Total Family Chiropractic

First Visit To The Office

The Marvelous Brain

Our understanding of the brain and how it functions is increasing exponentially. In the last 10 years with the advent of functional MRI, we have discovered more about brain function than all previous understanding combined. This new information helps us to refine and improve our application of chiropractic. What have we learned and does the very premise of the chiropractic theory hold up? In a one word the answer is yes.

Our brain is one of the most complex and dynamic structures on the planet. It is composed of groups of neuron pools [nuclei] which interact together to form local and global integrated states that allows it to respond to stimulus. The founding principle of chiropractic is based on this concept. How did they understand this current concept 115 years ago without all the current technology we have? Chiropractic theory was developed through observation, and a functional approach to neuroanatomy of that time. They then hypothesized the basic theory that the nervous system is a sensory driven system that can affect every aspect of the body and interference to the flow of stimulus to the brain and its corresponding response can lead to a dis-ease of the body. Although simplistic in its beginning, it described a natural law which still is the foundation of chiropractic today in its many forms. Although the founders of chiropractic did not have all the details they discovered and developed one of the simplest and most effective treatments to improve the health of millions.

What are some new insights into our brain that help us understand how to stay healthy? First, we understand that our brain is a receptor base system,. What does this mean? It tells us that for our brains to be healthy they need to be active. They also need food and oxygen. We will leave the nutrition until a later time. So what is an active brain? Simple put one that is stimulated. Many of us many enjoy the crossword puzzle or other games that keep our minds sharp but that is only part of the picture. The biggest stimulation to our brains actually comes from our movement in the gravitational field. The muscular skeletal system of the body along with the vestibular system [balance] dumps tremendous amounts of input into our brains and activates many reflexogenic systems that allow us move around. All these signals to the brain and the neuromodulation that takes place keep the brain healthy. Yes, we all need a moderate amount of consistent exercise to stay mentally healthy along with our puzzles.

Where does the chiropractic adjustment come in? The adjustment is correcting a motion unit [two adjacent vertebras’] that is not functioning correctly. When there is a dysfunction of the spine the input to the brain becomes affected hence the out put is changed. This will present as symptoms, as time progress, from back pain to headaches or even digestive changes to name a few. So what we can take away from this is in order to have a healthy brain; the brain needs good input from the spine. Chiropractic fills that roll ensuring proper function of the spine by correcting the subluxation [motion dysfunction and inflammation] thus increasing the function and well being of our brain.

Get The Big Idea

BJ Palmer said “get the big idea and all else will follow”.  We are living in a time of incredible technological advancement. Every other day it seems we are hearing about some new understanding or discovery in all areas of human endeavor. We are living in an instant gratification culture, which seems to be accelerating monthly. It is hard  not to find your self being swept away in expecting everything you dream of or goals you set to become reality now. When these thing do not manifest them selves it creates an underlining discontent. No where is this more prevalent as in our young ones. Living in the information age, are not only fueling these phenomena, but also creating a thick layer of data smog. Having more information, which is being shoved at us in astronomical rate, does not enhance our understanding of “process”, a fundamental component of innate expression.

“Process” is one of those concepts that we can easily forget. Everything we encounter involves some process, and by definition there is a time element. Time is a concept that seams elusive in that we all have the same amount, which is too much for some and not enough for most. When we speak of time as it relates to an innate process, it can be variable, as we all know. The challenge we face is not to lose faith in the “process” when we become impatient with how long it takes. Chiropractic and its fundamental principles have to be one of the most unique and personal ways to observe this lesson.

Our lives are a process, a constant unraveling of an innate process within. Although we may fight it at times or deny the truth that “innate” constantly strives to express we must have faith in the process. We can all be reminded to be patient.

The Simplicity of Prevention

Everybody knows the health care system is in crisis. But while proponents on both sides of the political aisle battle onward, big medicine struggles to keep its piece of the pie, and health care costs continue to climb out of control. Insurance premiums have begun to rise by 30% beginning in September 09, due to the shrinking enrollment pool (Oregonian 8/30/09). Tired as we may be of listening to all the arguments, this is one problem that will not go away. Whatever the shape reform takes, if it does not change the fundamentals and only repackages the old with a new shiny cover, it will not take long before the system will show itself to be failing again.

When it comes to health care reform, the real question is this: What fundamental principle needs to be changed?

In order to create a real solution, what needs to be addressed, is the fundamental approach of the American health care complex and its continual, tunnel-vision focus on disease screening and management. Ever since the beginning of organized medicine back in the early 1900’s, the focus has remained on diagnosing and treating disease. Institutions grew in the study of pathology. Yes, this has been part of a noble call to understand the processes of whatever disease they were studying and find the magic bullet for each and every illness. Yes, there have been successes large and small along the way—the biggest of which was probably penicillin, saving hundreds of thousands of lives from the ravages of infection. However, the discovery and success of penicillin had a side effect; it launched one of the biggest and most powerful industries of our time, the pharmaceutical industry. With the promises of disease eradication and the end of human suffering, the pharmaceutical industry has slowly and insidiously come to influence every aspect of our lives. This industry has reaped huge profits, while the health of the average American is not even ranked in the G20 countries, despite Americans spending more on health care than any of those countries except for Morocco.

Try the simple approach first

Many times our patients will present to us a multitude of seemingly complex symptoms. Patients with neck pain, many times, will have pain in their arms or hands, headaches, sinus problems, dizziness, just to list a few.  Patients with mid back pain, many times, will have digestive problems, such as acid reflux, pain with deep breathing, etc.

The Gonstead system of chiropractic focuses on first trying to normalize the function of two adjacent vertebras through a specific adjustment based on the physical finding of localized pitting edema, decreased intersegmental ROM, heat changes in the involved dermatome, and point tenderness.  Then we correlate these findings to the weight bearing X-rays.  This gives us the specific line of drive, torque and depth needed for a successful correction.  We find, most of the time, many of these associated symptoms will resolve on their own with improved function in the spinal biomechanics.  If not, an appropriate referral is made.

How can this help you? There is a simple exam that can be used to screen our patients, helping us to see whether there may be a spinal intersegmental dysfunction [subluxation] related to their condition.  The exam is simple and easy to perform.  Have the patient sit on a stool, shirt off, and starting at the base of the spine firmly palpate each spinous process of the spine.  Working up the spine, notice localized swelling and increased tenderness.  If there is spinal involvement, there will be a distinct difference in one segment relative to the other.

This simple test will help us to develop a clear understanding of our patient’s problem and possibly find a simple approach to solving it.

If you have any questions I would be happy to help.

Be Well,
Scott Conklin DC

Why Be Specific

In the world of manipulative medicine there has been a debate going on about the need to be specific. Some feel that all that needs to be done is a generalized manipulation to increase global ROM. This is very different when compared to a specific adjustment. In our office we follow the guidelines below.

1] First and foremost we want to find the primary vertebral segment that is involved. This is done through static palpation looking for point tenderness, pitting edema, muscle spasm. Then motion palpation is used to look for the altered biomechanics and fixation. Instrumentation is used that stimulates and then checks the neurological response of the involved segment.

2] We want to get an accurate count of that vertebra adjusted. This is imperative to ensure we are making the same correction over time.

3] Specific chiropractic adjustments depend on the correct line of drive and torque. Through palpation and weight bearing x-ray, we determine the safest and easiest way to adjust a segment into a neutral weight bearing position.

By following the above steps we try to adjust the primary problem or subluxation and not the compensations. Global manipulation of fixations will not correct the underlining mechanical deficiency. Correcting the cause will. Most times the primary problem is one or two vertebra.

Being specific and getting a good correction is our goal. Through the use of the Gonstead system we strive to find and correct the problem as quickly as possible.
If you would like more information on the Gonstead system or specific chiropractic please call.


Sincerely,
Scott Conklin DC