Chiropractic Research Helps Patients Achieve Maximum Health

I recently attended the Subluxation Summit in Kansas City, sponsored by the International Chiropractors Association. Chiropractic as a science has been around for over 120 years; yet, because chiropractic works with such delicate bodily processes as nerve transmission and impulses, it is sometimes difficult to scientifically measure and record the body’s response to the adjustment of and correction of a subluxation. Organizations like the International Chiropractors Association value the importance of scientifically proving the validity of chiropractic, in order to create a more evidence-based (rather than results-based) field of care.

The Subluxation Summit featured both researchers in the field of chiropractic, and doctors of chiropractic. Much of the research presented at these forums is so extensive that it takes up to four years before the results are finally reviewed and published. The doctors of chiropractic who presented at the Summit discussed unique ways of measuring the body’s response to chiropractic subluxation adjustments.

One area of research discussed was the study of cranial nerves, which are the nerves in the brain stem, the part of the brain that extends below the skull and is surrounded by the upper vertebrae. Chiropractors are finding new ways to help people with cranial nerve problems – that is, problems arising when there are transmission interruptions in the nerves that originate in the brain, versus the nerves that come out of the spinal cord. Conditions such as trigeminal myalgia (a condition that causes sudden bursts of intense facial pain) are the result of a cranial nerve problem that can be alleviated via a chiropractic adjustment.

Dr. Francis Murphy of Texas, one of the presenters at the Summit, has extensively researched cranial nerve adjustments involving Cranial Nerve Eleven (CN XI), the nerve that controls the trapezius muscle, which is the muscle used when you shrug your shoulders. His research of CN XI began with his question of whether subluxations affecting this nerve could be the cause of Frozen Shoulder Syndrome (formally known as adhesive capsulitis), a condition characterized by pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint that limits the ability to move the affected shoulder and arm. While examining one of his patients who presented with Frozen Shoulder Syndrome, Dr. Murphy noticed a fixation that he’d never been taught to look for, between the patient’s skull and upper neck bone (the atlas). And this fixation was in a place where it could affect the nucleus of Cranial Nerve Eleven. So, he did what chiropractors do: he adjusted that fixation that he felt, and it reduced his patient’s subluxation. Dr. Murphy’s research revealed that Frozen Shoulder is indeed caused by a subluxation in CN XI and can therefore be treated and alleviated by applying a simple chiropractic adjustment. Dr. Murphy recorded his patients’ response to this adjustment (all of whom had a medical diagnosis of Frozen Shoulder). The patients’ response was immediate; just one adjustment cleared up the condition. To date, Dr. Murphy’s clinic has treated over 5,000 patients with Frozen Shoulder Syndrome using this specific cranial adjustment.

This cranial adjustment technique is just one example of the countless new discoveries and practices within the field of chiropractic as research advances and we learn more and more about the body’s spinal column and nervous system response. Another research project presented at the Subluxation Summit revealed that just one chiropractic adjustment could increase the average student’s strength by 16 percent!

By attending this Subluxation Summit, I learned a new way to treat Frozen Shoulder Syndrome, and this week alone I treated six patients with this type of occipital subluxation. Frozen Shoulder is just one of many conditions that this type of cranial adjustment can address, and this adjustment is just one more tool we can use to serve our patients.

I attend conferences such as this on a regular basis in order to further my education and expertise and have always worked to better myself and expand my range of knowledge and experience in the field of chiropractic. I heard an interesting quote that says, “The definition of nobility is to feel that you are superior to your former self.” As this quote suggests, I’m always seeking to improve my skills as a doctor of chiropractic. If there’s any possible thing that I can learn that will help even just one more person, I want to learn and master it. Reflecting back on all that I’ve learned over the years, I feel very thankful and blessed to have been able to help all the people I’ve helped.

Whether you want to run a marathon or simply be able to mow the lawn or throw a ball without pain or discomfort, our team at Reinecke Chiropractic will take good care of you and get you back to your normal routine quickly, effectively and naturally. Chiropractic care allows you to keep doing the things you want to do.