The Atlas of Life Chiropractic » Science

How to Get More Energy for Healing, Digestion, and Thinking

Brandon Harshe, DC — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 12:00:40 +0000

“Better than 90% of the brain’s output is directed towards maintaining your body in its gravitational field. Therefore, the less energy one spends on one’s posture, the more energy is available for healing, digestion and thinking.” -Roger Sperry, 1981 Nobel Prize winner for brain research

The first cervical vertebra, Atlas or C1, is the most freely movable vertebra in the spine, and the one most likely to cause irritation or tension to the spinal cord. It pivots around the second cervical vertebra, Axis or C2, connected only by ligaments and tendons, but no disc as in the rest of the spine. This is what allows the majority of spinal rotation to occur, but at the price of instability. In most cases, you will not feel the vertebral subluxation in your upper cervical spine.

When a vertebral subluxation occurs in the upper cervical spine, you won’t feel it in most cases, but it will have a number of negative effects on the body. Because it is causing irritation and/or tension near the brain stem, vital organ function can be negatively impacted. Conditions such as high blood pressure, asthma, allergies, and digestive problems can arise. Because of a high number of sensory nerves in the upper cervical spine called mechanoreceptors, a vertebral subluxation can manifest itself in various conditions such as neck pain or stiffness, or tension headaches. You could even experience other conditions like migraines or vertigo as a result of having an upper cervical vertebral subluxation.

A vertebral subluxation can also cause an overall body imbalance that, because of the misalignment component of the upper cervical spine, will result in overall spinal compensation. This will be characterized by spinal curvature, contracted or tight muscles on one side of the spine, postural imbalances such as a tilted head, high shoulder, and high hip, and an imbalance in leg lengths. Over time this will lead to advanced forms of degeneration like bone spurs and fusion of the vertebrae, as well as back and shoulder pain, and even herniated discs.

So restoring proper position to the Atlas and Axis vertebrae have more of an effect on your overall well being than you have ever imagined. If you haven’t had your nervous system and upper cervical spine checked, it’s time you did.

Great Upper Cervical Safety Study by Eriksen et al.

Brandon Harshe, DC — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:58:17 +0000

Last week a new safety and efficacy study in regards to Upper Cervical Chiropractic was published. This study was conducted by Dr. Kirk Eriksen, with help from Dr. Bo Rochester and Dr. Eric Hurwitz to conduct the statistical analysis.

Overall, 83 Upper Cervical Chiropractors submitted information on 1,090 patients, which totaled 4,920 office visits (4.5 per patient) requiring 2,653 upper cervical adjustments (2.4 per patient) over 17 days. After this initial course of care, patient satisfaction was a 9.1 out of 10. It was fairly common for patients to report a worsening of or new symptoms in the first 24 hours of care, but this is not surprising considering the realigning the spine goes through and healing the body begins to do when the upper cervical spine is restored to its proper juxtaposition. What’s really remarkable, but not surprising, is that all 83 Chiropractors have delivered over 5 million adjustments with no reported incidence of serious adverse events.

I uploaded a copy of the study for you to see here. Enjoy!

How the Story of Masha & Dasha Krivoshlyopova Relates to Chiropractic

Brandon Harshe, DC — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:28:33 +0000

(Editor’s note: This article can be found at Chirowebs.net.)

The new mother was told that her twin babies had died after birth. However the truth was far different: they were sent to an institute near Moscow to be studied. This was to be the fate of “Masha” and “Dasha”, one of the most unusual sets of “Siamese” or conjoined twins ever born.

Identical twins are formed when a fertilized egg divides into two eggs. The two eggs grow into two babies that are identical in every respect. Conjoined or Siamese twins are formed in the same way as identical twins but the eggs, for some reason, don’t completely separate; instead, they remain partially attached. It was the unique way in which the twins were connected that caused Soviet scientists to take such an interest in them.

Although Masha and Dasha have four arms, they have only three legs. They stand on two of their legs, one controlled by Masha, one by Dasha (they were five before they learned how to walk) while a third, vestigial leg remains in the air behind them. Their upper intestines are separated but they share a single lower intestine and rectum. They have four kidneys and one bladder, and often disagree on when to urinate. They have a common reproductive system.

Because their circulatory systems are inter connected, the twins share each other’s blood. Therefore, a bacterium or virus that enters one twin’s bloodstream will soon be seen in the blood of her sister. Yet surprisingly, illness affects them differently. Dasha is short-sighted, prone to colds and right-handed. Masha smokes occasionally, has a healthier constitution, higher blood pressure than her sister, good eyesight and is left-handed.

The twins differing health patterns present a mystery. Why did one become ill with a childhood disease, like measles for example, while the other did not? The measles “bug” was in both of their bodies, in their collective bloodstream; so why didn’t both get the measles?

Evidently there is more to “getting the measles” than having the measles “bug”. This phenomenon was seen over and over again with the girls (flu, colds, other childhood diseases were all experienced separately). If germs alone had the power to cause infectious diseases, why would one of the twins be disease-free while the other was ill? What was it in their makeup that differentiated one from the other?

The answer was not far to seek. Although Masha and Dasha had common circulatory, digestive, excretory, lymphatic, endocrine and skeletal systems (they were joined at the hips), they had separate spinal columns and spinal cords. This was the only important difference between the two girls.

In Masha and Dasha, nature’s “laboratory” devised an experiment that no human researcher could ever duplicate. These extraordinary twins are an invaluable example confirming that there is much more to “catching” a disease than simply breathing in germs; germs can make you sick if and only if your body provides fertile ground to grow in.

The state of your nerve system can determine whether you have high or low resistance to disease. If you are suffering from disease, the health of your nerve system will play a decisive role in whether or not (and how rapidly) you will recover. By keeping your spinal column and nerve system free of subluxations, chiropractic care helps you optimize your overall state of health.

Masha and Dasha became celebrities when they appeared on a popular national television program in Russia. They were reunited with their mother (their father had since died) and are hopeful: “The past forty years haven’t been so good, but things are looking up for the next forty,” said Dasha.

5 Characteristics of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex

Brandon Harshe, DC — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:00:32 +0000

We have discussed the vertebral subluxation quite often here on The Atlas of Life, from the acronym MOPI (which stands for misalignment, occlusion of a foramen, pressure to spinal cord and nerves, and interference to transmission of mental impulses), to the effects it can have on overall health.

But what actually happens to the body when a vertebral subluxation occurs? What is the specific process a body goes through when a vertebral subluxation is present?

Below are the five components of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex₁, or VSC for short:

Spinal Kinesiopathology — spinal pathomechanics, including alignment and motion irregularities
Neuropathophysiology/Neuropathology — compressed or facilitated nerve tissue
Myopathology — muscle spasm, muscle weakness/ atrophy
Histopathology — inflammation, edema and swelling of tissue, usually local to the traumatized area
Pathophysiology/Pathology — pathophysiologic and pathoanatomical changes due to the previous four components usually seen locally as degeneration, fibrous tissue and/or erosion local and peripherally as a loss of global homeostasis.

It’s safe to say that none of these components are something you want in your life, so make it a point to get your nervous system checked. If you are in the Carrollton/North Dallas area, contact us here to schedule your appointment today!

REFERENCE

Flesia, Jr., Joseph M. The Vertebral Subluxation Complex: An Integrative Perspective. ICA International Review of Chiropractic 1992 (Mar): 25-27. Retrieved March 28, 2011 from http://www.chiro.org/LINKS/FULL/The_VSC_1.shtml

The Secret Cause of Ear Infections You Might Not Know

Brandon Harshe, DC — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:00:58 +0000

Here’s a video I made last week concerning ear infections and Chiropractic. Anyone who has kids has more than likely experienced their kids getting an ear infection. This video might shed some light as to why. Enjoy!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Seasonal Allergies, Your Immune System, & Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

Brandon Harshe, DC — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 12:00:23 +0000

Spring is a beautiful time of the year. Flowers are blossoming, trees are blooming, and leaves are turning green.

It is also a time for a certain disorder of the immune system, something we know as seasonal allergies.

But did you know that allergies are not a part of life, that it is not normal to experience itchiness, conjunctivitis, and runny noses dripping with mucous?

These symptoms are signs that your immune system is compromised, that it cannot defend itself against normally harmless substances we call allergens.

Because our immune systems can’t withstand these allergens, our IgE antibodies activate an excessive amount of mast cells (white blood cells) and basophils to respond, creating an extreme case of inflammation. Hence, the symptoms mentioned above.

So, if allergies are a disorder of the immune system, how do you fix it?

As it turns out, the immune system, like every other system in the body, is controlled by the nervous system. The nervous system is the master system in the body, controlling all functions in the body such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, gastrointestinal function, etc.

Interference to the nervous system will compromise any of those aforementioned systems, including the immune system. Interference comes by way of the vertebral subluxation, a spinal misalignment that results in pressure or tension on the spinal cord near the level of the brain stem. Since the brain stem is the mission control center of the nervous system, a vertebral subluxation at C1 or C2 can be very debilitating to the overall function of the body.

This allergy season, make sure your immune system is functioning properly by getting your nervous system checked. As someone who has suffered from bad seasonal allergies most of my life, I can tell you from experience how important this is for your health.

If you live in Carrollton, don’t wait until you are laid low from allergies this year. Contact us here and make an appointment to get your nervous system checked today!

The Importance of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

Brandon Harshe, DC — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 12:00:51 +0000

The Atlas of Life Chiropractic is dedicated to restoring vital function to the nervous system through gentle and specific Upper Cervical Chiropractic care. This is done by removing upper cervical spinal misalignments that cause interference or blockages to communication between the nervous system and the body. These misalignments are called vertebral subluxations, and can be caused by physical, chemical, and emotional stress. If left unchecked, vertebral subluxations may eventually lead to numerous conditions in all areas of the body, such as high blood pressure, vertigo, migraines, shoulder pain, low back pain, allergies, ear infections, acid reflux, carpal tunnel, parasthesia, tinnitus, trigeminal neuralgia, Meniere’s disease, and more.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Chiropractic is the science, philosophy, and art of restoring nervous system function, thereby allowing clear communication between the brain and the body.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The brain stem controls all communication between the nervous system and the body. Most people do not realize this includes the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system, pain sensitivity, and consciousness among other things.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Most people think of Chiropractic simply as back pain relief. Of course, the stereotypical Yellow Pages ad of the man wincing in pain, supporting his arching lower back as cartoon-esque lightning bolts shoot out don’t help the Chiropractic image either.

Sure, Chiropractic alleviates pain. But at its core, Chiropractic is about restoring proper function to the nervous system. This is done by removing a bony misalignment that results in irritation and interference to the nervous system.

Upper Cervical Chiropractic is focused on the top of the spinal column, the upper cervical spine, where this irritation and interference is at its worst. This bony misalignment resulting in interference to nervous system communication is what we call the Vertebral Subluxation.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The first cervical vertebra, Atlas or C1, is the most freely movable vertebra in the spine, and the one most likely to cause irritation or tension to the spinal cord. It pivots around the second cervical vertebra, Axis or C2, connected only by ligaments and tendons, but no disc as in the rest of the spine. This is what allows the majority of spinal rotation to occur, but at the price of instability. In most cases, you will not feel the vertebral subluxation in your upper cervical spine.

Click here to view the embedded video.

In short, a vertebral subluxation CAN and WILL decrease the quality of your life if not found and removed. This is where The Atlas of Life Chiropractic can help you.

Learn More About Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

To further your understanding of Upper Cervical Chiropractic, feel free to read the following blog posts:

Montel Williams and His Experience With Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic is Much More Than Back Pain and Neck Pain

Upper Cervical Chiropractic Adjustment Proven to Equal 2 Blood Pressure Medications

Upper Cervical Subluxation Neurology Explained

The Avalanche of Declining Health

Upper Cervical Anatomy: The Suboccipital Triangle

Upper Cervical Injury: The Real Kryptonite that Brought Superman Down

Yanking, Twisting, Torquing, Slips, Falls, Tumbles, Accidents… We Need Our Spines Checked Regularly!

If you live in the Carrollton/North Dallas area and want to schedule an appointment at The Atlas of Life Chiropractic to see if Upper Cervical Chiropractic care can help you, contact us here.

Dramatic Full Spine Improvements with Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Only

Brandon Harshe, DC — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 15:20:47 +0000

If you are wondering whether an Upper Cervical Chiropractic adjustment is a waste of time for someone experiencing symptoms or problems in other parts of the spine, the next video should change your mind. Thanks to Dr. Steven Danaher, NUCCA chiropractor in San Rafael, CA for putting this fantastic video together. Enjoy!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Migraine Headaches: 9 Forms of Pain & Misery

Brandon Harshe, DC — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 11:00:31 +0000

(Editor’s note: This is Part 2 in a three part series on migraine headaches and how Upper Cervical Chiropractic care can help.)

Migraine headaches have the ability to render the suffer incapacitated anywhere from hours to days. The pain, sensitivity to light and sound, and nausea will floor the toughest of individuals.

Migraine headaches, however, don’t come as a one-size-fits-all condition. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, so to speak. Today’s blog post will shed light on the different forms of migraine headaches sufferers may experience.

1. Acephalgic or Silent Migraine

Simply put, an acephalgic or silent migraine is considered a migraine attack without the headache aspect. If you remember, migraines typically have the four phases: prodrome, aura, headache, and postdrome. A silent migraine may go through prodrome, aura, and postdrome, or it may only go through one of the phases.

2. Migraine without aura

Similar to silent migraines in the sense that not all four phases are experienced, this is a migraine attack minus the aura. This migraine will go through the warning symptoms of prodrome, but no visual disturbances that an aura will bring.

3. Migraine with aura

This is a migraine attack where visual disturbances do occur. They may take the form of flashing lights or zigzag lines in the field of vision, or loss of vision. Unusual sounds may be heard and strange smells may be smelled. There may also be tingling in the side of the face or in the extremities on the side where the migraine is developing, along with confusion and dizziness. Hypersensitivity to touch may also occur in the aura phase.

4. Abdominal Migraine

This form of migraine typically only takes place with children ages 5-9, although adults may experience it as well, though rarely. An abdominal migraine consists of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, pale complexion, irritability, and loss of appetite. Abdominal migraines are actually considered common, with 2-4% of all children suffering from one at some point or another.

5. Basilar-type Migraine

Basilar-type migraines are basically migraines with aura. However, the aura originates from the brain stem and affects both hemispheres of the brain, though no motor weakness is present. The aura of this type of migraine can last up to 60 minutes and can be quite scary, simply because blindness can be one of the symptoms of the aura. Basilar-type migraines used to be called basilar migraines because it was thought they originated from a spasm of the basilar artery, but are actually neural in origin. Hence the name “basilar-type.”

6. Hemiplegic Migraine

This form of migraine can be categorized into two types: familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) and sporadic hemiplegic migraine (SHM). The symptoms of hemiplegic migraines mimic the symptoms of vascular disease, so it can be difficult to tell the difference. The symptoms of FHM and SHM are a prolonged aura anywhere from days to weeks, hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of the body), symptoms of meningitis without the actual disease, confusion to profound coma, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, phonophobia, ataxia (impaired muscle coordination), and the headache itself. Sometimes the onset of this type of migraine can be so sudden, it will be mistaken for a stroke.

7. Retinal Migraine

Retinal migraines are characterized by five signs: they are monocular (only in one eye), aura-type disturbances in the one eye, temporary unilateral vision loss, one-sided headache lasting 4-72 hours, and there must be two occurrences to be considered a retinal migraine.

8. Ocular or Opthalmic Migraine

This migraine is considered painless and only lasts 20-30 minutes. It is characterized by a sudden visual disturbances similar to the aura that spread across the field of vision and give the appearance of looking through a cracked window.

9. Status Migraines aka Status Migrainosus

Migraines typically last no more than 72 hours. When they last longer than 72 hours with debilitating pain, it is considered a status migraine and is an emergency situation.

If you are someone who suffers from migraine headaches, or you know someone who suffers from migraine headaches, and you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, contact me here to find out how Upper Cervical Chiropractic care will help you.

Migraine Headaches: An Aura of Throbbing, Pain, & Misery

Brandon Harshe, DC — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:00:48 +0000

(Editor’s note: This is Part 1 in a three part series on migraine headaches and how Upper Cervical Chiropractic care can help.)

We all know someone who has suffered from migraine headaches. Maybe you have personally suffered from migraines. They can be one of the most debilitating conditions in existence, rendering the sufferer useless anywhere from hours to days. I have personally experienced migraines several times in my life, and it was far from fun.

There are a number of causes that may trigger migraine headaches. Many women have reported migraines before and after their periods when estrogen levels drop significantly. Foods and drinks such as cheese, beer, and red wine can cause migraines, as well as excitotoxic substances such as aspartame and monosodium glutamate. Too much stress can contribute to migraines, as well as environmental changes. Sensory stimuli such as bright lights, loud sounds, paint thinners, and cigarette smoke can also cause migraines. Too little or too much sleep can provoke the onset of a migraine, as well as intense physical activity. Migraines can also be a side effect of certain medications.

Approximately 30 million people suffer from migraine headaches, with three-fourths of those sufferers being women. Migraine symptoms include pulsating or throbbing pain typically on one side of the head, nausea or vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, visual disturbances or aura in 20% of migraine sufferers, and worsening of symptoms with physical exertion.

There are typically four phases to a migraine headache:

Prodrome
Aura
Headache
Postdrome

Prodrome

About 60% of migraine sufferers experience prodrome. Prodrome is characterized as a set of symptoms that precede the migraine itself, serving as a warning sign. These symptoms may include stiff neck, dizziness, lack of appetite, diarrhea or constipation, photophobia, sound sensitivity, increased urination, fatigue, depression and irritability, difficulty performing mental tasks, feeling cold, hyperactivity, thirst, and euphoria.

Aura

About 20% of migraine sufferers will experience visual disturbances prior to the onset of a migraine. These disturbances include flashing lights, geometric patterns that obscure vision, loss of half of visual range, shimmering lights around the edges of vision.

An can also be accompanied by odd smells and hearing sounds, weakness, mild paralysis on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, and a “pins and needles” feeling.

Headache

The actual headache phase of the migraine can last anywhere from four to 72 hours. It can start on both sides of the head and eventually migrate to one side, or it can start on one side and spread out to the rest of the head.

Postdrome

This stage is regarded as the aftermath to a migraine, similar to a hang-over from drinking too much alcohol. It can last hours to days and can be attributed to medications to treat the migraine or the actual headache itself. Symptoms of postdrome can be lowered mood levels, especially depression, feelings of well-being and euphoria, fatigue, poor concentration and comprehension, and lowered intellect levels.

If you live in the Dallas area and suffer from migraine headaches, contact me here to schedule a free consultation to learn how Upper Cervical Chiropractic care will help you.

The Atlas of Life Chiropractic » Science

How to Get More Energy for Healing, Digestion, and Thinking

Recommended Reading

Great Upper Cervical Safety Study by Eriksen et al.

Recommended Reading

How the Story of Masha & Dasha Krivoshlyopova Relates to Chiropractic

Recommended Reading

5 Characteristics of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex

Recommended Reading

The Secret Cause of Ear Infections You Might Not Know

Recommended Reading

Seasonal Allergies, Your Immune System, & Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

Recommended Reading

The Importance of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

Recommended Reading

Dramatic Full Spine Improvements with Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Only

Recommended Reading

Migraine Headaches: 9 Forms of Pain & Misery

Recommended Reading

Migraine Headaches: An Aura of Throbbing, Pain, & Misery

Recommended Reading