Brain, Spinal Cord Disorders And Upper Cervical Care

Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health

The research discussed a case of a child diagnosed with cerebellar ataxia and spinal variants similar to Arnold Chiari malformation, whose problems completely resolved following upper cervical care. Cerebellar ataxia is a disorder that results in balance and coordination problems and Arnold Chiari malformation occurs when the back of the brain protrudes through the hole in the bottom of the skull.

“Research is revealing that there is a relationship between abnormalities in the spine, the nervous system and the brain,” stated Dr. Adam Willemin, the author of the paper. “Basic science research shows that the proper development and function of the brain relies on proper structure and movement of the spine from an early age.”

Research has shown not only that the developing brain relies on normal structural integrity and joint movement, but that complex neurochemical communication and pathways involved in helping humans to adapt to their environment and even to “feel good” are tied into spinal biomechanics and their related neurological pathways.

“It makes perfect sense when you think about it,” stated Dr. Willemin. “The brain constantly needs and wants to know where our body is in space. If there is interference with the neurological communication between the spine and the brain all sorts of malfunctions can occur and this can lead to balance problems, dizziness and visual disturbances.”

Researchers studying the connection between upper cervical care, brain stem compression and neurological disorders believe that these types of functional disorders can be caused by even slight misalignments of the bones in the upper part of the neck.

“There are very important functional relationships between the upper cervical spine and the brain that if disturbed can result in a host of problems with how the brain functions,” remarked Dr. Matthew McCoy, a chiropractor, public health researcher and editor of the journal that published the study.

According to McCoy “If there is compression of the upper part of the spinal cord from abnormal position or movement of the spinal vertebra this can lead to nerve interference. It is this interference that (upper cervical doctors) correct.”

The child reported on in the study not only had interference but also had protrusion of the back of the brain into the spinal canal causing even more compression. As a result she suffered from balance and coordination problems, could no longer attend school or perform her normal daily activities and experienced improvement after just a few upper cervical care visits. The author of the study called for more research on the role of upper cervical care in patients with these types of disorders.

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

What do Upper Cervical Doctors Do?

There are several ways to explain what Upper Cervical Doctors do. Here are a few. See if you can pick out the common theme and what is missing.

If I were explaining it to a Neurologist/Neurosurgeon:

We address aberrant upper cervical arthokinematics resulting in global neuropathophysiology due to dysafferentation of the monosynaptic input of the primary rami of C1-C3 as they synapse with the vestibular nucleus, the cerebellum, and the trigeminal-cervical nucleus, all of which controls body position and balance as well as going on to a final synapse with the hypothalamus that controls the sympathetic aspect of your autonomic nervous system.

(Thanks goes to Dr. Jack Stockwell for that one)

If I were explaining it to a family doctor or a well educated individual:

The Upper Cervical Doctor provides health care that corrects upper neck injuries in order to improve structural balance and help restore neurological integrity to enable the patient to heal and have improved long-term functional outcomes.

(Thank you Dr. Kirk Eriksen)

If I were explaining it to the average person on the street:

I would say that we restore head/neck alignment to reduce interference in the nervous system so that the body can restore and maintain health.

And finally the real simple version ( a version of what your mother always told you):

We get your head on straight so your body works right.

So take your pick and make sure that you are always talking at your audience's level of understanding. Good advice from Dr. Daniel Clark.

The common theme was that they all refer to correcting something in the upper neck in order to allow the body to function more properly. What was missing? Never once in any of the descriptions of what Upper Cervical Doctors do was there mention of treating or curing a particular disease or condition. Instead we can come to the realization that Upper Cervical Doctors are simply reducing/removing a roadblock to the bodies own healing. Any doctor does not heal, only the living body can do that and all we can do as "healers", regardless of our profession of choice, is aid in the removing of some obstacle to that natural process we call health and healing. Upper Cervical Doctors have known this since their beginning and have devised a practical and scientific way of doing just that and that is why we seem to succeed where others have failed. We do not turn the power (of life) on as some people say because if the power were off we would be dead, we simply Free It Up!