September 2009

Why upper cervical adjustments don’t hold -- Part 1

by Dr. Howard Loomis

Are spinal subluxations, with involved muscle contraction and loss of range of motion, producing visceral dysfunction and causing the patient’s symptoms or do they result from dysfunction of one or more of the organs and tissues that maintain normal function within the body? I believe the 21st century chiropractor must be able to discern the cause of each involved subluxation every time they are to be adjusted.

Since the spinal innervation of all the body’s tissues are known, it is quite easy to determine when spinal subluxation is the cause and when it’s simply an effect. Identify the subluxation and palpate the involved muscles that share spinal innervation with the involved segment(s) for contraction and tenderness or pain. Adjust the involved spinal segment(s). Re-palpate the peripheral muscles and if the contraction is now reduced, or even removed, the subluxation was causative.

If peripheral muscle contraction is unchanged the subluxation is an effect and a different therapeutic approach is now needed. In such cases, a careful case history, review of systems, examination, and lab tests (if needed) should delineate the cause of the symptoms and a treatment plan devised to restore normal visceral function and spinal range of motion as well.

This month begins a series of columns on upper cervical subluxations and possible involved visceral dysfunctions, starting at C1 and gradually moving down the spine. Next, I’ll be discussing possible involvements with C2. Recall that we only treat one condition, stress, and regardless of its cause (structural, nutritional or emotional) stress produces a specific cascade of physiological events. Failure at any of those steps can easily be identified by the method discussed above.

Chronic C1 -- Atlas subluxations

It is not my purpose to discuss philosophy or various techniques used in correcting subluxations. All chiropractic techniques are effective based on the doctor’s ability. I only discuss here possible causes for chronicity despite the best and repeated chiropractic care.

Structural imbalance

These patients often complain of pain in back of the head and neck, and posterior occipital headaches that shoot directly into one or both eyes.

Palpate along the suboccipital ridge, from one mastoid process to the other. A stress point (tender contracted muscle fibers) may be located anywhere below this ridge, between the occiput and atlas. Tenderness may be traceable from the spine over the occiput to the vertex of the skull and passing on either side of the sagittal suture. Tenderness may even continue over the forehead to the supraorbital ridge and into the orbit.

Next, move down along the posterior cervical transverse processes on both sides. If your subject has frequent headaches, stiff necks or shoulder pain, these areas may be sensitive.

Visceral involvements

We’re all aware that subluxations in the upper cervical spine are often compensations for stress occurring anywhere within the body. My discussion here is directed only at possible local visceral causes. When a stress point is found here, and the patient is structurally asymptomatic an autonomic involvement should be suspected. Stress points in this area are found when the Vagus nerve (parasympathetic nervous system) is not properly stimulated to balance the sympathetic system. Or, to say the same thing only differently, when the body is under stress and the sympathetic cascade must take precedence. In other words, the patient may be exhibiting symptoms of sympathetic dominance anywhere in the body. I am about to list some of the organs affected by the stress cascade and their related sympathetic innervation. Please keep in mind that I will be discussing the sympathetic chain and the superior, middle, and inferior cervical ganglion.

Generally, symptoms of sympathetic dominance would be exemplified by movement of blood away from non-essential organs and towards the muscles to accommodate the “fight or flight mechanism.” This is accompanied by constriction of blood vessels (to the organs) and elevation of blood pressure.

*** There are decreased secretions from mucous membranes of the head (T1 to T2) and the eyes (T1 to T3) resulting in symptoms of dryness.

*** There is increased stimulation to the heart and lungs (T1 to T6 or 7).

*** There is decreased stimulation to the organs of digestion (T4 to T9) and small intestine (T9 to L1) and large intestine (L1 to L3), including contraction of the pyloric valve (T9), ileocecal valve, and anal sphincter (L3).

*** The smooth muscles of the spleen (T6 to T8) contract causes old RBCs to break and to be replaced. Is this patient anemic?

*** The liver (T4 to T10) is the central focus of the body’s attempt to meet prolonged stress. It reduces the flow of bile (T4 to T8) and this causes retention of cholesterol and its build-up in the blood.

*** The liver also must convert its stored glycogen to glucose to elevate blood levels. To do this it must also convert amino acids taken from the cells (retarding growth and repair) and convert them into glucose. How long can we expect this to continue?

*** There is increased stimulation to the endocrine organs, especially the thyroid (C7 to T1) and adrenal medulla and cortex (T9 to T10).

*** There is contraction of the muscles involving the prostate (T10 to T11), uterus, and fallopian tubes (T10 to L1). But, please remember that while these organs are being stimulated they also may have already become exhausted due too prolonged stress and present various symptom patterns.

*** Urination becomes more difficult (T12 to L2).

Stress to any or all of the above organs can cause continued muscle contraction with recurring subluxations of the atlas vertebra. Next time I’ll discuss the specific depletion of nutrients that can be responsible for all of the above.

(Dr. Loomis can be reached by mail at 6421 Enterprise Lane, Madison, WI 53719-1116 or by phone at 800-662-2630. Visit his website at http://www.loomisenzymes.com .)