Tag Archives: chiropractic

Researching Chiropractic: High Blood Pressure, Migraines, Edema, Back Pain

Chiropractic clinical case histories have been a regular feature of our patient newsletter since its inception. There seems to be no limit to the health problems that respond to chiropractic care. How many people suffering, on drugs, facing a life of limitation could be helped by chiropractic care? 

Probably most of them.

High blood pressure and migraineUntitled design - 2021-09-16T172508.024

The patient was a 25-year-old woman with medically diagnosed hypertension. She also had symptoms of migraine headaches occurring two times per week. Her blood pressure was 134/98 mmHg at the initial examination. 

An upper cervical subluxation was detected on her cervical (neck) X-rays. Her muscle nerve status, leg length, posture, and blood pressure were monitored every visit.

After 12 weeks of care, the patient experienced a significant decrease in blood pressure to 114/80 mmHg. She also experienced a significant decrease in both frequency and severity of migraine headache symptoms. (1) 

Breastfeeding and latching difficultyUntitled design - 2021-09-16T172618.477

A four-week-old baby girl was brought in for chiropractic care by her mother who was concerned about the child’s inability to effectively latch onto her left breast when held in the traditional cradle position.

Multiple subluxations with spasm and tenderness were found at the sacrum (bottom of the spine), the fifth thoracic (mid-back) vertebrae (T5), the atlas (C1 or upper neck), and right TMJ. 

Following an adjustment to the atlas and TMJ there was increased right rotation of the infant’s head and a decrease in left head tilt. Breastfeeding was attempted immediately after the adjustment with success and no further issues remained. The mother reported her daughter was able to latch perfectly and nursed without interruption for 30 minutes. The mother returned the next week and reported total resolution of the infant’s inability to latch on her left breast. (2)

Edema and lower back pain in pregnancyUntitled design - 2021-09-16T172703.488

A 28-year-old pregnant (33 weeks) woman began chiropractic care. She complained of tingling and numbness in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fingers on her right hand. She also reported low back pain and right leg swelling, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and two previous miscarriages.

She received chiropractic adjustments for 9 weeks. Her presenting complaints were completely resolved within that time and she delivered successfully at term. (3)

Do you know anyone suffering from these things?

Please share this article with them and gently suggest they make an appointment to see us.  517.627.4547

  1. Whedon E. Upper Cervical Specific Chiropractic management of a patient with hypertension: a case report and selective review of the literature. Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research. January 21, 2013:1-13.
  2. Drobbin D & Stallman J. Resolution of breastfeeding and latching difficulty following subluxation-based chiropractic care: case report and review of the literature. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic. 2015;3:102-108.
  3. Edwards J & Alcantara J. Resolution of peripheral neuropathy, lower extremity edema, and low back pain in a pregnant female undergoing chiropractic care. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic. 2015;3:86-91.

 

 

The #1 Killer

If you ask what the number one killer is, most people would say it’s heart disease or cancer but the real killer that tops the list is STRESS!  Particularly unadapted STRESS. 

stress

A little stress is no big deal; some stress is enjoyable and even good for you–riding an amusement park ride, getting a new house, starting a business, going out on a first date, getting married, having a baby, and many others. After all, life is full of stresses that challenge us, teach us and help us develop.

But some stress is bad. Chronic, unrelenting stress that stays with us, that seems to never end, that we can’t recover from – that’s the kind of stress that ruins minds and bodies.

It’s the real silent killer. You’ll find stress-weakened tissue that cancers develop in; you’ll find it in the recesses of the heart inflaming blood vessels and valves; you’ll find it upsetting the immune system, setting the stage for autoimmune diseases; and you’ll find it slowly weakening your nervous system and mental health: it is chronic unhealthy stress.

Stress can be physical overwork or overplay. Stress can be toxic caused by pollution, pesticides in our food, GMO (genetically modified) foods, dental/oral infections, not enough sleep, constant worry –the list is long. To be alive is to be under stress.

Chiropractic addresses serious silent stress that weakens you on many levels and prevents your body from functioning at its optimum subluxation. Subluxation is a distortion in your body that prevents you from functioning at 100%.

Chiropractors spend many long hours studying how to locate and correct (release or adjust) subluxations. Because most subluxations are painless you may never know that this stress is building up inside you affecting you physically and mentally.

Freed from the stress of subluxations, your entire being will function closer to its ideal; you’ll have more energy and a healthier immune system that is better able to deal with the many challenges life throws at you.

Call us today to make a chiropractic appointment. 517.627.4547

You are the world’s greatest drug store!

You are the world's greatest drug storeYou create your own drugs (No, I don’t mean illegally!)

The greatest drug store in the world is your own marvelous body, as long as your body is functioning properly.

Your body manufactures:

  • antibiotics
  • insulin
  • painkillers
  • blood pressure and heart drugs

Your body also creates hormones and chemicals that regulate:

  • brain chemistry and mood
  • digestion
  • elimination
  • growth
  • blood chemistry
  • hundreds of other drugs, many still undiscovered

That’s where chiropractic care helps

Chiropractors help keep your internal drug store functioning optimally by locating and correcting a very common condition that causes your body to malfunction. That condition is called a subluxation. A subluxation is usually found in your spine and although it often causes pain, it may also be painless.

Want to keep your internal drug store (the World’s Greatest) making and delivering all the drugs you need for your whole life? In addition to a nutrient-rich diet, make sure your body is free of subluxations – that’s the specialty of your chiropractor. Come in for a chiropractic checkup. Your internal drug store will thank you for it.

Researching Chiropractic: Menstrual cramps, failure to thrive, acid reflux

Chiropractic clinical case histories have been a regular feature of our patient newsletter since its inception. There seems to be no limit to the health problems that respond to chiropractic care. How many people suffering, on drugs, facing a life of limitation could be helped by chiropractic care? 

Probably most of them.

Painful menstrual cramps, shoulder pain, and poor sleep. Untitled design (28)

Painful menstrual cramping (dysmenorrhea) affects the majority of women some time in their lives. This is the case of a 37-year-old woman suffering severe menstrual, shoulder, and low back pain who sought chiropractic care.

Chiropractic analysis found subluxations at the atlas or C1 (top of the neck and base of the skull), T8 (mid-back area), L1 (upper lumbar area), and sacrum. She had care three times a week for three weeks, then two times a week for 14 weeks. 

She reported better sleep as well as a reduction in low back and shoulder pain almost immediately. After a while, she stopped having debilitating menstrual cramps and no longer had to take days off from work. Her cycle, which had been five days, decreased to three days. (1)

 

Failure to thrivepremie

A 13-day-old baby boy was brought in by his distraught parents due to failure to thrive, which can be fatal. He had lost 27 ounces since birth and his parents were providing around-the-clock care to keep him alive. He was crying most of the time. When the mother attempted to nurse him, the baby would detach from the breast or would fall asleep quickly. The mother described her son as lethargic and with a very weak cry. Medical doctors had nothing to offer.

Chiropractic care consisted of upper cervical (neck) adjustments and a left hard palate adjustment. His sacrum was also corrected. After the first visit, his mother noticed that her baby was able to nurse for a full 45 minutes without “popping off.” She cried due to overwhelming emotions when she explained that the pain she had been feeling was gone and she felt hope for the first time since her child was born.

After three months of care, his weight had doubled, exceeding the standard set by the Mayo Clinic of doubling birth weight by five months old. (2)

 

Acid reflux, feeding difficulties, and sleep disturbance in an infant. crying baby

A 7-week-old prematurely born baby boy had been born by Caesarean section. He had acid reflux, problems swallowing, difficulty sleeping, problems latching, and was spitting up after feeding. Subluxations were located and corrected. He received nine chiropractic adjustments over 11 weeks to the cervical (neck), thoracic (mid-back), and sacral (lower) regions of his spine. The acid reflux, feeding difficulties, and sleep disturbances were resolved by the second adjustment. (3)

Please pass this info on…

Do you know anyone who is suffering from any of these symptoms or issues? Please share this article with them and encourage them to make an appointment with us.

Call to make an appointment:  517.627.4547

  1. Wozniak J, Schultz K. Resolution of dysmenorrhea in a 37-year-old female following chiropractic care to reduce vertebral subluxations: a case study. Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research. January 20, 2021:1-8.
  2. Santos J, Alcantara J. Resolution of failure to thrive in an infant following chiropractic care to reduce vertebral subluxation: a case report & review of the literature. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic. January 6, 2021:1-4.
  3. Paris A, Bako S. Resolution of gastroesophageal reflux disease, feeding difficulties, & sleep disturbances in an infant following chiropractic: a case report & review of literature. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic. November 16, 2020:46-49.

When is The Best Time to See a Chiropractor?

Now is the best time.Untitled design (27)

If you are alive and breathing you are under stress and you may have a painless condition increasing in your body called a subluxation.

What is a subluxation?

It is a blockage or distortion of your spine and skeletal system that can irritate your nerves, discs, muscles, joints and even block the energy to your internal organs.

Subluxations prevent you from functioning at 100%. You may have many in your body right now, undermining your health.
Fortunately, there are chiropractors. For over 125 years chiropractors have been the healthcare professionals that specialize in the location and correction (adjustment) of subluxations. The effects of chiropractic adjustments can be powerful.

That is why chiropractic has become the largest drug-free healing profession in the world.

Since subluxations are usually painless, you never know for sure if you have one or more. Come in for a chiropractic checkup and bring the kids and grandparents to get everyone’s subluxations located, analyzed, and corrected.

Are you coming in to get healthy while your family is at home waiting to get sick? 

The beauty of chiropractic care: we are able to locate and correct subluxations before you get sick or have symptoms.

Call to make an appointment:  517.627.4547

Researching Chiropractic: Birth trauma, diarrhea, headaches

Chiropractic clinical case histories have been a regular feature of our patient newsletter since its inception. There seems to be no limit to the health problems that respond to chiropractic care. How many people suffering, on drugs, facing a life of limitation could be helped by chiropractic care? 

Probably most of them.

Birth trauma and brachial plexus injurystroke

A mother brought her five-month-old son with severely limited left arm movement to a chiropractor. She reported a healthy pregnancy but difficult labor and delivery; her son was breech and experienced birth trauma. An episiotomy and forceful pulling on his head and neck were performed in the delivery process.

Chiropractic was utilized as appropriate for the age and size of the patient. The infant gained full motion of his left arm within the two months of chiropractic care and the mother stated that her son may even have a tendency to be left-handed. (1)

Hourly bowel movements in a 98-year old old woman

A 98-year-old man complaining of frequent, nightly bowel movements began chiropractic care. He reported no bowel problems during the daytime but at night he had to get up to defecate nearly every hour, up to 8-9 times a night.

The patient was diagnosed with adverse mechanical cord tension, cervical (neck) vertebral subluxation, coccyx subluxation, and a twisted pelvis. After one month of care (12 visits), the patient’s nightly, frequent bowel movements were completely resolved. (2)

Headaches from a sports injuryspring resoutions

A 12-year-old girl suffered from headaches after a collision during a lacrosse game. She received three upper cervical (upper neck) adjustments to her atlas (C-1) vertebra over a period of five visits within 28 days. Not only did her headaches disappear but her scoliosis (spinal curves) also improved. (3)

Please pass this info on…

Do you know anyone who is suffering from any of these symptoms or issues? Please share this article with them and encourage them to make an appointment with us.

Call to make an appointment:  517.627.4547

  1. Rubin D, Drumheller, K. Resolution of obstetrical brachial plexus injury in a 5-month-old male following chiropractic to reduce vertebral subluxation: a case report & review of the literature. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic. December 4, 2020:50-56. 
  2. Cameron D, Kountz C. Resolution of hyper frequent nightly bowel movements in a 98-year-old male following chiropractic care: a case study. Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research. November 12, 2020:143-149.
  3. Salminen B, Smith Z. Reduction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis & improved cervical curve in a 12-year-old female undergoing orthogonal upper cervical chiropractic care: a case report & review of the literature. Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research. September 28, 2020:50-57.

 

 

Is That a Snake Down Her Back?

We often like to show you the picture of the woman on the right. snake down her back

People have asked, “Is that a snake on her back?” “No, it’s her spinal column (backbone)” we say.

We’ve also been asked:

“What’s with the chiropractic fascination with the spine?”

“How does the back make me sick?”

“How does the chiropractor working on my back make me healthy?”

Good questions. Let’s answer them:

Your brain controls your body. How? Your brain has a marvelous communication system-the nervous system. Billions of nerves leave the brain in a bundle known as the spinal cord and travel down your spine.

Millions of nerves from the spinal cord branch off between your spinal bones. 

Your spinal cord and nerves send your brain’s messages to all your internal organs: heart, lungs, stomach, liver, intestines, etc., and all your muscles, joints, glands, blood vessels, and more! 

For you to be healthy your spinal bones (vertebrae) must be in a healthy alignment or your nerves may be irritated and that can cause a lack of proper communication between your brain and your body. 

That’s where your chiropractor comes in. Your Doctor of Chiropractic locates distortions where the nerves are impinged or stressed (subluxations) and corrects or “adjusts” your spine to relieve this distortion. 

For a healthy body, for ideal function, for a strong terrain, you need a healthy spine. A healthy spine helps ensure a healthy nervous system. That’s the role of your chiropractor.

Click HERE to make an appointment or call 517.627.4547

Latest News From Charmaine: February 2021

Well, we are well into the heart of winter! Trust you are making time to enjoy it, even if it is only from behind a window.photo3-300x198
But seriously, getting out into the “chilly” weather is good for your immune system and also helps to fend off the very real weight gain that happens when you combine major sports events, the ritual eating that goes along with such events, chilly weather, and being somewhat sedentary.

I am back to playing with heavyweights after a long covid layoff and I must say the body does thrive with being challenged.

Please watch out for the ice that is to be found at this time of year because, as one practice member said, his wife was stargazing in broad daylight! I really love Yak Trax or similar gadgets that give you a little more traction right now…but it definitely does not mean you are fireproof (or fall-proof!!)

SEE YOU IN THE OFFICE/STUDIO/UNDER BARBELLS

Drs. Ray & Charmaine

Click HERE to contact us or call 517.627.4547

Chiropractic Healing from the Past

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_David_PalmerDD Palmer discovered chiropractic in 1895. He saw its potential as a powerful drug-free natural healing art, a rediscovery of ancient practices going as far back as ancient Egypt and Greece. With his understanding of anatomy and physiology, Palmer developed a system of natural care he called CHIROPRACTIC.

Palmer divided his discovery (or re-discovery) into two parts:
1. A procedure to locate nervous system interference or blockages in a person’s spine and
2. A procedure to release or unblock the flow of nerve energy.
The nervous system blockage he called a subluxation, the procedure used to release this blockage he called an adjustment. While these are common terms today, used by chiropractors throughout the world, they were a breakthrough in his day – and quite controversial. But that
didn’t matter because it worked! It worked very well.

Palmer founded a school to teach his new method. Initially, he would only teach people who were themselves health care professionals. His first students were doctors of osteopathy, naturopathy, and medicine. Later, seeing a great need, he expanded the curriculum and
permitted non-professionals to enter the Palmer School of Chiropractic and learn this new science, art, and philosophy.

Palmer’s writings inspired many. Below is one of his more famous selections. It is as relevant today as it was when it was first published in 1910. In the dim ages of the past when man lived in rude huts and rocky caves, even up to the present time, he resorted to charms, necromancy, and witchcraft for the relief of mental and physical suffering. His whole object was to find an antidote, a specific for each and every ailment which could and would drive out the intruder, as though the disorder were a creature of intelligence.

In his desire to free himself from affliction and prolong his existence, he has searched the heavens above, he has gone into the deep blue sea, the bowels of the earth, and every portion thereof. He has tried animal and mineral poisons, penetrated the dark forest with superstitious rite and incantations, has gathered herbs, barks, and roots for medical uses. In his frenzy for relief … he has slaughtered man, beast, and bird, making use of their various parts alive and dead. He has made powders, ointments, pills, elixirs, decoctions, tinctures, and lotions of all known vegetables and crawling creatures….(1)

In his maddening search for something out there, something outside of his body to heal him, man forgot to look inside – where health and healing truly arose. Dr. Palmer’s words were a wake-up call to humanity. He was crying out: “Look within; what is preventing proper function? What is interfering with healing? Release the blockage and health will be restored.”

Such was the message of his new discovery, chiropractic, which was to bring to suffering humanity. This natural healing art, science, and philosophy – Chiropractic – has saved untold millions from drugs and surgery.

It continues to do so today.

Your Listings: How are yours?

We’re not talking about your listing in the phone book (do people use them anymore?) or whether your boat is tilting in the water. When chiropractors use the word “listing” it’s used to describe the direction your vertebrae or spinal bones are subluxated or out of position.  

sailing-boat-3399011_1920

For example, let’s say you’re told your listing is “C-1 right.” What does that mean? Well, C1 is shorthand for your first cervical (neck) vertebra. It’s located just underneath your skull. “C-1 right” means that C1 is shifted to the right. C-1 RA means that the vertebra is shifted right and has rotated anterior (or forward) on the right. 

If we said that your C-2 is left that would indicate that your second cervical vertebra is shifted left. Your seven cervical vertebrae are named C-1, C-2, C-3 all the way to C-7.  

You also have 12 thoracic vertebrae named T-1 to T-12. You have five lumbar (lower back) vertebrae named L-1 to L-5. 

Your vertebrae can misalign in many individual directions – left, right, inferior (down), superior (up), rotation, anterior (towards the front), posterior (towards the back), medial (towards your center), lateral (away from your center) – and many combinations of directions. There are also different listing systems based on the various adjusting techniques chiropractors use. 

It can get very complicated. 

How do doctors of chiropractic determine what your listing is? X-ray analysis is a common tool that is used but there are others in use in the profession.

 

To discover if you have any listings, schedule an appointment with Dr. Charmaine or Dr. Ray.  Please Contact us  or call 517.627.4547