling the national organization and spending a long time on the phone with the person in charge. I came away with two names of certified practitioners. I made an appointment and cancelled. Waited another few months. The pain was bad. Made another appointment and kept it. The specialist told me about the atlas bone in my spine. I was unconvinced, but now what did I have to lose? It was one more try with witchcraft or on to surgery. So, I gave it a try. I got better. I was skeptical. I am a tough patient. Since I started, I have had very good success with this procedure. I am now down way down on my meds. I can now function and eat and talk. I am still unwilling to say unequivocally that what I am doing will work for anyone else, but so far it has given me relief. At least the pain is gone...for now.

Trigeminal Neuralgia and Upper Cervical

Yet another example of Upper Cervical Care and the results possible.

Chiropractic management of trigeminal neuralgia: A preliminary study

Roger Hinson, DC and Susan Brown, PhD, DC.

Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN), the most common pain disorder of the face and one of the most painful afflictions known,1 affects one or more branches of the fifth cranial nerve and has a reported annual incidence of 4.3 per 100,000.2 Once known as the suicide disease, TN effects women more often than men and the annual incidence rate increases significantly with age. The pain, abrupt in onset and typically lasting no more than a few seconds, can be triggered by both mechanical and thermal stimuli from inside or outside the area of pain. TN may undergo spontaneous remissions and recurrences, but the frequency of pain commonly increases with chronicity. 3

Medical management starts with a course of anticonvulsants (carbamazepine, gabapentin, phenytoin) gradually increasing in dosage as symptoms warrant. Surgery is performed if symptoms are initially, or become, refractory to medication. Percutaneous ablation of the Gasserian ganglion is the most commonly practiced approach but carries a relatively high risk of numbness and dysesthesia. Microvascular decompression (MVD) of the trigeminal root, involving open surgery through the posterior fossa, has the best results with long term pain relief and the lowest chance of numbness and dysesthesia but greater incidence of serious complications. All currently practiced neurosurgical procedures are associated with significant morbidity and recurrence rates.

There is no reference in the indexed literature to the efficacy of chiropractic procedures for TN. We report outcomes of an 8 week trial of chiropractic care on 8 subjects suffering from TN.

Patient Background

Eight subjects were recruited for this study through a support organization for facial pain sufferers. All reported with a previous diagnosis made by a neurologist of trigeminal neuralgia. Seven subjects met diagnostic criteria for trigeminal neuralgia set forth by the International Headache Society (IHS), while one subject (5) described pain more characteristic of atypical trigeminal neuralgia (ATN) as there were no pain free periods and Aslow@ pain, i.e. aching, burning sensations, was more bothersome than brief, lancinating pain. One subject (7) suffered from trigeminal neuralgia and contralateral anesthesia dolorosa (AD), an iatrogenic disorder caused by surgical deafferentation and characterized by a constant sensation of numbness and burning pain. She had suffered from bilateral TN prior to unilateral radio frequency ablation two years previous.

All subjects were under medical therapy at the time of enrollment and five had undergone unsuccessful surgical treatment, four subjects had undergone two procedures and one had undergone a single procedure. All were female and the ages ranged from 47 to 79 (mean, 62; SD 11.6) years. Chronicity of TN symptoms ranged from 1 15 (mean, 7.4; SD 5.3) years.

Methods

Informed consent was obtained from all subjects prior to enrollment. (Upper Cervical)Chiropractic management was per Grostic technique protocol, which utilizes three mutually orthogonal x ray views for measuring upper cervical displacement from a theoretical norm. Adjustments were administered by one clinician as indicated by supine leg length estimation and dual probe thermocouple analysis. The adjustments consisted of a low force, precisely vectored impulse delivered to the transverse process of C1 with an instrument. Patients were seen three times per week for the first 2 weeks of care, then twice a week for weeks 3 and 4. Visits were scheduled for weeks 5 through 8 as needed, typically once a week.

Pain was assessed via short form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF MPQ), VAS and pain drawing. Depression was evaluated with the Modified Zung Depression Index. The Rand SF 36 was used to evaluate quality of life. Questionnaires were administered at two weeks prior to (Upper Cervical) chiropractic care, on the first day of care, and after 4 and 8 weeks of care. Subjects maintained a diary in which number, intensity and duration of paroxysms and analgesic usage were recorded.

Results

Reduction in pain was reported by all subjects during the experimental phase. Mean values after eight weeks of intervention were reduced by 69% for MPQ and 78% for VAS. Depression as measured by Zung was reduced by 43%. Pain drawings demonstrated reductions in distribution of pain for all patients. Antiseizure medication usage was discontinued by two, decreased by 33% by one and by 66% by one, and unchanged by four subjects during the eight week period of intervention. Two subjects reported complete absence of paroxysmal pain within four days of first adjustment and no return of paroxysms during eight weeks of intervention. One subject suffering from otalgia had no recurrence of such pain subsequent to first adjustment.

Discussion

The spinal tract and nucleus of the trigeminus descend from the caudal brainstem down to the level of the second cervical vertebra. That area of the nucleus located in the cervical spine, the subnucleus caudalis (Vc), contains second order neurons receiving pain and temperature stimuli not only of trigeminal origin, but also from the facial (n intermedius), glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves, and converges with neurons in the upper cervical dorsal horn which convey equivalent stimuli from upper cervical dorsal rami.

Trigeminal, geniculate, glossopharyngeal, vagal and occipital neuralgias have been described as hyperactive dysfunction syndromes. The efficacy of antiseizure compounds in the treatment of these primary neuralgias results from the depression of exitatory mechanisms of Vc neurons.4 The venules which drain the lateral columns proximal to the dorsal horn where Vc is located operate at low pressure and have little redundancy 5. If adverse mechanical tension were transmitted to the cord via upper cervical dentate ligaments, this area would be among those earliest effected. Such tension could lead to direct mechanical compression of the descending tract of the trigeminus, which lies on the periphery of the cord adjacent to the dorsal spinocerebellar tract, or of Vc. Compression might also lead to venous stasis with resulting hypoxia and hyperexcitability of Vc. We speculate that such tension may result from displacement of the atlanto occipital and atlanto axial joints, and that correction of such displacements may result in attenuation of Vc hyperactivity.

Conclusions

Results from this study suggest that upper cervical chiropractic procedures may be of benefit to TN sufferers. Further study is needed to better qualify the efficacy of chiropractic procedures for TN and other primary neuralgias. A controlled trial is planed to improve the evidence base on which clinicians and patients can make decisions.

References

1. Goodman J. chap 14. In: Biller J, Ed. Practical Neurology. Lippencott Raven, 1997: 142 3

2. Katusic S, Williams DB, Beard CM, Bergstralh EJ, Kurland LT. Epidemiology and clinical features of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia and glossopharyngeal neuralgia: similarities and differences, Rochester, Minnesota, 1945 1984. Neuroepidemiology 1991;10(5 6):276 81

3. Adams R, Victor M, Ropper A. Principles of Neurology, Sixth Ed. McGraw Hill 1997

4. Kondo T, Fromm GH, Sxhmidt B. Comparison of gabapentin with other antiepileptic and GABAergic drugs. Epilepsy Res 1991 Apr;8(3):226 31

5.Gillilan LA. Veins of the spinal cord. Anatomic details; suggested clinical applications. Neurology 1970 Sep;20(9):860 8

Upper Cervical Care the NUCCA way

Below is a brief explanation of NUCCA, one of many approaches within the Upper Cervical work.

The Bottom Line
By Dr. Kimberly Meier

How is NUCCA different than the chiropractic that I have received throughout my life?

The most obvious answer is that NUCCA only deals with the atlas subluxation complex (ASC), defined by NUCCA as being "the misalignment of C1-C2 away from the vertical axis in one or more plains, resulting in neuromuscular stresses, which in turn produce misalignments of the spine, pelvis and contiguous structures." As a patient under NUCCA care you will notice the lack of any thrust or audible crack when the adjustment occurs. You will feel no more than a light touch on your neck with less than 1/8" depth. It is a slow, sustained adjustment that can commonly last one to two minutes.

Why is this adjustment so different?

The answer to this question fills the two-volume textbook "Occipital-Atlantal-Axial Subluxaton Complex" by Dr. Kirk Eriksen. This text, published in 2000, contains all the latest research regarding the upper cervical anatomy and the extensive effects of an upper cervical misalignment. The bottom line of all the research is that it has been clinically apparent for years that upper cervical misalignment produces whole body imbalance and symptoms. NUCCA address the ASC using a low-force, specific adjustment, with the goal of balancing the patient’s entire posture.

What is involved in practicing NUCCA?

The first patient visit will include the routine exam, history and consultation, similar to that of any chiropractic office. The NUCCA protocol, however, closely follows the following scientific method.

Determining the primary cause of the problem. First the doctor will determine the problem through a set of "pre" x-rays and full body posture measurements. A quantitative value is determined for both the patient’s misalignment and overall postural imbalance.

Creating a hypothesis. If NUCCA is the identified as the appropriate treatment, and if so, a precise angle of treatment is determined.

Carrying out the proposed solution, The problem will be addressed. The patient will be adjusted. 4. Objectively evaluating the results. Finally, proof will be gathered that the problem has been fixed. This is done through "post" x-ray analysis, post postural analysis and leg check. Each component of the post analysis gives the doctor direct feedback on the success of the adjustment that he delivered. If the adjustment was not successful, the doctor can then make calculated changes to the adjustment and re-evaluate.

Why would I choose NUCCA over other techniques?

The first statement would be "because it works". But so do other techniques, right? The full answer to this question is because NUCCA makes sense to me. It is indisputable that the anatomy of the upper cervical area is unique and that it is the most powerful and sensitive area of the spine to adjust. It makes sense to me that you should deal with the ASC with the greatest accuracy and least depth possible. Because of the dural attachments to the upper cervical area, it makes sense that the entire spine will be affected. It makes sense to me that, when patients receive a specific adjustment, they will hold their correction for several months and even years. This is when the true healing will occur in that patient. It makes sense to me that NUCCA provides a systematic approach to determining each patient’s adjustment and then evaluates the success of that correction. There is immediate feedback for the doctor and I can be confident that each adjustment I deliver is specifically tailored to that person’s ASC. It makes sense to me that, with each patient, I will be striving to achieve the same goal: postural balance. Through the upper cervical adjustment I will be able to affect head tilt, head rotation, pelvis tilt and pelvis rotation, thus affecting the entire structural framework of the body.

As stated by the president of the NUCCA organization, "you can force the body to change with a manipulation, or you can change the body with a force: NUCCA." Have I come to terms with the fact that NUCCA does not appeal to every patient? Absolutely. The low force adjustment is not the conventional idea of what patients expect from a chiropractor.

Almost every new patient to a NUCCA doctor is a direct referral from a current patient and they know what to expect from care. These patients are well aware of how the NUCCA adjustment is different and are making a dedicated choice based on the results that their family or friend has experienced. Patients are driving up to 12 hours or more to receive NUCCA care and passing hundreds of chiropractors on the way. Why? Because they know and understand what NUCCA has to offer.

Have I come to terms with the fact that NUCCA does not appeal to every doctor? Of course. Because of NUCCA’s specific protocol and immediate objective feedback, this technique attracts certain doctor personalities. Due to my analytical nature, this is one of the strongest appeals of the technique. The post analysis will be both encouraging (when the adjustment is successful) and frustrating (when I don’t move a thing!) but nonetheless make me accountable for each adjustment that I deliver. It is this idea of accountability and specificity in each adjustment that brings me down to the bottom line.

The greatest gift I will be giving my patients everyday is my conviction and confidence in believing that I am giving them the best correction that I know is possible. I hope that you all can say the same.

Lung Function and Upper Cervical

The study below suggests that with correction of the upper neck via Upper Cervical Care the function of the lungs can be improved.

Changes in Pulmonary Function Associated with Upper Cervical Specific Chiropractic Care
Robert Kessinger, D.C.
[Vol 1, No. 3. p 1-7]

A study was conducted on 55 patients in the private office setting to assess the influence of upper cervical adjustments on pulmonary function. Subjects were monitored before and after chiropractic care by spirometric indices which measured forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV-1). Of the 55 subjects, 33 (60%) presented with lung function outside of the normal range.The 33 subjects outside of the normal range showed the greatest increases in FVC and FEV-1 over the two week course of the study, although subjects within normal range also showed improvement in the spirometric tests.Additionally, significant positive changes were observed in subjects of both sexes representing the age range of 48-80 years, when compared to the younger age range of 18-47 years. The magnitude of these finding resulted in both a statistically significant functional effect, as well as a moderate clinical effect determined by effect size measurements for FVC and small clinical effect for FEV-1. This study indicates that subjects show improved pulmonary function in FVC and FEV-1 after receiving chiropractic care for the correction of upper cervical vertebral subluxation.

What does Head/Neck Misalignment do to your muscles?

There is anatomical terminology in this one hope the basics make sense to everyone though.

Atlas Subluxation Affects on Muscles

From Dr Marshall Dickholtz, D.C. and NUCCA

A stressor has been defined as a condition in the body produced by an injurious factor and manifested by a syndrome (H.Selye). A subluxated C1 distorts the spine and the pelvis because it causes spastic contracture of the extensor (antigravity) muscle of the spinal column. Spinal and bodily distortion result. A subluxated C1- therefore, is acting as an injurious factor, manifesting itself as a syndrome, which is verifiable by measurement and can be correlated to the C1 subluxation. The patient with a subluxated C1 has a subluxated spinal column, an over-innervation of the motor neurons of the spinal cord, neuromuscular imbalance, loss of muscular synergism, distortion of the spinal column from the true axis of the body, and leg disparity. This is the C1 subluxation complex syndrome, and is correctable solely from a precise and predetermined C1 adjustment.

If disequalibrium and cervical spine displacement do not cause a state of subluxation until C1 moves laterally on the occipital condyles, what constitutes a normal lateral range of motion for C1? Vertebrae can be shown to displace and not cause detriment or insult to the nervous structure. If a vertebrae does displace and thereby causes insult to the nervous structure, it is logical to assume that it has abnormally moved, or moved beyond its normal range of motion. Because C1 cannot misalign laterally more than one half of a degree from its alignment to the occipital condyles (about the thickness of a sharp pencil mark), without imbalancing the neurological inhibitory mechanism of the reticular formation at the caudal end of the brain stem. C1 has practically no normal lateral range of motion.

This phenomenon has been observed and tested on over 10,900 cases over a period of many years. The C1 distortion syndrome has always manifested itself whenever C1 has moved laterally three-quarters of one degree or beyond on the occipital condyles when the vertebra was moving from its normal position toward the abnormal position.

The type of neurological detriment that is caused by the lateral displacement of C1 on the occipital condyles appears to be a mechanical tractionization of the caudal end of the brain stem. It has been noted in medical literature that pathological and traumatic situations affecting the brain stem can produce impairment or loss of the inhibitory control over the body's extensor musculature. National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research Association (NUCCA) research on the effects of a subluxated C1 on the caudal end of the brain stem confirms the medical hypothesis.