Pediatrics and Pregnancy
Chiropractic care for children offers your family a solid foundation for wellness. Throughout pregnancy, birth, and childhood, the chiropractic lifestyle offers choices and benefits for your greater health and well-being. A research group, The ICPA, has initiated a ground breaking study on the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic care for children. The preliminary results are outstanding and show that chiropractic care is safe for children. Even more significant is that parents reported three unexpected improvements with their child’s care:
- Improved sleeping
- Improved behavior and attitude
- Improved immune system function
Jeanne Ohm, D.C. states, more and more parents are seeking chiropractic care for their children. Many spinal problems seen in adults began as early as birth. Even so called “natural” birthing methods can stress an infant’s spine and developing nerve system. The resulting irritation to the nerve system caused by spinal and cranial misalignment can be the cause of many newborn health complaints. Colic, breathing problems, nursing difficulties, sleep disturbances, allergic reactions and chronic infections can often be traced to nerve system stress.
Since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth, many parents have their newborns checked right away. As the infant grows, learning to hold up the head, sit, crawl and walk are all activities that affect spinal alignment and are important times to have a child checked by a Doctor of Chiropractic.
As the child begins to participate in regular childhood activities like skating or riding a bike, small yet significant spinal misalignments (subluxations) may occur. If neglected, the injuries during this period of rapid growth may lead to more serious problems later in life. Subtle trauma throughout childhood will affect the future development of the spine leading to impaired nervous system function. Any interference to the vital nerve system will adversely affect the body’s ability to function at its best.
One of the most common reasons parents seek care for their child is trauma from an injury of some sort. These misalignments may or may not result in immediate pain or symptoms. Regular chiropractic checkups can identify potential spinal injury from these traumas, make the correction early in life and help avoid many of the health complaints seen later in adults. Proper spinal hygiene is an important key to better health.
Another sought out reason for care is the resolution of a particular symptom or condition. Parents seek care for conditions such as colic, ear infections, asthma, allergies and headaches (to name a few) because they have heard from other parents that chiropractic care can help.
It is important to understand that the Doctor of Chiropractic does not treat conditions or diseases. The expertise of the chiropractor is in checking the child’s spine for misalignments that impair nervous system function therefore affecting overall body function. The bones of the spine, the vertebrae, house and protect the spinal cord. The spinal cord is an extension of the brain and carries information from the brain to the body parts and back to the brain again. Subluxations interfere with the nerves’ ability to transmit this vital information.
Thompson Drop:
The Thompson Technique utilizes a “Segmental Drop Table” to enhance the motion imparted towards the segment or area to be Adjusted. Dr. Clay Thompson introduced the concept of adding motion by inventing a headpiece that would drop away as the adjustment thrust was applied to the vertebral segment. He was granted a patent in 1955. Since the new idea was such a success Dr. Clay then went on to invent a table with drop pieces for adjusting the dorsal, lumbar and pelvic area, and introduced it in 1957.
The “Segmental Drop System” takes advantage of the spine’s inherent joint design to move the spinal segment in the direction that will improve bio-mechanics and restore healthy motion, while removing nerve disturbance.
Leg Length Analysis Concept
Another important aspect of Thompson Technique is the method used to determine an imbalance in the nervous system. The “Leg Length System” or “Nerve Reflex Analysis” Dr. Torres uses, is based on the early work of Dr. Derifield of Detroit, Michigan. The neurological basis for balance is found in the Reticular System of the brain where the Inhibitory and Facilitory systems maintain balance of the musculature of the body. A neurological imbalance, or “reflex,” will affect the musculature of the spine resulting in one leg being short when observed with the patient lying face down. The feet are observed in the extended position and then flexed to compare one with the other noting any difference in length. The “Nerve Reflex Analysis” has five levels of interpretation developed by Drs. Derifield and Thompson. The length is observed at the juncture of where the heel and shoe come together with inversion and eversion removed and no dorsiflexion or plantar flexion of the feet. Subluxation levels are based on the analysis to determine what areas that need to be adjusted. This is correlated with Physical Examination, X-ray and Motion findings, Palpation and Instrumentation utilized by Dr. Torres.
Toggle Upper Cervical:
Toggle Upper Cervical technique is a specific system of analyzing and adjusting the upper cervical vertebrae of the spinal column. When these vertebrae misalign in such a way as to interfere with the brain stem and spinal cord as they exit through the floor of the skull and into the neural canal. Special attention is given to the first two cervical vertebrae, the atlas and axis, as they are the most freely moveable vertebrae in the spinal column and the ones most commonly misaligned.
After many years of research and study of all the techniques that were developing at the time, Dr. B.J. Palmer the developer of chiropractic realized that the only place a person could truly have interference to the nervous system was at the level of the base of the skull; and the atlas and axis vertebrae. There are no intervertebral discs between the skull and the atlas, or between the atlas and axis vertebrae. Most movement of the head and neck occur at this level. The joint surfaces in this area move more on a horizontal plane rather than a vertical plane as in the rest of the spine. This area is not supplied with the abundance of supporting ligaments that are found in the rest of the spine. As a result of these characteristics of the cervical spine, it becomes the weakest link in the chain when exposed to the forces of trauma such as the birth process, falls, auto accidents, stress etc.
Dr. Palmer conducted studies in Germany on cadavers and found that the brain stem or medulla, extended into the neural canal down to the level of the lamina of the second cervical vertebrae, at which point it becomes the spinal cord extending downward. The brain stem has been referred to as “Houston Control”. It is the area where nerve cell centers are located that control many of the major functions of the body such as heart beat, respiration, digestion, elimination, our heating and cooling mechanism, constriction and dilation of the veins and arteries, muscle coordination, etc. Most of the functions of the body that we don’t have to consciously think about are controlled at the brain stem level.
The brain stem at the level of the atlas vertebrae consists of approximately ten billion nerve fibers sending messages through the spinal cord to the cells of the body and from the cells back to the brain. These nerve fibers are arranged in small bundles called nerve tracts. These nerve tracts are either sensory or motor. The sensory nerves allow us function of the organs and systems while moving the body about it’s environment, via the musculoskeletal system. Gray’s Anatomy states, “the nervous system is the master system of the body controlling and coordinating all the functions of the body and relating the individual to his environment.”
The atlas and axis are the only vertebrae in proximity to the brain stem. When they misalign to the extent that they put pressure on the brain stem and or spinal cord they interfere with the vital messages being sent to and from the brain to all parts of the body. If, for example, the atlas is impinged against the part of the cord that sends messages to the left hand, that individual may experience a numbness, burning or tingling sensation in that hand. If the nerve tracts at the brain stem level go to the heart are being impinged that individual may experience high blood pressure, palpitations or an irregular heartbeat. Any part of the body can be effected when there is pressure on the brain stem or spinal cord because almost all of the nerves have to pass through this area before reaching the part of the body they innervate.
When a vertebrae misaligns to the extent that it interferes with nerve tissue and reduces the mental impulses it is termed a subluxation. A subluxation may be present for months or years before producing any outward signs such as pain or symptoms, causing the body to break down to a state of diseases
Sigma Instrument (formerly ProAdjuster):
The trend toward Instrument-based adjusting continues to grow within the Chiropractic Profession, to the point where it is now one of the most commonly used technique approaches in today’s practice, second only to Diversified –type manual spinal manipulation.
Unique to chiropractic treatment and technique approaches, SIGMA Instrument Methods™ makes use of an advanced technical instrument for both spinal analysis and spinal adjustment. The system is driven by a sophisticated software package, designed to help the practitioner in locating and treating spinal segmental dysfunction and/or fixations.
SIGMA Instrument Methods™ is proud to provide the latest in quality technical training, certification and ongoing educational support for users of all SIGMA-based chiropractic treatment instruments.
SIGMA Instrument Methods™ does not base its approach on any specific static listing formula, leg-length analysis or chiropractic philosophy, but instead uses a straightforward neuro-functional approach based on best available evidence in the fields of neurophysiology and chiropractic science. For this reason, SIGMA Instrument Methods™ approach is easily understood and readily accepted by chiropractors, patients and medical professionals alike, around the world. SIGMA Instrument Methods™ provides a precise, gentle and preferred advanced, computer-assisted instrument-based assessment and treatment approach unprecedented in the Chiropractic profession. The key to the therapeutic response is the precise, quantified, and reproducible low force, resonant percussive impulses that are delivered to the tissue by the treatment head. The SIGMA Instrument can be used for both spinal adjustment and extremity treatment. Moreover it is completely adaptable, and can be integrated easily with most existing chiropractic technique approaches, philosophies and treatment styles.
The Analysis function of The SIGMA AdjustingSystem™ isolates and identifies vertebral segments that have a resistance and frequency response that is different from the expected norm for similar vertebral segments in a similar individual. Each region of the spine (cervical, thoracic, lumbosacral) is analyzed separately and the results are displayed graphically. After the analytical phase, the doctor selects the segment or segments for adjustment and the SIGMA Adjusting System™ will apply low-force, resonance percussive impulses to the selected spinal segments. The pre-test analysis of the motor unit allows the software to calculate the correct adjustment frequency based on a natural sub-harmonic of the motor unit in question. The software automatically stops when tissue compliance has responded according to the parameters you set. The spinal region is then immediately rescanned to determine the response of the patient to treatment. If indicated the area can be re-treated and re-scanned as needed.
Unlike all other instrument-based Chiropractic techniques that limit their instruments to a single impulse, poorly controlled vibration, hard to understand rationale or arbitrary frequency limitations, the SIGMA Instrument gives you complete choice in the computer-controlled therapeutic settings that work best for your patient. Better yet, the piezoelectric sensor is capable of matching the exact sub-harmonic resonant percussion force to the natural frequency of the tissue level being treated. No other treatment instrument can even come close to that claim.
Unique to all instruments on the market, the SIGMA™ Instrument can also predictably and reliably deliver corrective adjustive forces across the complete spectrum from single impulse to oscillating percussion at a frequency of 12 percussions per second. The precise magnitude of the calibrated adjustive force delivered can be computer-controlled precisely within a range of 10 to 35 pound per square inch.
Extremity Expert, TMJ, Foot, Gait and Orthotics:
Dr. Torres is a CCEP diplomate certified chiropractor. Certified Chiropractic Extremity Practitioner (CCEP) presents practical objective-based solutions for treating the extremities. The seminar series teaches how diagnosis and treatment is made simple through understanding the bio-mechanical functions of each joint. Clinical findings are discussed and demonstrated in this intensive hands-on seminar.
Chiropractic often stresses the importance of nerve interference in the spine, but neglects that it may also occur in the extremities. This simplified process utilizes neurological tests as indicators for adjusting, providing instant feedback for patients when their strength returns immediately.
Dr. Torres is one of only 1,200 fully certified CCEP’s across the globe. These doctors are usually chosen to work on professional and Olympic athletes because of their specialized skill set.