(Editor’s note: This interview was originally posted in February 2009. I am re-posting it today in honor of Dr. Tomasi’s visit to Parker College of Chiropractic.)
Dr. James Tomasi’s life was changed by Upper Cervical Chiropractic. He spent twelve years suffering from tic doloureux, otherwise known as Trigeminal Neuralgia, or TN. That is until Upper Cervical Chiropractic gave him back his life. Since then, he has been one of the most vocal, if not THE most vocal advocates of Specific Upper Cervical Chiropractic care. His work has impacted so many that Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic awarded him an honorary chiropractic degree in 2007. Dr. Tomasi was kind enough to offer some of his valuable time to The Atlas of Life.
Brandon: In your book “what Time, tuesday?” you describe, in-depth, your struggle with trigeminal neuralgia. Could you tell us a little bit about that?
Dr. Tomasi: “I wrote the book “what Time, tuesday?” explaining my trial of overcoming the pain of TN to bring hope and a possible way of escape to those in similar situations. My experience is typical for TN patients caught in the endless cycles of spasmodic nerve pain. I eventually went past despair to hopelessness, then to planned suicide. Most chronic pain people go through these stages. Fortunately, I had a spouse who had faith for a miracle and encouraged me to wait for the answer.
There are over 100,000 copies in circulation at the moment. The book has brought countless numbers of patients into the offices of the UC DC’s. We speak to those under care, contemplating care and those who’ve found release from their nightmare under Upper Cervical Care, on a daily basis.”
Brandon: How did you discover Upper Cervical Chiropractic?
Dr. Tomasi: “My wife heard a testimony about Upper Cervical over a Christian radio program, The Oasis Road Show, out of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Rhonda made an appointment for me with the nearest UC DC. The following Tuesday hope was restored just prior to the planned suicide time I’d chosen.”
Brandon: How long was it before you noticed a lasting change in how you felt?
Dr. Tomasi: “I believed the spasm’s were worse immediately following the first correction. A few hours later I had the first break in the pain for over 9 months. The breaks increased in length sporadically the rest of the day. The pain decreased in intensity following each correction. After 3 corrections, 11 days later, I was pain free.
The pain was gone for 13 months. It returned intermittently over the next 3 years as my neck curvature restored to normal. (My head was in front of my shoulders and I had developed a hump on my back the size of two hands.) Once my neck reassumed the proper alignment, the nerve no longer affected my face, and the pain only returned for a few days the few times I experienced trauma to the atlas area.”
Brandon: What message can you convey to people who might be suffering from debilitating conditions and haven’t yet tried Upper Cervical Chiropractic?
Dr. Tomasi: “I strongly urge anyone who is suffering with a disease and have been told that they are “Just going to have to learn to live with it” to seek help immediately. I have witnessed innumerable recoveries with this science. Go to www.upcspine.com to find a doctor in your area. Read our story at www.whattimetuesday.com and www.ICServants.org. We present videos about Montel Williams and other patients at www.UpperCervicalAdvocates.com.”
Brandon: You co-founded the group Upper Cervical Advocates. Can you tell us a little bit about this group’s purpose?
Dr. Tomasi: “My wife Rhonda is President of the Upper Cervical Advocates Association. The primary purpose is to encourage the patients of the UC doctors to help spread the word throughout their community on a volunteer basis. This is encouraged in local advocate meetings and nesletters. Live TV web streaming is being utilized as well as the “what Time, tuesday?” books and “The Power of Upper Cervical” movie
Some of the goals are to provide a scholarship fund established to assist people who have no money reserves in receiving care. Many have a vision to establish a House of Hope like the Ronald McDonald house where people can stay when they need extended care. Other goals are establishing Research Centers and providing education assistance to Chiropractic students choosing to specialize in Upper Cervical Chiropractic.”
Brandon: What is your current role with Upper Cervical Chiropractic?
Dr. Tomasi: “My current role is the promotion of Upper CervicaI Care at a grass roots level, through new books and speaking engagements. We speak in churches, civic organizations, business fairs, conventions, Universities and one on one. Radio and television interviews, as well as blogging are venues we address also.
On a personal level, I advise doctors on both strategic and spiritual levels. A lot of my time is spent answering Emails and phone calls from people considering Upper Cervical Care, or those reporting their success story after receiving Upper Cervical Care.”
Brandon: What is your vision for the future of Upper Cervical Chiropractic?
Dr. Tomasi: “My dream is to see enough publicity about these unique, specialized chiropractors that the general public will know there is another avenue for health and healing outside traditional medicine. We purpose to raise awareness in any market available to us because we want to offer people hope and a viable way of escape. Our prayer is that one day, the public will know the power of this philosophy and it will become one of the known ways to get well without drugs, surgery or a ‘test’ to find out what is ailing individuals.
Unity among the Upper Cervical techniques is a secondary vision. The Evolution convention sponsored by UCHCA brings together the different technique practitioners of Upper Cervical annually. We believe this unity will evolve into more defined research that will validate Upper Cervical as a science more chiropractors will choose to learn, and more medical professionals will respect.
Lastly, we envision and pray for reality shows that depict and interview patients of Upper Cervical that have benefitted health wise and are allowed to share their story with the world so others know where to go to release health and healing messages to their body.”
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
James is an Upper Cervical STUD. How do you think he got Rhonda?
James is my ROCK!
His story hit me hard in Nashville, TN at last year’s evolution and as I endured my own battle he was the voice echoing hope and greatness! James and Rhonda will always have a special place in my heart and I am grateful to have them a part of my life! After I had regained function of my arm and was doing well I hit another stumble and ended up needing care but not knowing where to find it once again. I remember waking up one day and having the right jaw pain once again surface. I was frightened I would be having another battle on my hands.
As I was driving to school I picked up the phone and called James, I knew if anyone would understand me that man would. He was so tender and just the voice I needed to hear. He helped me remember the triumph of the last battle and helped me refocus. Just before I hung up with James, he said a prayer and comforted me.
Not more than an hour after I had been at school I noticed all my missed calls on my phone. James immediately took matters into his own hands and walked right into Dr. Ray Drury’s office telling him of my situation and they both jumped on top of getting me into the right hands once again and prevent me from suffering anymore. Within no time, word had traveled and I was again back under care and with highly qualified hands this time.
Tomasi’s are not only a blessing to Upper Cervical Doctor’s, but they are an inspiration and strength to many upper cervical patients around the world. They truly are what I call “Angels among us”.
Wow Liz, the love and care given to you is amazing! That is what chiropractic is (should) be about! Thank you for sharing!
This inspirational article offers hope to people suffering from painful and debilitating Trigeminal Neuralgia. Thanks for your contribution to my Take Charge of Your Health Care Carnival.
My pleasure Helene. Thanks for posting my interview on your carnival.
Is there a directory of UC chiropractors? My mother suffers from TN and might be interested in trying this procedure. She lives in Minneapolis, MN.
Gary,
The closest thing we have to a full upper cervical listing of doctors would be at http://www.upcspine.com
The only caution there is that it is a self-regulated list, and I know that a few people have consulted the list there for upper cervical care yet come across doctors who said they were upper cervical specific but weren’t really.
Aside from the upcspine site, I know that http://www.nucca.org has a “locate-a-doctor” function which allows you to search by name or location. I haven’t seen that type of feature or listing on the other technique sites, but they may have put one in place since I last checked.
Good luck in the search for care for your mother, and feel free to contact me directly if you’d like a specific referral.