| 1.Skin temperature differential
The blood vessels in the whole body are controlled by the brain and nervous system. The medulla oblongata (brain stem), where C1 and C2 are located is the control center for that function. In the case of a subluxation here, we can usually see a decrease in the skin surface temperature in this area when compared to the other side or the area below, not always but almost. See Fig.00
Both sides of the upper cervical area indicating a lower temperature than below seem to point to a subluxation. It can also exist if only one side of shows a lower temperature.
Temperature variations within 1 degree Centigrade (2 degrees Fahrenheit) are quite normal. Variations higher than that indicate the possibility of a pathological problem.
A subluxation at the upper cervical C1 and C2 influences often the area of the C5 cervical above and below of it, which will also show a lower temperature on one or both sides, as a compensation on upper cervical.
Fig.00-1 shows the temperature differentials at the subluxation site before and after adjustment. When subluxation is adjusted, as can be seen in the graph, the temperature differential on both sides, and above and below decreases, almost becoming totally even.
Neurogically, problems in the upper cervical area are always considered as problems of the autonomic nervous system.
The medulla oblongata situated at the top of the two cervical vertebrae is the central autonomic nervous system and controls the blood circulation, heart, muscles, skin, glands, internal organs and so on. Temperature will be changed by not only upper cervical subluxation, but also will be changed by stress, medication, and lack of sleeping, alcohol, smoking, overworks, sweat, and more.
Therefore, the existence of a subluxation is always analyzed together with several tests like leg and arm asymmetry, muscle palpation, bone palpation, measurement of gravity movement and more. Upper cervical subluxations are never decided by only single test.
Upper cervical subluxations always show the same pattern at the C1 and C2 area, as shown on the graph. Fig. 01 below shows the previous patient’s (Fig. 00-1) pattern within the red squares.
The figure below is a measurement of the surface temperature of the both side of the spine from the neck down to the waist using another instrument Tytron C-3000. We have access to various instrument models like Fig.01 that give us numerical values to make graphs.
The advancement of technology and science provides us with instruments that get more and more precise.
This is one of the numerous instruments we use in our offices. It displays computer graphics. The data gathered by this instrument is not only shown the graph but also converted into a distribution of colored bars for an easy interpretation that also allows the patient to understand easier of his and her condition.
This instrument provides us with three different angles of analysis of the original subluxation pattern in detail.
Fig. AⅠ(subluxation pattern) and Ⅲ(Pattern Return) displays the right and left temperatures in the shape of waves letting us conclude to a subluxation.
Fig. B lets us see the different temperatures using an array of shades of color. (From green to yellow to orange to red. Red color shows largest temperature differential.)
In Fig. B, the red color indicates a large temperature differential whereas the green color indicates a small temperature differential; the right and left portions are well balanced.
Fig. C indicates a temperature differential, which means that there is a decrease in temperature at the narrow portion of the blue bar.
Each fig. of A.B.C.are same patient and show just the different way as graphs, color density and blue bar. So,Ⅰ. 2003／09／10 is the original subluxation Pattern, Ⅱis after adjustment,Ⅲ 2003/10/25 is next visiting which shows again subluxation returns. As you see this example that when subluxation again occurred at the upper most area, pattern almost returns to the original subluxation pattern like Ⅰas shown above three ways.
Ⅳ is indicating after adjustment with no subluxation, the control center of the blood vessels to have regained the normal function or to be regaining the process to the normal. We can understand that as the extent of the subluxation is improved, in addition temperatures differential disappears and entire balance is also improved. In case of next visiting and indicated the same result of the examination after adjustment or no return to the original subluxation pattern, we can know there is no subluxation, this means no necessity of adjustment.
As mentions following in the section 4. “Posture Analysis”, when there is a great difference in color, and the blue bar is very narrow, this suggests that there is a secondary obstruction of the neurotransmission in the lower spine (Effect area, below fig.). This is due to compensation in the lower area (Effect area, beow fig.) of the spine to a displacement of the upper cervical area.
Looking at this example from a chiropractic point of view using Fig.B and C excepting Fig. A graphs as you may understand easier, the subluxation in the upper cervical area seems to cause a reduction of the temperature on the right side of C4 to C6. There is also a temperature decrease at lumbar vertebrae L2 to L4, especially left side. However, this is only compensation to the displacement in the upper cervical area. Therefore, when the displacement of the upper cervical vertebrae is corrected, the vasomotor center in the medulla oblongata returns to normal, providing a normal blood stream to the whole body. Temperature changes in the lower area of the spine are a natural phenomenon. There is a relation between the upper and lower areas of the spine and when a displacement in the upper area of the spine is corrected, the position of the head returns to normal, the muscles supporting the spine (antigravity muscles) regain their normal power. This correction is the result of an improved neurotransmission from the medulla oblongata resuming its normal function.
These temperature changes observed on the test results can be interpreted as an indication that changes in the upper cervical area cause a “distortion of the spine” and impede the “natural healing power” of the human body.
2. Short Legs and Arms (Hands)
Occurrence of subluxation changing posture causes tension in some muscles. Muscle tension also causes changes in the position structure. These two factors work interdependently. An unbalanced stance can produce the distortioning of the position such as low shoulder, low ilium and affect other joints. A leg or an arm shorter than the other one is usually the effect of an unbalances stance.
Therefore after adjusting the upper cervical subluxation, the patient’s posture will improve because the muscular tension will ease after the flow of neurotransmission has become normal. The frame will return to its normal position and the feet and arms will also become or close to symmetrical.
3. Palpation
Muscles are attached to the body structure and keep its position by themselves. However, as C1 and C2 move away from their original position, the muscles react and are pulled to one side. So palpation of muscles helps us understand the direction of C1 and C2 and that movement is called “listing” by the chiropractors. Each person has his or her own listing. Listing is just like a password people use to access their personal computer, or like a door key of your car or home only can open by it and represents the direction of the misalignment using specific letters of the alphabet. Just like a key opens one door, this listing is the patient’s own key to better health.
There are two kinds of palpation. Muscle palpation and bonny (bone) palpation. If we know the direction of the misalignment by muscles palpation, then doing the bonny palpation for confirming the muscles palpation, if it is correct or not.
Bone palpation (static and in motion) tells us the patient’s range of motion (limitation of the articulation) of the spine.
When there is a subluxation, a portion of the spine is locked or the range of motion is restricted from its normal motion. An upper cervical subluxation especially affects not only the lower spine, but also other articulations that are further from the spine, the hip joints, knee joints and ankles. Therefore, people suffering from problems at these joints (excluding those that need surgery or some other medical support) can be cured naturally by upper cervical adjustment.
4.Posture Analysis
The head is supported by the first cervical vertebra called “Atlas C1”. The skull rotates right or left together with the atlas using the odentoid of axis as a pivot.
When we look at a lateral view of a standing posture(no picture shown here), the gravity line of the body goes through the C1 lateral mass, which is the contact point between the skull condyle and the C1. So, if C1 moves out of line (misalignment), it produces a change in the skull position, which becomes an abnormal position. When the head is positioned away from the center of the body, it becomes unstable. As a result, the brain, through the nervous system, tells muscles of the lower spine include the pelvis to make compensation as a secondary misalignment. The result is an unbalanced posture like Fig. Picture P-A View, not Lateral view here. Usually, when subluxation exists, posture also shows the tendency to return. So, by checking your posture regularly, we can look for a pattern of subluxation.
5. Gravity Analysis
Asymmetry in the legs or arms (as well as shoulder and pelvis distortion) usually causes a lateral shift in gravity, which moves away from the center (MX). The tension in the backbone muscles usually causes gravity to move backward (MY).
See fig. below - Gravity Subluxation Pattern-.
It is quite desirable that gravity stays at the center as much as possible, and rather moves frontward as shown in the next figure. Ideal Location.
As stated above, muscles are controlled by the brain through the nervous system. An upper cervical misalignment produces not only a compensation of the lower spine but also strain in the muscles, which support the spine or structure. Assessing the patient’s head position (tilting or not), shoulder low and rotation, position of the ilium and its rotation, determining asymmetry in arms and legs, position of the body all give the chiropractor indications on the movement of gravity in that patient.
Chiropractors can see the gravity location of the patient in a static position but we can also know the pattern of the gravity constantly when subluxation exist as same as pattern of the posture, short leg and short hand and temperature.
Please see next fig. –Gravity Subluxation Pattern-
In this case, this is the feature pattern of the same patient that shows right side and posterior of the gravity location when short arm (hand) and short leg appeared. However, we can’t decide a subluxation with a gravity analysis only. We never make a final decision with only one test. That is because very few cases, patients with a gravity shift forward (which is ideal location showing above Fig.) can have a subluxation without the shift backward, also though the shift to the right (left) is few.
Comparing the gravity results of a patient with asymmetric legs and arms before and after the adjustment, we will be able to conclude that the patient has recovered if there is no more asymmetry at the legs and arms with any gravity location and also even if still the temperature pattern remains and improves some changes of posture that proves no subluxation exist through the next visits. The reason why happening such phenomenon, we can easily understand that it is a sign of adaptation of the body under the stress or over work, lack of sleeping, lack of physical activity, and also the process of the improvement by the several other factors. Because the antigravity muscle that supports the spine is adjusted in physiology with the vestibular nucleus (nuclei=plural) that exists in the pons and medulla oblongata. So when a subluxation of the upper cervical occurs, the muscular power decreases and a distortion of the frame results. The body will then lack the power to pull strongly enough to support the spine in its correct position. That is why after an adjustment of the upper cervical subluxation, innate intelligence will try to correct the patient’s posture (frame) using the muscles through energy from the brain, energy that is liberated by the adjustment. (See "Posture Changing")
The patient’s posture improves compared to the pre-adjustment posture as gravity moves toward the center. That is in most cases. Sometimes due to other factors, as stated earlier, the improvement comes in a different fashion. See next Fig. Patient a.2002/9/6 and Patient b.2004/11/9 case that pre. (before adjustment and post. /after adjustment.
As seen in those two cases, when you have short hand and short leg and showing gravity location right (left) side posterior of subluxation pattern, after adjustment when short hand and short leg become even or close to even, gravity move to the left (right) side anterior of opposite side.
In addition as shown in the Figure below, it is quite possible that after adjustment gravity will first move backward and then move forward. This is due to the sudden change in the frame position. Individual variations can also occur in the process to stability.
Those 5 examinations are basic and they are performed to guarantee the accuracy of the judgment, indicating beyond a doubt the presence of a subluxation. If there is any doubt as far as the judgment is concerned, further tests will be performed, until certainty has been reached.
About the adjustment:
Adjustment is made at the C1 or C2 level (see below picture). The patient lies on the right or left side, depending on the condition (listing), and adjustment takes only a few seconds. After the adjustment, the patient keeps this position for about 5 minutes and then guided to a resting booth for more relaxation.
Adjustment to infants and children are given in the neck using finger in a very soft manner, like a caress, in the same area of C1 or C2.
Our clinics also care cats and dogs.
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