Is there an adjustment for the sinuses? How about ear infections? Gout? Sciatica? When I am asked if there are different adjustments for different conditions I respond by saying no, we do not adjust for the condition. We can only adjust the subluxation which is fixation of the spine causing nerve stress, muscle spasm, inflammation and degeneration. But, some adjustments are more immediate, more important to do today. So we adjust not for the condition, but we rank the subluxation that needs adjusting based upon the current need. Please let me explain.
For the sake of argument let’s pretend that your spine has 9 vertebrae that are subluxated, 3 in the neck, 3 in the mid back and 3 in the lower back. As discussed in a previous article, I can generally only adjust 2 bones in each part of the spine on any given visit. So I have to prioritize the adjustment on each visit, or triage. The triage process can have many factors going into it. Which bone is most fixated? Where is the greatest amount of muscle spasm? Where is the degeneration on x-ray the worst? Which one is most tender? What does the x-ray indicate? In the absence of any other information I will use the above questions to determine what I will do today.
But if you say that you are having sciatica, then I am going to move L4 or L5 up to the top of the triage list. If your baby has an ear infection, I will look at the occiput (skull) very hard. If you are in the last couple months of pregnancy I will check out your sacrum thoroughly. If you are having vertigo – C1. Stiff neck – 1st rib. Numbness in the thumb – C6. Menstrual cramps – upper lumbar or pelvis. Sinus – C2. And the list goes on.
The ultimate goal is as complete correction of subluxation throughout the spine as is possible. In our example we will require repeated adjustments of the 9 subluxations over time to remold the spine and reprogram the nerve system as to what normal is. And during this process some of those 9 will cease to need adjusting and new ones may come into the process due to structural and functional changes of the spine during reconstruction. It is a living process.
So when you come in for your weekly adjustment I will find the subluxations and triage them based upon the information that I have. I don’t need you to tell me what your symptoms are to reconstruct your spine. However, if you are having symptoms that will affect my triage of the adjustment feel free to tell me what they are. Some may respond to today’s adjustment but most require time until more permanent change is made to the spine. And unfortunately, some will never get better because of the severity of functional or structural damage to the spine due to delay in the initiation of care or the severity of the injury.
For the sake of argument let’s pretend that your spine has 9 vertebrae that are subluxated, 3 in the neck, 3 in the mid back and 3 in the lower back. As discussed in a previous article, I can generally only adjust 2 bones in each part of the spine on any given visit. So I have to prioritize the adjustment on each visit, or triage. The triage process can have many factors going into it. Which bone is most fixated? Where is the greatest amount of muscle spasm? Where is the degeneration on x-ray the worst? Which one is most tender? What does the x-ray indicate? In the absence of any other information I will use the above questions to determine what I will do today.
But if you say that you are having sciatica, then I am going to move L4 or L5 up to the top of the triage list. If your baby has an ear infection, I will look at the occiput (skull) very hard. If you are in the last couple months of pregnancy I will check out your sacrum thoroughly. If you are having vertigo – C1. Stiff neck – 1st rib. Numbness in the thumb – C6. Menstrual cramps – upper lumbar or pelvis. Sinus – C2. And the list goes on.
The ultimate goal is as complete correction of subluxation throughout the spine as is possible. In our example we will require repeated adjustments of the 9 subluxations over time to remold the spine and reprogram the nerve system as to what normal is. And during this process some of those 9 will cease to need adjusting and new ones may come into the process due to structural and functional changes of the spine during reconstruction. It is a living process.
So when you come in for your weekly adjustment I will find the subluxations and triage them based upon the information that I have. I don’t need you to tell me what your symptoms are to reconstruct your spine. However, if you are having symptoms that will affect my triage of the adjustment feel free to tell me what they are. Some may respond to today’s adjustment but most require time until more permanent change is made to the spine. And unfortunately, some will never get better because of the severity of functional or structural damage to the spine due to delay in the initiation of care or the severity of the injury.