The Story of Dr. Oliver's Daughter

My Daughter’s Story

By Dr. Johnathan Oliver

My daughter story, though, is the real miracle in my opinion. She has had severe eczema and allergic dermatitis. At times her whole body has been covered in a rash. This all started at about 4 months old.

(Even before her first rash, my wife and I noticed that she was always restless; never once sleeping through the night in those four months, and requiring us to walk with her for an hour each night before she would sleep. We tried every cream we could find–as many as 50 different creams, oils, and lotions just to give her relief. Many would make her rashes worse, and even burn. We noticed that the creams with mineral oil, lanolin and other additives made her react the worse. The disturbing thing is the fact that most were labeled "for eczema". The rash was so bad that she would scratch until she bleed on her hands, the creases of her arms, and the back of her legs. Our pediatrician recommended we see a dermatologist.

The dermatologist was a very kind man and said that is was one of the worse cases he had ever seen. He recommended steroid cream due to the risk of infection. He gave us one of the strongest steroids he could, one made for adults. He thought it would be the only thing that might help. We tried it, and it did help…for a little while. But her skin would always flare back up right after use.

We were then sent to a specialist in allergic conditions. My daughter’s skin was so bad that they could not do any testing. So they recommend 12 days of Prednisone to clear up the skin…enough to do the test. Once again it worked a little while, but as soon as we slowed the Prednisone down, it flared back up.

We tried everything but nothing helped. We started giving her a bath ever single night in slightly cool water because luke-warm water would hurt her. She would cry many times when first getting in, due to her rash. Immediately after the bath we would put on Vaseline to help seal in some moisture. At times, I would wrap her wounds with cotton cloth coated with Vaseline so she could get a few hours rest. We tried every elimination diet possible, except the water only diet.

It came down to the last straw when my daughter had a deadly allergic reaction to peanuts. She ate a natural protein bar, which had nuts in, and began swelling up. Her airway was threatened. We took her to the E.R. and they gave her a shot of epinephrine. We still keep an epi-junior with us to this day. Not long after she started having wheezing, a sign associated with asthma. And this was it… I knew something different had to happen.

The same day she started wheezing we drove 16 hours to Florida, only stopping for gas and food. We took her to see a pediatric upper cervical doctor, who did the gentle, precise technique of Orthospinology.

And after her first adjustment we went to the hotel and she slept through the night. This was the first time that I could remember her sleeping so long without scratching. Amazingly, she has not needed any more steroids since that day. Or Vaseline, or any other creams, or lotions. She has only had fits of wheezing three times. We still do not eat wheat, but avoiding wheat only helped after her atlas (first bone in the neck) was adjusted.

Upper cervical care has given us our daughter back . And given us a happy, healthy daughter.

(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.)

Giving Thanks To Upper Cervical Care Past, Present and Future

Today's post is a brief history of vector based Upper Cervical Care and the progression toward the future and the development of the QSM3 Procedure in Upper Cervical Care.  A great big thank you to all the people past, present and future that brought, bring and will bring advancements to this work for the people of the world so that we all may live a life closer to our potential.  Thanks again!

History

Vector based Upper Cervical Chiropractic systems (Wernsing, Grostic, Orthospinology, and NUCCA), all have a long history of high quality specific spinal corrections.  This pinnacle of chiropractic principles attracts some of the brightest and most detail-oriented doctors.  Wernsing introduced the concept of atlas laterality and rotatory (angular) measurement in the 1930’s. Grostic, in the 40’s, introduced a new cervical x-ray series and rotatory system of analysis (along with the supine leg check) in conjunction with Gregory.  Later, with NUCCA, Gregory organized specific misalignment types and greatly clarified the biomechanical principles involved, essentially bringing the correction to its present level of specificity by the late 1970’s.  Since the era of these pioneers, little has progressed in upper cervical chiropractic (UCC). The advent of multiple adjusting machines, although hailed by their inventors for specificity and ease, also have specific limitations in their ability to correct the misaligned spine.

The Progression of QSM³ Procedure

QSM³ is a logical progression and reasoned evolution of these great 20th century systems. It consolidates the brilliant discoveries of vector-based Upper Cervical Chiropractic (UCC) with innovative examination and re-thinking of the various protocols by Dr. Friedman. The attention to x-ray detail, the specific analysis, the correction table, and the lightest touch at the C1 vertebra (< .5lb) are the foundations that QSM3 integrates. The QSM³ procedure measures the 3D misalignment of the human frame to improve the correction potential. QSM³ uses a posture measurement device in a unique way to evaluate pelvis to skull misalignment.  In conjunction with the upper cervical analysis, QSM³ now enables measurement of the complete misalignment pathway. This means more detail, better data, and higher resulting potential to hold the correction.

QSM³ looks at a 3 dimensional full spine correction. This means the weight scales are only a small piece to the necessary information that demonstrates at a diagnostic level that any patient’s spine has been corrected. We see many patients that check clear in the weight scales (frontal plane) but have a head tilt and pelvic distortion. A correction is not one plane or piece but a 3D balance of all parts. The Anatometer, although it lays claim to measure pelvic twist/ distortion, definitely at an engineering level is completely inaccurate. We have retro fit our digital device with a system that measures rotation coupling in the pelvis.

The reason the pelvic distortion/correction is key to a balanced spine is:

1. It is the largest mass in the human frame and must be corrected to restore true balance.

2. It indicates as it rotates that the spine is breaking down against gravity.

3. Is the key aspect for symptomatic relief and must be corrected first before the weight is even an issue. This concept is like talking about the paint on the walls on a house when the foundation has not been set and balanced.

The QSM³ procedure is a comprehensive approach that restores body balance pelvis to skull using multiple headpiece placements when necessary to correct, by component, the breakdown of the human frame. Not everyone is a perfect linear misalignment but a culmination of years of multiple traumas.

This approach after being board certified in more than one UC procedure has begun to answer the complications that are a regular occurrence with stability and better results.

QSM3 and Upper Cervical Care: A New Approach to an Old Idea

QSM3 is an amazing new approach to upper cervical care from a man, Dr. Russell Friedman with an engineering background and board certified in both Orthospinology and NUCCA upper cervical techniques.  The first person to really re imagine and progress upper cervical care in over forty years.  Please check out this video!  I will also be adding a link to their website on the left side of this page.



(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.)

Questioning Upper Cervical Care Is A Good Thing

(Editor's Note:  The following is an email conversation that I recently had with a man who is under Upper Cervical Care in Texas and is having some concerns about care.  Questioning the care is a good thing as it allows us to clarify the objective of Upper Cervical Care and that is just as important for the doctor as it is for the patient.  I hope it aids others as the conversation aided him.  It has been edited to remove personal info on the patient and the doctors that he is seeing.)

Dear Dr. Robertson,

I just wanted to see if I can get your opinion on an issue I am facing.  I have read your blog up and down.  It is one of the things that keeps me going to an Upper Cervical doctor.  I’ve been going to one for almost four months and it has been rough.  My family has been against me going the whole time, especially my wife, and I continue to go because I think it is eventually going to pay off, and it has helped me in some ways.

I’ll keep my story as short as possible.  Twelve months ago I was a healthy 39 year old Dad.  I have had great health all my life except for having to take medication that completely controls seizures that I started having 13 years ago.  Then, I jumped into the bottom of a slide while playing TAG with my daughter exactly 12 months ago.  Things weren’t too bad at first but I’ve had a whole host of symptoms since then (tingling, numbness, and pain in hands and feet, heavy legs, dizziness, pain at the base of the skull, headaches, hand coordination issues, neck pain, back pain, etc.).  I saw three neurosurgeons over the course of the first six months and they all focused on three herniated discs in my neck that happen to be located in a location in which my spine is moderately narrow.  Two said no surgery at this time and one recommended surgery.  They weren’t too worried about a subluxation at C1 and C2, although one did have a dynamic CT run on me which showed more rotation to the right than the left and said I had some instability.

A friend recommended Upper Cervical (UC) to me and I started almost four months ago.  I live in San Antonio and drove up to Austin for each appointment.  I pretty much went weekly for three and a half months.  The day after the first adjustment I almost went to the ER.  My arms and legs tightened up so much that I had a hard time walking and using my arms.  I kept going though and the pain at the base of my skull, the headaches, and neck tension pretty much went away.  My legs also started to feel less heavy and have gotten pretty close to being normal again.  The feeling in my legs completely changed after that first adjustment and it felt like I was learning how to walk again.  They felt pretty bad for that first month but have slowly gotten better, although occasionally they go back to being heavy again.  Hand coordination issues, and especially dizziness have gotten a lot worse though and have continued to be worse.

Over the course of these four months I have been seen by two of the UC doctors in Austin and had 9 adjustments.  One of the Dr.’s in Austin recommended that I start seeing a UC doctor in San Antonio so I started going to one here about two weeks ago.  He has adjusted me once, four days ago, and yesterday I felt the worst I have felt since that first adjustment.  Granted, I’m used to having bad days, especially the 3rd day after an adjustment, but this one was bad and I had not felt that bad in quite some time.  It also came on the heels of the longest run of feeling decent after an adjustment so it was a shock.  I thought I was making some progress except for the dizziness.  Yesterday made me feel like I haven’t made any progress and it has made me start to lost hope in UC.

Today I ran some numbers, and prior to UC I felt decent 44% of the time.  Since starting UC four months ago I feel decent 43% of the time.  My wife and Mom have been on me to stop going to a UC, and I have started seeing a Prolotherapy Doctor about having the ligaments around C1 and C2 injected with Platelet Rich Plasma in hopes of strengthening them.  I’m going to give UC some more time but I am losing hope.

Sorry for the long e-mail.  I just wanted to get your thoughts.  Do you think Upper Cervical Care will eventually work for me?  Also, have you ever had any patients combine it with Prolotherapy or cold laser therapy?

Thanks,

Upper Cervical Patient

Dear Upper Cervical Patient,

Thanks for the email.

It pains me to hear of a story like yours.  I can see your frustration and honestly if it was me I probably would not have stuck with it as long as you have. 

But that being said, I have a question before we get into your options.

Which upper cervical technique (method of adjusting the upper cervical spine) do they use?

There are about a half dozen well known upper cervical techniques and I have seen situations where a patient is not getting the results they are looking for and switch to a different technique within upper cervical makes a huge difference. 

Your mode of onset is consistent with a problem in the upper cervical spine so it may be just about finding the right technique for you.

It is also possible, depending on the upper cervical doctors' findings, that you may need something else to correct the problem.  But do know that there is an answer somewhere even if it is only in you...we just need to find it. Your body knows how to maintain itself and heal itself.  It has been doing a marvelous job of it the last 39 years.  We just need to figure out what the roadblock is this time.  It may be upper cervical and a change in approach to that or something completely different dealt with differently by someone different. 

Remember the objective of upper cervical care, as I mention again and again in the my posts, "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."

We free up a "stumbling block" a "stress response" a "locked spine" to allow the body and the wisdom that runs it the chance to improve and maintain itself.  Now this sounds wonderful and is, but it doesn't mean it is the answer to some, all or any of your symptoms.  We hope it is because it is a simple non-invasive way of letting the body do what it does (heal and be well in all aspects of life) but at times it needs other things to, to get us through a rough patch.  Either way the body always needs a good nerve supply between brain and body and that is our focus.

Get the answers to the two questions at the beginning and we will go from there.

I hope I can be of help...It is why I am here.

Yours in service,

Dr. Travis Robertson

Dear Dr. Robertson,

Thank you so much for your response.  That is a key point that I sometimes forget, in that the goal of UC is to correct the misalignment.  No matter if it helps my symptoms or not, I believe correcting the misalignment is important.  When my alignment is correct I feel taller and more balanced than I have in years, maybe decades.  That, along with the fact the corrections have made several of my symptoms better, is why I continue to go.

Also, don’t get me wrong.  Upper Cervical Care has helped me in a lot of ways.  Like I mentioned, some of my symptoms are completely gone and my legs seem to keep getting somewhat better.  My one big worry, is that the adjustments are making my dizziness worse.  My theory is that my ligaments around the atlas and axis must be stretched due to how I hit my head, and this is keeping me from holding the corrections.  After holding my second correction for three weeks I haven’t been able to hold one more than two weeks since.    In your experience, can the ligaments and tendons around the atlas and axis heal and tighten up over time?   

Both UC doctors in Austin practice the NUCCA technique, and the one in San Antonio uses Orthospinology and utilizes a Laney instrument to adjust.  I have had about five pretty decent stretches of days in which I was feeling pretty good, and even normal on three different occasions, after adjustments via NUCCA.  They both had me feeling pretty good at times.  I just could never hold the adjustment for an increasing amount of time so one of them suggested staying closer to home and not making that drive once a week.  It is too early to tell how I will do under Orthospinology.  I’ve had a couple of rough days since my last correction, the first with Orthospinology, but of course I had bad days while under NUCCA as well.

I believe in Upper Cervical Care.  I want to prove that it works.  Everyone around me thinks I should give it up but I know that it has had some effect on all of my symptoms and I think it will eventually help all of my symptoms.  I just worry about the dizziness and not being able to hold the corrections so far.  Both of those worries have led me to Prolotherapy for possible injection of my own Platelet Rich Plasma into those ligaments.  I’m not at that point yet, but it is an option if things don’t get better.

I really appreciate your time and response.  Also, thanks for the great job that you are doing with your blog.  Know that it is helping those of us out there that are in care or thinking about care.  If you have any suggestions I’d be glad to hear them, but I know that you are busy with your own practice and blog.  I really appreciate you listening and let me know what you think about the ligaments being able to heal.

Thanks Again,

Upper Cervical Patient    

Dear Upper Cervical Patient,

Yes, in my opinion, if given the right conditions, the ligaments and tendons can heal.  This is more likely possible the longer you hold your corrections.  Our ligaments and tendons and the rest of our bodies are always in a constant state of repair and renewal.  We continuously remodel our bodies based on the stress that are put on it combined with our needs as a living individual.  It is an ongoing 'dance'.  I would continue then with what you are doing. 

The upper cervical area is very influential to our sense of balance so if the damage was significant the body would have locked that area to protect the important structures and then adapted its balance system to the change.  Now they are attempting to restore proper alignment to allow for more complete healing and it is disturbing the 'post injury re-calibrated balance centers'.  That would be my best educated guess anyway for the potential increase in dizziness.  The adjustments that you are receiving are very gentle so the potential to cause damage is extremely small.

I have included a copy of my book in pdf format.  It may also prove useful in your journey.

Keep me in the loop and I will offer what help I can. Never lose sight of your goals but also never lose sight of the upper cervical objective.  That will guide you in what else you may need to do, besides upper cervical, to achieve the results you are looking for.

Yours in Service,

Dr. Travis Robertson

Dear Dr. Robertson,

Your explanation on the dizziness increase makes a lot of sense.  That is the best possible explanation that I have heard.  Maybe if I finally get to that holding stage my body will be able to re-calibrate and it will go away.  I had been thinking of trying to combine acupuncture and upper cervical care to see if that helps with the dizziness.   

Thank you so much for your help and for including a copy of your book.  I will definitely utilize it.

Thanks,
Upper Cervical Patient

Upper Cervical Care and Kids

Upper Cervical Care and the Pediatric Patient
by Dr. Claudia Anrig
from: Dynamic Chiropractic - April 10, 2006, Volume 24, Issue 08

Upper cervical technique is not new to the chiropractic profession. It started with the toggle (HIO) technique, developed by Dr. B.J. Palmer, followed by other upper cervical techniques, such as Grostic, NUCCA, orthospinology and atlas orthongal. In preparing this article, I interviewed Dr. Julie Mayer Hunt, a second-generation upper cervical chiropractor who is board certified in orthospinology and has earned diplomate status in chiropractic pediatrics. She is currently a board member of the Society of Chiropractic Orthospinology and the Academy of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Organizations (AUCCO).

According to Dr. Mayer Hunt, "The upper cervical spine is one of the most vulnerable areas of the spine and is a critical area to keep free from nerve interference." She cites a study published in the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics that identified approximately 58 articles regarding chiropractic care of the pediatric patient.1 All of the literature reviewed involved upper cervical adjustments (UCA) and reported the overall level of improvement as a result of rendering specific chiropractic care. Many of the studies involved cases in which any of a myriad of conditions frequently affecting children was resolved completely. Moreover, the response time of a UCA often was seen within one to three treatments. The conditions cited included infantile colic, glaucoma, irritability, head trauma, hemiparesis, projectile vomiting, tonsillitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, nocturnal enuresis, allergies, sleep disorders curvature of the spine, fever, otitis media, asthma, ADHD, headaches, torticollis and seizures. The JCCP study summarized studies involving more than 1,000 children under chiropractic care; the findings suggested the focal area of care involved the upper cervical spine.

Dr. Kirk Eriksen best describes the upper cervical biomechanics as not moving in only one plane of motion. During normal cervical movement, coupled motion occurs. Coupling is defined as motion in which rotation or translation of a rigid body about or along one axis is consistently associated with simultaneous rotation or translation about or along another axis. During normal range of movement, coupled motion helps reduce tension on the nervous system. This is accomplished by offsetting pure lateral flexion or rotation, with small amounts of movements in the X, Y or Z axes.2

One feature of an upper cervical subluxation is that the occipito-atlanto-axial articulations have misaligned in an uncoupled fashion. This condition is measured radiographically in a neutral posture, with the spine at rest. The body must continually adapt, from a biomechanical and neurological standpoint, to this type of subluxation.2

The birth process alone can contribute to upper cervical trauma and instability. Abraham Towbin, MD, reported the results of a study on newborn spinal cord/brainstem injuries that he conducted at the Harvard Department of Neuropathology.3 He performed autopsies on more than 2,000 newborns that died shortly after birth. In his report, Latent Spinal Cord and Brain Stem Injuries in Newborn Infants, Dr. Towbin stated: "Spinal cord and brain stem injuries often occur during the process of birth, but frequently escape diagnosis. Respiratory distress is a cardinal sign of such injury."3

A study by H. Biedermann, published in the Journal of Manual Medicine, high lights the importance of checking the newborn following delivery. In his evaluation of 1,000 newborns, he discovered that 119 cases revealed kinematic imbalances of the suboccipital spine. The finding of suboccipital strain equated to approximately 12 percent of the population group.4

Upper cervical techniques traditionally use the supine leg-length evaluation to determine necessity for adjusting the atlas. When evaluating the pediatric patient with the supine leg check, a leg-length difference is often readily apparent, usually half an inch or greater. Dr. K. Eriksen notes the following hypothesis regarding the short leg findings:

"The spinocerebellar tracts are located along the lateral edge of the spinal cord and are located at the most probable site of maximal mechanical irritation via the dentate ligaments. These proprioceptive tracts are primary pathways for regulating muscle tone and joint position sense. The spinocerebellar tracts are arranged in a laminar fashion (although somewhat angulated) with the most lateral fibers innervating the most caudal structures (i.e., legssacrallumbarthoracic cervical [very limited]). Irritation of these tracts could lead to muscle tone imbalance of the pelvic girdle resulting in a functional short leg."5

Upper cervical chiropractors also note postural corrections as a byproduct of specific upper cervical adjustments. These doctors advocate that one of the benefits of chiropractic care for the pediatric population is eliminating spinal stress (weight of the head centered and structurally/neurologically balanced) on the child's developing spine.

A resource regarding upper cervical techniques for both pediatric and general practice is Dr. Erikson's book, Upper Cervical Subluxation Complex: A Review of the Chiropractic and Medical Literature. The book reviews the anatomy and kinematics of the upper cervical spine, and explains how impaired biomechanics causes neurological dysfunction and physiological concomitants.5 This textbook is not intended to be about chiropractic technique; rather, the text provides the "why" as opposed to the "how" of upper cervical chiropractic care. A follow-up book providing specifics on upper cervical techniques including pediatric care is scheduled to be released in spring 2007.

Claudia Anrig, DC, practices in Fresno, Calif. She is on the board of directors of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. For more information, including a brief biography, a printable version of this article and a link to previous articles, please visit Dr. Anrig's columnist page online: www.chiroweb.com/columnist/anrig.

To learn more regarding specific upper cervical techniques for pediatrics, access the following resources:

orthospinology: www.orthospinology.org
atlas orthogonal: www.atlasorthogonality.com
NUCCA: www.nucca.org
It should be noted that Dr. Mayer Hunt has published several pediatric case studies on irregular bowel function, cystic hygroma and asthma,6-8 which illustrate functional improvement of these nonmuscular disorders when the subluxation was corrected by specific upper cervical adjustments.

References

1. Prax C. Upper cervical care of the pediatric patient: a review of the literature. Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics 1999;4(1):257-263.
2. Eriksen K. The upper cervical subluxation complex. Today's Chiropractic, March/April 2004.
3. Towbin A. Latent spinal cord and brain stem injuries in newborn infants. Develop Med Child Neurol 1969;(11):54-68.
4. Biedermann H. Sub-occipital strain in newborn infants. Journal of Manual Medicine 1992;(6):151-156.
5. Eriksen K. Upper Cervical Subluxation Complex: A Review of the Chiropractic and Medical Literature. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2003.
6. Hunt JM. Upper cervical chiropractic care of an infant with irregular bowel function: a case report. Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics, Spring/Summer 2000:221-312.
7. Upper cervical chiropractic care and resolution of cystic hygroma in a twelve-year-old female: a case study. Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics, Spring/Summer 2000:221-312.
8. Upper cervical care of a pediatric patient with asthma: a case study. Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics, Spring/Summer 2000:221-312.

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.