HERE IS WHAT HAPPENS

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Prior to a spinal injury or trauma, the 12-lb. head is evenly centered over the neck. After an injury or stress, the head shifts away from centre of balance.

To compensate, the neck shifts from its intended position putting undue stress on muscles, ligaments and the central nervous system. To compensate for this change and to keep the body in balance, the entire spinal column begins to shift. An injury to the head and neck may cause a wide variety of problems to occur throughout the entire body. Because this structural stress adversely influences the nervous system that is responsible for controlling and coordinating the entire body systems, symptoms may be experienced in a variety of locations.

A specific correction to the upper cervical region can restore balance to the entire spine and pelvis. This can provide extensive healing and recovery through improved spinal and neurological balance.

THE ATLAS SUBLUXATION COMPLEX

The first neck vertebra, also known as the atlas or C-1, is a small donut-like ring located at the top of the spine. It is in close proximity to the brain stem, which is the part of the central nervous system responsible for controlling a number of vital body functions. One of these very important functions is the muscle balance of the spinal column.

When the atlas is subjected to a stress or injury, it can become partly misaligned in relation to the skull and the other vertebrae in the neck.

We call this the Atlas Subluxation Complex Syndrome or the ASC Syndrome. Even a slight structural misalignment of the upper neck will result in a muscular response that shifts the body balance from normal and adds stress to the spinal column.

The term "Atlas Subluxation Complex" (A.S.C.) is a term intended to explain the far-reaching and detrimental effects of the structural misalignment of the upper neck region upon the spinal column. The A.S.C. embraces both the mechanical and neurological effects observed over many years of correlating the production of the atlas Subluxation on bodily distortions.

Neurological imbalance can be caused by an active A.S.C., which can adversely and consistently cause a wide variety of problems. Nervous tissue is of a plastic and elastic nature; therefore, it is subject to disfigurement by mechanical compression and extension exerted upon it by the misalignment factors of the A.S.C.

It is sometimes difficult to believe a problem in the neck would cause a problem in the rest of the spine. All messages going to and from the brain must travel through the upper neck region. Proper spinal alignment of the neck and head is essential for normal communication to take place. We know from years of research and clinical observation, overall health and well being is positively affected through retaining proper spinal balance of the neck and head. The resulting effect from correcting the A.S.C. is expereinced throughtout the entire body and on a variety of levels that include the physical, energetic and even emotional well-being. From back pain to thinking clearly the benefits of this care are very significant and the effort to regain and maintain normal spinal balance is well worth it.

IS YOUR HEAD ON STRAIGHT?

Article by: Glenn E. Cripe, D.C. (Certified N.U.C.C.A. instructor, Newport Beach, California)

Just when you thought you have tried everything, have you checked to see if your head is on straight?

Most people have experienced back pain or spinal-related problems sometime in their life. There are numerous approaches to achieving relief from this often-disabling pain. There are procedures that vary as widely as bed rest to medications, acupuncture, acupressure, and then the extreme: surgery. All of these and other systems have had their degrees of successes and failures.

Perhaps the one thing that can be said for certain is that there is no cure-all, no one hundred percent solution for all back problems. It is after all, a very complicated problem. The spinal column along with various layers of muscles, and the nervous system largely make up the structure that not only allows us to remain up-right under gravity, but also allows us to bend, twist and tilt. In seeking out help, most people will use the more conservative approaches first, like bed rest, and then keep moving toward the more extreme, like surgery, if they have not obtained the relief they need. In this arena of back pain procedures, there is a system that offers still another approach. It's conservative, cost efficient, but, more importantly, extremely precise and painless. This procedure is named N.U.C.C.A. after the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association. The N.U.C.C.A principles were developed in Michigan by Drs. Ralph Gregory and John Grostic in the 1940's. N.U.C.C.A. was formed in 1965 as a national organization recognized by the federal government. N.U.C.C.A. is a group within the chiropractic profession that concentrates specifically on returning the head and neck to normal.

Some conditions that can benefit from chiropractic care begin and can end in the neck. Falls, a whiplash type of accident, or a twist of the neck can all result in the relationship of the head and neck going off centre. By adjusting the head and neck, the entire spine, including the pelvis, can return back toward normal. This must be done before spinal balance can be attained.

The pelvis is the foundation for the spine; hence it supports the spine. As the head shifts off centre, the pelvis must also shift. This is to keep the body as upright as possible. If the head is in its normal position, the pelvis will be directly under it. But if the head and neck misalign, the muscles of the back will automatically tighten to shift the pelvis so it will be as directly under the head as possible. This shifting of the structure of the spine and pelvis can be the cause of many back problems, such as low back spasms, headaches, poor posture, or tingling pain in the extremities etc. Unless the head and neck are returned back to their normal positions, you may never really have a long-term correction with long term results.

Because the pelvis is the supporting structure of the spine, N.U.C.C.A., through precise instrumentation, measures its displacement and uses it as a gauge in determining if the patient is in adjustment or in balance. Three views of very exacting x-rays are taken and analyzed before any type of treatment is rendered. Each person has his or her unique type of misalignment pattern, which must be precisely determined. Once the type and degree of misalignment have been established, the doctor is able to direct a slight and controlled pressure into the neck at a particular spot, which will then bring the head and neck back towards normal. The closer the doctor can restore the head and neck to normal, the more stable and long lasting the adjustment will be. As the body returns to normal, the muscles will pull evenly, relieving muscle spasms. Swelling around the nerves can subside, relieving the pinched nerve feeling. Postural changes can occur along with the removal of stress on the weight-bearing joints (hips, low back).

After the correction has taken place, both the doctor and the patient should see significant results in postural changes. Each case is unique but generally symptoms can begin to alter from as soon as a few hours up to four to six weeks from the adjustment. After all, it usually has taken time to get out of shape. It will also take time for the tissue and nerves to heal.

As an alternative to correcting back problems, N.U.C.C.A. has had wonderful results and research documented over the past 50 years. So when you get to the point where you thought you've tried everything, you may want to find out if your head is on straight. ©

THE SHORT LEG

The expression "short leg" is not well understood in the majority of cases because it suggests that the cause of the shortness of the extremity is inherent within the leg itself. There are many reasons for leg imbalance: bone deformities, pathological causes, traumatic causes and unilateral breakdown of an arch, however, the great majority of instances of leg imbalance are due to spastic contracture of the extensor muscles of the lower spine and pelvic girdle producing a structural imbalance, making the one leg appear slightly shorter.

It is perhaps more appropriate to use the term "contractured leg". This denomination denotes more accurately the neurological-pathological picture as seen so frequently in the chiropractor's practice. The term gives emphasis to the causative factor which is that of a neurological imbalance which manifests itself as an innervational over-load to the extensor muscles causing spastic contracture of these muscles, ending up with distortion of the pelvic girdle and unequal extremities.

When we look at the scientific literature, we see that "Muscular spasticity" is described by Magoun and Rhines as, "an exaggeration of spinal stretch reflexes." To understand this, it is necessary to recognize the function of the two central mechanisms, the central inhibitory and the central facilitatory mechanisms. The former, located in the brain, serves to reduce spinal stretch reflexes. The latter appears to have several sources, some in the cord itself, some in the brain stem, some in the cerebellum, and some in the cerebral cortex. The impulses from any of these facilitory mechanisms serve to augment stretch reflexes. When an interference, caused by disease or injury, cuts off the inhibitory influences, the normal stretch reflex augmented by impulses from any of the uninjured facilitory mechanisms results in the exaggeration of stretch reflexes, known as spasticity."

The reticular formation of the brain stem (medulla) gives rise to descending connections which supply motor outflows in the spinal cord and exert influences upon the cerebral cortex. The higher connections increase spinal motor discharge; the lower decrease motor discharge. Imbalance between the motor connections due to some traumatic or pathological interference is a determinant of spasticity because such imbalance prevents the inhibitory influences from modifying the facilitory influences. The result is an over innervation of the extensor muscles to contract.

The neurological imbalance as described above can be caused by the misalignment factors of the Atlas Subluxation Complex. Spastic contracture along with distortion of the lumbar vertebrae and pelvic girdle will result in disparity of the lower extremities. This can be removed by correction of the misalignment factors of the A.S.C.

The adverse influences of the A.S.C. upon the continuous nervous structure of the cervical spinal cord, brain stem and hind brain are clearly evident in its far-reaching effects upon the lower spinal column. Substantiation has been based upon mathematical precision, and upon clinical research that has studied many thousands of cases.

Thus, the ASC is often a definite causative factor, the quantitative analysis of which specifically relates to the contractured leg. The maximum correction of the ASC problem is vitally essential to the alleviation of the neurological imbalance, which causes the spastic contracture, body distortion, center of gravity displacement and resultantly unequal extremities.

The NUCCA procedure has been shown to consistently correct the ASC and restore normal body balance with a normal center of gravity.

THE VALUE OF X-RAYS

The x-ray series is an important step in the correction of the Atlas Subluxation Complex. The first set of x-rays is taken prior to the adjustment. These pre-films total 5 exposures. The analysis of these x-rays provides the precise misalignment factors unique to each individual and establishes the vectors that are needed for the adjustment correction. Following the initial adjustment, two post films are taken. These two films determine that the proper alignment of the atlas and subsequent neck vertebrae has been obtained.

Because of the precise requirements of these x-rays both in patient positioning and technical calibration, x-rays taken elsewhere, although of interest to the doctor, do not provide the necessary information for the mathematical evaluation of the films needed for the NUCCA spinal correction.

MAINTENANCE OF A SPINAL ADJUSTMENT

We are dedicated to help you with your health care program and treatments to regain and maintain your health and well being. However, we can only help those who desire assistance and accept the responsibility to "take charge" of their health care. This means taking action by following the recommendations to bring about the healing response in conjunction with the appropriate care we provide.

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We are aware of the fact that you are not born with the education and information to properly care for your body, therefore, please do not hesitate to ask questions. The more you know about how to care for yourself, the more effective your care is.

We ask that initially no one else treat your spinal column. This is in order that we may best monitor your condition. Surgery requiring a general anesthetic, a serious injury or trauma, certain spinal treatments, or a motor vehicle accident can cause your pattern to change. Any of these situations may require a new series of x-rays to determine any changes that have occurred. This is done before any further adjustment could be preformed. In monitoring your condition, should it be necessary, we will refer you for additional care to other health care professionals.

There are short and long term suggestions for maintaining your spinal health following an adjustment.

Short Term
The Initial Healing Cycle (6 weeks)

1. Avoid strenuous activities and sports; walking is recommended.

2. Rest assists the body in its recuperation be sure to arrange your schedule to include rest.

3. No massage should be performed on your neck/shoulders for a period of 7 days.

4. Avoid hyperextension or flexion of the neck, or any jarring situations which cause the head to move quickly in any direction.

5. Feel free to use your head through its normal range of motion; just don't use it!

Long Term

The body continues to restore and restructure itself subtly for, sometime, up to 3 years following the initial corrective care. It is of the utmost importance that you retain the correction through regular chiropractic check-ups. We strongly suggest that you adhere to the prescribed schedule of follow-up visits. Symptoms are not always a sign of a misalignment, but also can be a sign of healing. The absence of symptoms does not always indicate that the body is in alignment.

1. When washing hair at the hair salon - support neck with a towel, or sit face forward into the sink.

2. When visiting a dentist - ensure your neck is supported (ie: towel) and bring head forward when possible.

3. Sleeping - your pillow should support the head and neck in its natural position. DO NOT SLEEP ON YOUR STOMACH, position yourself on your back or your side with legs flexed. Use an extra pillow to support your legs.

4. Don't use the armrest of the couch as a headrest while watching T.V. or reading.

5. Don't read in bed nor fall asleep in a sitting position (plane or auto). Where the head and neck are not well supported.

6. Always bend at the knees when picking anything up. This will minimize back strain. When lifting, keep your back straight, hold the object close to you, and let your legs bear the strain.

7. For a shoulder-check, or backing up your car, turn your shoulders as well as your neck to decrease the strain.

8. Cross your legs at the ankles. Crossing at the knees could aggravate an existing back condition and interfere with circulation.

9. Don't use your shoulders and head to support a phone.

10. Your mattress should be firm but not hard.

11. Should you find yourself remaining in the same position for an extended period of time - i.e.: driving, reading, desk-work - it is advisable to allow yourself at least 30 seconds of conscious relaxation periodically.

12. Try to set aside time each day for complete mental and physical relaxation.

13. When rising from a lying position, turn on your side and use your arm to assist yourself into a sitting position. Swing your legs forward as the body rises.

14. Do not use your head as a lever.

15. Watch your posture - Stand tall, sit tall, sleep tall, think tall.

It is recommended that you see your family physician annually for a complete physical examination. Preventative screening procedures scheduled by your family physician are very important to your over-all well being. Examination of the musculo-skeletal system may not detect other conditions.

"Man's main concern is not to gain pleasure or to avoid pain but rather to see a meaning in his life. That is why man is even ready to suffer, on the condition, to be sure, that his suffering has a meaning." -Victor Frankl

Be Alert to Possible Changes

After an adjustment, you might experience a variety of changes within your body. These changes are due to modification of the nerve supply and the normal healing response of the various tissues.

The diversity in the type of changes is due to the different nerves affected in each individual case. There are many nerves in the spinal cord; each governing an intricate part of the whole body. However, the doctor does not adjust because of the symptoms but bases the adjustment on different objective measurements and checks that determine neurological integrity that assures a correction has been made.

Symptoms can also be a positive sign that healing is taking place. In order to heal, the body must go through different cycles of repair, which very often express themselves in some of the following ways:

1. The primary symptoms disappear.

2. The one leg might feel longer.

3. Dizziness or light-headedness, possible headaches may occur.

4. Cold-like symptoms (runny nose).

5. Different muscle stiffness in other areas of the body.

6. Pain in the area of an old injury.

7. Tingling sensations.

8. Digestive changes (including mild diarrhea or constipation).

You do not need to experience these symptoms to experience healing. However, if they do occur, do not be concerned, as they are commonly experienced as the body heals.

As the nerves heal, these and many more positive changes could show up in your body. Don't be concerned but please let us know so we are able to monitor your case carefully. Remember it takes time (sometimes months or years) for nerves and other tissues to expand to their normal size and heal completely.

Healing is an individual response, dependent on external and internal factors. During the initial healing cycle, a weekly check is recommended. If the adjustment is stable, future checks are required at progressively longer intervals. Once you have reached the level of care which requires maintenance visits, please be sure that your check-ups are no more than 6 months apart.

Our lives can be very stressful. This stress occurs on many levels; physical, emotional, chemical and mental, which can cause the Subluxation to reoccur. For this reason you can prevent or slow the process of deterioration and degeneration by maintaining good balance of the spine and nervous system. Our true nature is to heal and be well. This can be accomplished through preventive maintenance care. That is a positive step for your quality of life.

The Healing Team

Our mind and body are a natural team. Our body does it's best to carry out the suggestions of our mind. Medical research uses sugar-pill placebos to demonstrate again and again that it is sometimes our belief in a pill, or treatment, which makes it effective. How can we consciously put this powerful tool of suggestion to work for our spinal health and healing?

The Mind Body Connection

Mind and body talk to each other through two main channels of communication: the nervous system and the endocrine system, which serves as a team of hormonal messengers. The information exchanged through these channels directs, coordinates and balances the functions of all our cells, tissues and systems. When stress or tension interfere with these channels, the messages either don't get through, or are distorted. Our health pays the price for this interference. Fortunately, there are things we can do to support unimpaired mind-body communication.

Stress Reduction and Biofeedback

Stress is the biggest health bandit of all. Biofeedback is technology's stress sheriff. Through the use of biofeedback instruments which signal us when our body is reacting to stress, we can learn what our automatic bodily responses to stress feel like, and what it feels like to control those responses with relaxation and visualization techniques. After a while we no longer need the instrument to signal us, but can read the body's more subtle signals. When we know its signal, our own body is the finest biofeedback system of all.

Visualization and Imagery

Visualization - seeing, feeling, sensing or describing a picture with the mind's eye - is a creative way to team up the mind and the body. Mental images, upon which all thought is founded, have a definite effect on the body's electrical field. There are pathways between the part of the brain where our pictures are stored and the automatic, or involuntary, nervous system. This means that a picture in the mind's eye can have an impact on every cell and function in our body.

The Relaxation Response

A complete mind-body relaxation every day can break the stress circuit and contribute to spinal health. Systematically tensing and releasing your muscles compensates for the stress arousal state. This enables the body to rest and recharge.

1. Lie down on a comfortable surface.

2. Breathe deeply, slowly, and fully with your belly.

3. Contract the muscle of your feet. Hold. Release.

4. Then do the same thing with your legs, your hips, your belly - and the rest of your body, all the way to the top of your head.

5. When you have squeezed and released every segment of your body squeeze all your muscles at once as you exhale. Hold. Release.

6. Let your whole body sigh. Relax and rest.

Attitude

Remember that none of this teamwork will do any good if you are secretly betting against your own team. Talk health to yourself. You're the coach.

Visualizing a Healthy Spine

Sit or lie in a comfortable, quiet place. Breathe deeply and slowly in and out of your belly. Let your whole body sigh out any tension. With your eyes closed, picture all the muscles and joints of your spinal column exactly how you would like them to be: free of pain, relaxed, strong, flexible or whatever you wish. Then picture yourself doing something. Imagine your body moving exactly as you want it to move and feel. See yourself as graceful, powerful and lithe. Keep this "feeling picture" in your mind's eye, where you can look at it and frequently visualize the feeling in your body as you exhale. Hold. Release.

Patient Responsibility

The Gravity Stress Analyzer (GSA) measures the amount of postural imbalance due to muscle contraction caused by a C-1 Subluxation. This postural check provides many benefits for you by:

1. Measuring the effect of the C-1 adjustments on the spine.

2. Measuring the amount of spinal column distortion from the vertical axis.

3. Checking the accuracy of the leg length check.

4. Reducing the need for pelvic x-rays (it may be required in the future, but initially this helps reduce radiation).

5. Providing follow up comparisons of your original complaints.

The most indicative sign of a C-1 Subluxation is the short leg. Symptoms, or lack of symptoms, do not determine the presence of a C-1 Subluxation and spinal imbalance.

On subsequent visits, the alignment is verified using a leg length check along with hip level measurements.

Healing is an ongoing process. Getting well takes time just as it requires time to get sick. The need is for the patient to hold the correction - to stay in adjustment - until complete healing takes place. All healing is self-healing (i.e.: repair of a broken bone). Self-healing is promoted by the adjustment and correction of the ASC Syndrome. Such things as the length of time the misalignment-Subluxation has existed, the care you take after the correction by avoiding stress factors, the possibility of stretched tendons and damaged ligaments, and lack of your cooperation hinder recovery. If you ask the doctor to assume responsibility for your case you should do that which is reasonably requested by the doctor. Furthermore, you should report 'all injuries' to the doctor while under his care because even a seemingly minor injury can cause neurological problems, which can retard recovery or even prevent healing.

PATIENT RESPONSIBILITY

Here are some helpful hints for maintaining optimal health:

1. Visit the chiropractor regularly to ensure proper spinal alignment and postural balance.

2. Have a physical examination every year with your family physician.

3. Exercise is beneficial to obtaining and maintaining optimal spinal health and is strongly encouraged at the appropriate time.

4. Be aware of any major life changes (both positive and negative) you are experiencing - as this can be a major source of stress.

5. Take responsibility for your feelings and take action to understand them. Emotional stress can be very harmful and interfere with the physical well being.

6. Have a positive and optimistic outlook on life. A positive attitude and lifestyle are key elements in stress management, and attaining excellent health. Since stress is both an emotional and physical reaction to change, the better you feel in the body and mind, the better you will be able to deal with the changes in your life. Your mind and body are connected. When your mind is healthy, your body can better resist illness and maintain wellness and proper structural alignment. We encourage the process of self-discovery through educational experiences that help increase your awareness and understanding of your life patterns.

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit"
-Henry David Thoreau

THE PROCESS OF HEALING

Generally, when we think about managing our health, images of exercise, eating right, taking vitamins and health check-ups come to mind. There is, however, another ingredient that should be considered in managing health. It determines how health is created, how it might have changed and what it will be like in the future. The ingredient is time. The degree to which you will be truly effective in managing your health is directly related to understanding the relationship of cellular change to time.

The present level of health that we have today, is the net effect of all the events from our past. We start from the time we were first conceived, with our optimal genetic potential. We then subtract all negative physical, chemical, and emotional stresses or traumas and then add the resulting degenerative or adaptive changes to create our present health condition. See diagram.

A current myth in our society is that these degenerative changes are the effects of just getting older. Most of what people experience, as aging is early stress or trauma-related changes. A form of adaptation to change.

An example of this is most disc degeneration or arthritis that occurs in the spine, hips, and knee joints are bone changes. As the joints adapt to an unbalanced spinal position, changes are required in the joints to adapt to the different imbalanced stresses placed on the joint. This helps to maintain a sense of balance and stability. The good news is that the negative stresses you have experienced have also been somewhat diminished by the positive actions you have taken to help your health up to this point.

Your current level of health is not a mystery. Most of the aches and pains that you experience now, started years before you even suspected that a health problem was developing. This is because pain, like a warning light in a car, only notifies you when a problem is becoming serious.

Understanding the influences of the past events that have resulted in your present level of health is interesting, but, what about your future health?

When we are in pain, we do not often think positively about the future. We are too concerned with the present, and want to be out of pain now. Although we might wish to be immediately free from our current condition, the truth is this can only happen in our future. This doesn't necessarily mean the distant future, butpain relief and a return to normal function-"true health"-requires time. This is related to a process known as "healing".

The process of healing is really a return to wholeness, or to put it another way, a return to balance and stability. Just how each of us gets there will depend on a number of factors.

It is important to remember there is a difference between "healing" and "feeling better" (symptomatic relief). "How you feel" is not always a true representation of your health.

The process of healing is important to understand, as there are some universal principles that apply to each and every one of us. Our understanding of these healing principles will help to dispel fear and frustration in our recovery process.

All healing is self-healing. We all have the potential and capacity to heal. We must, however, find a way to activate the self-healing mechanism within ourselves. Time is an important consideration when we are in the process of changing. As we talked about, time is an important ingredient to self-healing. Pain relief alone may be the first step of our regaining normal function, but it is generally not enough to maintain long term recovery. Too often, patients mistake the lack of pain or symptoms to indicate good health, but good health is not just the absence of pain. It's also having proper function and stability.

We all have to begin our healing process somewhere. Ensuring our physical body is structurally balanced is an important place to start. A healthy physical body has a very positive influence on our overall health, well being and vitality. Proper spinal alignment, function, stability, and flexibility are key to ensuring optimal health. This is because the spine is key and has a close relationship to the nervous system that is responsible for controlling and coordinating all body functions.

In the process of recovery or healing, it will take time to restore balance and for the cellular changes to take place. This applies to all healing whether it is physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual. In the initial phase of healing we can help by restoring the body balance that often helps to break the pain cycles and recurring patterns. Helping to ensure this optimal balance is well maintained helps to ensure the healing cycle continues to completion.

Stopping anywhere short of the complete healing cycle will minimize the chance of full recovery. To use a metaphor: Stopping short is worse than getting off a train before it reaches its destination. It's actually like getting on the opposite track, back to where you began. In this case, back refers to the degenerative condition that started your suffering.

There is a need to become more aware of how we are currently living our lives and what we can do to choose healthier lifestyle practices. Healing involves more than just being adjusted or re-balanced. It requires your active participation to develop awareness and change unhealthy patters and habits.

The healing cycle occurs through a series of phases that occur over a period of time. It is during these phases that your relationship to time and your patience can directly affect the quality of your health and the continuation of the healing process. ©

Phases of Care
1. Re-balancing the Spine
The most stable position for the body is one of balance. Whenever we lose this balance in relationship to gravity, the body compensates and tries to create stability the best way it can. The first response is muscle tension to add stability to an unstable spine. Because of the close relationship to the nervous system, spinal balance and stability is important to maintaining good health and energy.

Re-balancing the spine is the first step to reduce the structural stress that exists in the body. This is achieved by using the NUCCA chiropractic spinal correction techniques and procedures to relieve any structural stress that places mechanical pressure on the nervous system.

2. Stabilization of the Spine
Once the spine is re-balanced, the initial six to eight weeks of healing is needed to allow the body to stabilize and get used to the new balanced position. This time period enables the initial recovery and improved function of the soft tissue (which includes muscles, tendons, ligaments and cartilage) as well as structural remodeling to take place. The body gets used to the new balance and begins to re-pattern itself in this new alignment with improved stability.

This recovery process can be enhanced with the use of therapeutic massage and craniosacral therapy. This works to enhance soft tissue function by reducing tissue tension and restriction that has developed as the body had to compensate for being out of balance with gravity. These procedures help to reduce pain and stress, increase circulation, reduce tension and improve muscle function. These all helps to prepare the body for the next phase of healing.

3. Flexibility
Once the spine is balanced and has better stability, the next task is to improve range of motion and movement of the spine. This improved flexibility also assists in providing greater stability and function of the spine. To assist in this process, recommendations for stretching or yoga like exercises will be recommended along with additional therapeutic massage or craniosacral therapy. This helps to support the tissue changes with the improved balance and stability.

Daily stretching may be one of the most important prevention and health maintenance tools available for us. Each day we do a number of things that add stress and tension to our body and often we do very few things to release that tension. That is where physically stretching and releasing the tension through breathing and relaxation has consistently shown to benefit our health and overall well being.

4. Strengthening
This phase of care will vary for each person. With improved balance, and flexibility there is greater muscle function, which adds to the stability, and function of the spine. To further assist in the strengthening of the spinal column, a cross training approach will improve core stability and reduce repetitive strain types of stress on the body. Once again, a balance is needed in the approach to improve strength. A private trainer or specific rehabilitative program may be helpful as this helps to ensure proper technique and a balanced program is implemented.

5. Maintenance
Many people consider a program of preventive health care service to be in their best interest. This may consist of periodic examinations for the purpose of determining whether they would require a chiropractic adjustment for the elimination of spinal imbalance, regardless of whether there has been any complaints or symptoms. In this sense, maintenance care is preventive care. The examination or analysis may or may not reveal the need for chiropractic adjustments. If body imbalance exists, an adjustment given under such circumstances would be preventive in nature and is often present without the patient's awareness of any adverse symptoms or functional problems.

6. Self Study
Throughout our lives, challenges and stresses arise that cause us to evaluate and re-evaluate our current health. It becomes helpful to develop greater awareness of our health habits, as our health is ultimately our individual responsibility. It is always helpful to keep an open mind to learning new approaches. Sometimes it is simply being reminded of what we know, but may not be actively doing.

In reality, no one can teach us anything unless we are willing to learn. We offer a number of self-study programs that help to develop awareness of how we are living our lives and help provide some tools to assist in healthy change. As we stated previously, all healing is self-healing. At our clinic, we are committed to helping in this process by providing excellent spinal correction, maintenance care, soft tissue therapy and rehabilitation. Along with this care and in partnership with C-1 Film® Productions Corp. we offer scientifically proven educational support through live workshops, audio, video, and television programs.

We invite you to further improve the quality of your health and your life. We understand and respect your need to go at your own pace. We will make the recommendations that we feel will provide you with the most benefit. You must have the commitment and courage to stay the course through the process of healing. We fully appreciate the significant challenge this can present and will do what we can to help support you in this process. We have an extensive network of other health practitioners that can also assist you and when necessary will recommend those people we feel can best help you at the appropriate time.

As we mentioned before, to improve on your health, you need a place to start. The structural, spinal, nervous system balance and improved function is an extremely effective place to start. This approach has been extremely successful and thousands of people have benefited from it. "Rome was not built in a day" and although the period of time required achieving relief from pain may be short; a longer period is required to reach optimal health. The actions that you take in the time ahead can be more important in determining your health than your past or present. In regard to regaining and maintaining your full health and vitality, being patient is the key. ©

"I do not know what I may appear to the world:
but to myself I seem to have been only like
a boy playing on the seashore,
and diverting myself in now and then
finding a smoother pebble
or a prettier shell then ordinary, whilst the great
ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me"
-Sir Isaac Newton

STAGES OF CARE

Chiropractic acute care, supportive care and maintenance care should be defined in separate categories, although the primary purpose of each being the preservation of the optimal status of the patient's spinal health.

Acute Care: 6-8 weeks
In the initial phase following a trauma or injury, care is provided to restore the integrity and balance of the spinal column. The primary purpose is the alleviation of irritation leading to pain and discomfort. In the acute phase of care, visits may be more frequent in order to restore and maintain the structural balance and integrity of the spine. In doing so, this creates the environment of balance most optimal for healing and recovery. The length of time of acute care varies dependent on many factors, some of which are intensity and severity of the injury or trauma, the existing of prior injuries or traumas, patient compliance with recommendations, past history of other conditions or diseases and consistency of care. These are some conditions affecting the patient's initial responses and subsequent responses to care. Following acute care, supportive care is provided.

Supportive Care: 6-8 months
Once a patient has received relief from an injury or chronic illness, the subsequent challenge is to prevent the recurrence of symptoms and instability of the spine. This may require a program of supportive care based upon the doctor's analysis of the patient and their judgement as to follow-up examinations and continuing care. Adjustment may be required to maintain integrity and stability of the spine. The object of such supportive care is to prevent recurrence or reactivation of the condition and thus to keep the patient productive in his/her occupation or activity.

Maintenance Care: as needed
Many employers, patients and chiropractors consider a program of preventive health care service to be in the best interests of the patient or employee. This may consist of periodic examinations of the patient for the purpose of determining whether the patient will be benefited by chiropractic adjustments for the elimination of spinal imbalance, regardless whether there has been any complaints of symptoms. In this sense, maintenance care is preventive care. The examination or analysis may or may not reveal the need for chiropractic adjustments. Adjustments given under such circumstances would be preventive and without an awareness, on the part of the patient, of adverse symptoms.

For clarification of the above, it should be understood that chiropractic care deals primarily with the integrity of the spinal column, its immediate articulations and their relationship with the nervous system. It is that very spinal integrity, functional in nature, which can be weakened, either temporarily or permanently through trauma, degenerative disease, lack of exercise, chronic misuse or other life events which may require periodic care. It is truly in the best interest of the patient not to allow a functionally weakened area of the spine to progress to a symptomatic level if such can be prevented through examination and appropriate care if needed.

RESTORING THE BALANCE OF HEALTH

We're all subject to physical and emotional wear, tear, and aging. This causes a certain amount of stress and injury to our spinal complex. The spinal complex serves as the core for our body's process of health.

You could say that chiropractors treat the condition of being human. By helping restore and maintain proper alignment and function to our spinal complex, they treat and prevent the causes, not merely the symptoms, of our discomfort.

Partners with Our Bodies

It may be a headache, stiff neck or sciatic pain that first brings us to the chiropractor's office. Once we're there, something more than our original symptom gets treated. The chiropractor knows the symptom is often the signpost to another condition, which needs attention.

This holistic approach helps us to determine what our body needs. After that, we can work in partnership with it to re-establish homeostasis - dynamic balance of structure and function which forms the basis of good health.

Many Conditions Treated

Many people think chiropractors treat only musculoskeletal (muscles and bones) problems. But that's not the whole story.

It's true that, for conditions such as backache, sciatica and whiplash, chiropractic is a primary treatment. Yet other conditions which involve the organs, glands and tissues of the body are also affected by spinal nerve interference.

The musculoskeletal system is an avenue of treatment to the entire body. Chiropractors can help a variety of problems:

-Pain of the back, neck, jaw, shoulder, arm, hip and leg
-Numbness
-Sensory impairments
-Accident and sports injuries
-Headaches
-Strains, sprains and spasms
-Joint problems
-Congenital and structural abnormalities
-Stress and immune related disorders

Even certain kinds of emotional and psychological imbalances have been shown to benefit from chiropractic treatment.

Who Can Benefit?

Everyone can benefit from chiropractic care. Its' aim is not only to restore health, but also to maintain it. Just as we make a regular visit to our dentist for the health of our teeth and gums, we would be wise to make a regular visit to our chiropractor for the health of our spinal complex.

Babies and children, with their frequent jolts and tumbles, are often most in need of minor spinal corrections to prevent later more serious consequences of their falls. The elderly, with their more delicate bones and musculature, are more vulnerable to musculoskeletal shifts and imbalances.

The Increasing Scope of Chiropractic Care

The Doctor of Chiropractic gives special attention to the relationship between our body's structure and the way its systems and tissues function. We understand that the mind has a strong influence on the body. As the environmental and personal stresses of life increase and the challenge to our mind-body health team intensifies, this relationship becomes even more important.

Chiropractic care offers other advantages: teamwork with other health professionals, a multi- disciplinary approach to treatment, patient education, and an emphasis on prevention. These are among the reasons why chiropractic care is rapidly increasing in scope and popularity.

"If a child smiles, if an adult smiles, that is very important. If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but also everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work." -Thich Nhat Hanh

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT INFORMATION

What can happen to your neck

Prior to a spinal injury or trauma, the 10-12-lb. head is evenly centered over the neck. After an injury, the head shifts away from the centre. To Compensate, the neck shifts from its intended position putting undue stress on muscles, ligaments and the central nervous system.

To compensate for this change of alignment and to keep the body in balance, the entire spinal column begins to shift. An injury to the head and neck can cause a wide variety of problems that influence the whole spine, including low back pain and leg pain.

A specific correction to the upper cervical region can restore balance to the entire spinal column and pelvis. This provides the healing and recovery through improved spinal and neurological balance. Following an accident, even if you feel well, it is important to be measured for proper spinal balance.

Section B Insurance coverage
All basic automobile insurance coverage has section B coverage. This entitles all passengers of the vehicle involved in an accident, including the driver and owner of the vehicle - regardless of who is at fault in the accident to section B. Section B is not designed to fully cover all expenses of treatment for accident victims. Under section B chiropractic treatment is limited to $500.00 per person. See 'Summary of Section B Benefits' - courtesy of Rodin Law Firm

To claim section B, you need to contact your insurance company as soon as possible after a motor vehicle accident. Once you have talked with your insurance we can help you submit your chiropractic claim.

Your Appointment
When you call for an appointment please let us know that you have been in a motor vehicle accident so that we can allow sufficient time to properly assess your body balance and review your accident.

When you come in for your appointment we will ask you to fill out three forms. An update form, to update your symptoms and any other changes to your address etc. The next form will be for your motor vehicle accident, information on where and when the accident occurred and if you had any injuries, had to see any other doctors, etc. This gives us the detailed information in case you require any kind of legal reports or insurance reports for your accident. The third form is a pain questionnaire to determine how your problem has impacted your life and your ability to function. Please note these forms can also be downloaded on this website. Just go to Patient Forms and download the appropriate forms.

We may need to take new X-rays if your alignment pattern has changed. If so, we will book another appointment, as soon as possible, for you to be taken care of. A second set of post X-rays will follow the adjustment so that we can make sure you are in proper alignment and your problem has been fully corrected.

The sooner you are assessed and treated after an accident, the better recovery you will likely experience. Therefore, please contact us as soon as possible to be evaluated and properly corrected.

SEATBELTS

Most drivers buckle them up as a matter of habit, some drivers still resist using seat belts and risk paying an even stiffer price – the loss of their lives – or, if they survive a crash, serious damage to their spinal columns.

They Make A Difference
If you remain unconvinced that seat belts could mean the difference between life and death, or between spinal health and dysfunction, take a moment to consider the following facts.

1 People who are thrown from cars are 25 times more likely to be killed or severely injured than if they had been held se-curely in their seats.

2 In the unlikely event that your car catches fire or is submerged, seat belts can keep you from being knocked un-conscious and will greatly improve your chances of escape.

3 You don’t have to go far or fast to get killed in a car. The majority of all highway crashes occur within 25 miles of home. Eighty percent of all serious in-juries and fatalities occur in cars going 60Km per hour or less.

4 You may be a good driver, yet there are situations beyond your control, such as weather and road conditions, that can af-fect your safety. Drive defensively, but use your seat belt.

5 Newer seat belt design allows for total freedom of motion while driving. The latching device that secures the belt only goes into effect when the car jolts abruptly, as in an accident.

Safe and Secure
Seat belts can make a life and death difference if you or your loved ones are involved in an automobile accident. Always use your seat belt. The spinal column you save may be your own.

NUTRITION

Article by Eli Svoboda
Acid and Alkaline balance

When discussing acid and alkaline balance in the body, it can be a tricky concept to explain. Not to be confused with simply acid and alkaline foods-such as the acidity of an orange in your mouth or the alkalinity of milk, when we are speaking of the acid and alkaline balance in a nutritional sense, it is in regards to acid forming and alkaline forming foods.

Through homeostatic mechanisms, the many different vital fluids in our body maintain a certain pH level. The most crucial is the blood plasma. Blood must maintain a pH in-between 7.35 and 7.45, this is slightly alkaline. pH ratios are measured on a scale. 1-7pH is considered acid and 7pH and over is considered alkaline, this means when the numbers go down, the acidity goes up. Water is neutral at seven.

How are different foods acid and alkaline forming? Things that keep the blood alkaline are foods that are rich in alkalizing minerals. These are buffering minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron. So therefore, mineral rich foods will alkalize the blood. This includes most fruits and vegetables, most beans and legumes and sea vegetables (dulse, kelp, hiziki, nori).

Without getting into heavy chemistry, there are two main ways certain foods are acidic. The first way concerns most forms of protein and fat which are considered acidic, especially the more concentrated forms in animal products. This includes beef, pork, chicken, fish and eggs. Whole grains and cereals are also acidic, such as brown rice, corn and wheat products. These have an acidifying effect on your bodily fluids due to the way they are processed in your system, after they are broken down in your kidneys, proteins and fats both leave an acidic residue. When it is metabolized, alcohol is also highly acidifying. This is natural and only becomes unhealthy if there is an excess of these acids.

The second way is less natural and has only been a result of the past 100 years since refined (white) sugar and flour have become staple food items in our culture. White sugar and flour are processed from sugar cane and whole wheat. Due to the refining process that robs these whole foods of their original nutrients that are necessary for their metabolism in your body they are considered 'empty foods'. When refined and processed foods are consumed in high amounts, your body balance will move towards acidic due to the depleting effects these substances have on the mineral levels in your body.

Buffers are the middle ground, which can produce either effect. These are dairy foods and soybean products. They tend to balance on the scale due to their high protein ratio, which makes them more acid forming, yet alkalizing because of their high mineral content.

So what does this mean in terms of balance? Acid and alkaline forming foods are both necessary in the chemistry of the body, but it's the ratio between the two that makes a difference to your state of health. There are many different schools of thought regarding the exact ratio, but the overall consensus is that we should always be leaning more towards an alkaline state, to facilitate the alkaline pH level of the blood. What happens if it shifts either way? In a serious state over alkaline can result in hyperventilation and extended vomiting. This is very uncommon, due to the fact our cultural diet usually causes an over acidic state. An extreme case of over acidity results in diabetic coma and death. But there are many warning signs before this point.

Macrobiotic, a Japanese dietary health system, states that an over acidic state is the root of all disease. Over acidity weakens the immune system, it promotes a state of inflammation of tissue which leads to chronic pain such as headaches, joint pain and intestinal cramping. Acidity effects our absorption of nutrients, primarily minerals, which then in turn determines our energy levels and body efficiency, this can create fatigue, mal absorption of food and increased stress levels. If an acidic condition persists, the fluid surrounding the cells can become so inhospitable that cells will begin to die, this can be the beginning of cancer.

So it is clear how keeping this balance is crucial to your spinal balance and overall health. In order to help the maintenance of healthy spinal tissue and keep yourself pain free and strong, be mindful of the ratio you are eating of either food. Waking up in the morning with a sour taste in your mouth is a sign of over acidity. It's interesting that we automatically go for orange juice, which has an alkalizing effect on the system. So how do you begin to shift your ratios? Try cutting down on alcohol, sugar products and meat- especially beef and pork. This can seem challenging, but you'll notice how good you feel even after a few small changes. Remember that acidic foods aren't bad, we just tend to eat to many of them so a healthy balance must be sought. Try and integrate more vegetables and fruits into your diet. Eating whole grains and beans can be less acidic then meat when getting your daily protein. And what's this about sea vegetables? The recent craze of 'green drinks' in the health food community is has got the right idea. Seaweed such as kelp, hiziki and dulse have incredible mineralizing properties and can bring energy and balance to an over acidic system. Deep breathing helps distribute oxygen and nutrients throughout your system, this promotes an alkaline state. You can achieve this through exercise or breathing techniques. If you want to check what your balance is, most vitamin stores will carry litmus paper, which will indicate the acid/alkaline levels of your body. For more in depth information regarding this subject, check your local bookstores or alternative health references.

Using mindfulness and care with your diet can make a significant difference in your spinal health and overall wellbeing, we encourage you to take action and exercise the power you have to heal your body.