November 2005

A child's first check‑up ‑‑ The examination: Part 3

by Dr. Ogi Ressel

We ended Part 2 of your examination of this cute seven year‑old, explaining to mom that much of the asymmetry you're finding in the measurements of the head, TMJ, etc., are indicative of possible TBS (Traumatic Birth Syndrome). Believe me, you've captured mom's attention ‑‑ and she's listening intently!

This little girl is sitting on your exam table as you stand behind and palpate the function of her cervical spine. Make certain you talk "TIC" here. Mom needs to know how this whole thing works, so talk. This is not the time to be quiet!

Now (and this is important) have mom stand in front of the cute munchkin and have her place her hands on her daughter's neck. Place your hands over hers and palpate through her fingers. It's important mom feels what you feel. This gives your examination a sense of reality.

Think about this for a moment. How do you explain what you mean when you say that this cute child in front of you has a subluxation? What exactly does that mean to the average parent? Does she or he fully understand it? Or, do many parents simply agree with you because they do not want to appear stupid?

Have mom feel the same movement you feel as you begin to motion palpate the cervical area of this little girl. You'll notice some very interesting findings.

When you perform lateral flexion of the neck, you'll find that the upper cervical area has fairly limited motion on right lateral flexion as compared to the left side in most children. You'll even wonder if you are doing this test correctly. It should be equal on both sides, right? Wrong.

You'll find that the vast majority of children will have a restriction of motion to the right, in the upper cervical area. The left will be free and will exhibit wonderful movement. The reason is that the Atlas will most often subluxate to the right in most children. Why? Could be because of TBS, the normal position of the Occiput during normal "uncomplicated" delivery, mechanically assisted birth, or the influence of the Pelvic Distortion Subluxation Complex on reflex spinal mechanisms. Any way you slice it, the Atlas will be subluxated to the right in most children.

Make certain mom feels what you feel and is in agreement with you (now there's a concept!).

When you find the Atlas subluxated in such a manner, you can almost predict that this girl has had a problem with ear infections earlier. When asked, the reply is almost always, "yes." You'll also find that almost all ear problems will involve the right ear. Mom will often ask me, "How did you know?"

I remember the late Dr. Larry Webster, the grandfather of chiropractic pediatrics, founder of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) and a close friend, once said to me that an Atlas subluxation will lower tissue resistance in that area, making the child more susceptible to ear infections on the side of Atlas laterality.

To parents this seems like magic.

Have this cute munchkin hold onto her own shoulders as you motion‑palpate her Thoracic area. Make certain mom can see and feel what you are finding ‑‑ that is the key.

Have the little girl lay down on her back.

Remind mom that the right side of her daughter's pelvis is working "overtime" and the left side is not working enough. (Remember? I covered this in Part 2 and referred to my paper published in the JVSR on a sample of some 650 children.)

You'll also notice that the muscles of the Tensor Fascia Lata (TFL), or the Illiotibial band, will be hypertonic on the right leg. They will be in a chronic state of spasm.

This is a protective mechanism in order to limit the movement of the right Illium. Yet, at the same time the TFL will cause a subluxation of the right Tib‑Fib articulation and a reflex spasm of the muscles of the anterior compartment of the lower leg. Again, make certain that mom can feel what you feel and compares this to the left side, which should be nice and relaxed.

The right medial aspect of the deltoid ligament at the ankle will also be taught and will be very painful on light palpation ‑‑ mom should agree with you.

So you see, the hip bone is connected to the knee bone...

You are seeing the results of the Pelvic Distortion Subluxation Complex (PDSC), a series of cascade events that will slowly erode the health expression of the cute munchkin in front of you. Your mission is to wipe out this erroneous programming.

The children affected with this entity will often complain of leg pains ‑‑ growing pains come to mind ‑‑ restless leg syndrome, hip pains, foot pains, scoliosis, as well as internal problems. These usually take the form of IBS, Colitis, digestive difficulties, breathing problems, elimination problems and hormonal challenges as they mature. PDSC...not a nice thing to have!

Palpate the costo‑sternal junction and in cases of early spinal curvatures, you'll find this area very tender to touch ‑‑ one of the first indicators of the beginnings of scoliosis.

Have the little girl turn over onto her stomach and do the Deerfield leg check. It's crucial that you have mom see what you see and have her agree with your findings.

Palpate her spine and tell mom what you're finding. It's important to relate what you find to this cute munchkin's complaints, if any.

Your examination is now complete and you are ready to do scans (I suggest the Insight Subluxation Station ‑‑ it's the one I used).

Parents need to see "proof" of what you're finding and how a subluxation is impacting their child's health. The explanation is simple: "I'm checking to see how her nervous system is controlling her internal functions." Most parents are totally okay with that explanation ‑‑ it's simple.

I will cover x‑rays of children at a later date.

(Dr. Ogi Ressel, author, researcher and an x‑ray and pediatric specialist, teaches The Practice Evolution Program, the "fastest‑growing coaching program on the planet." Visit online at www.practiceevolution.com and take the Practice Health Mini‑Checkup. To ask a question or make a comment about this column or receive a copy of the complete paediatric examination and the weekly paediatric and family practice "THOTS" newsletter, e‑mail Dr. Resell at: drogi@practiceevolution.com. He may also be contacted by calling 800‑353‑3082.)