Chiropractors who practice Upper Cervical Care are different from traditional chiropractors in that they focus on the first two segments in the neck, the atlas and axis, and their relationship to the brain stem.
Background of chiropractic care
For a little background, the word ‘chiropractic’ comes from the Greek words cheir (meaning ‘hand’) and praktos (meaning ‘done’), i.e., done by hand. All chiropractors practice a holistic approach to healthcare, attempting to treat conditions without drugs or surgical intervention. Although manual healing methods can be traced back to ancient times, the chiropractic profession in the United States began to take shape in the late 1800s.
Daniel David (DD) Palmer is widely credited with giving the first chiropractic adjustment in 1895. He established the first chiropractic school in 1897 in Davenport, Iowa. Gradually, he and other pioneers in the field continued to refine chiropractic techniques. In particular, early practitioners studied how manual manipulation could relieve pain and improve function. While spinal manipulation is a hallmark of all chiropractic care, present day chiropractors have developed a variety of therapies and modalities to address patients’ needs.
A Better Way
Dr. BJ Palmer, the son of DD Palmer, was the first Upper Cervical chiropractor. As he was seeking better ways to take care of his patients in the clinic and school that he operated, he noticed that some patients did not respond well to traditional chiropractic treatments. He began to adjust only the most severe mis-alignments in the patients’ spines. Over time, he studied his procedures and the results they garnered. He eventually found that the higher up in the spine he adjusted, the better the patient responded. As he researched the function of the upper cervical spine and its impact on the neurological system, he began to focus his work on that area of the spine almost exclusively.
The first and second bones in the human neck are incredibly important. They protect the portion of the nervous system which is vital to our health. Mis-alignment of those two bones cause an incredible variety of conditions. Over time, Dr. Palmer realized that many of his patients responded well treatment focusing on those two bones (upper cervical care), and that the treatments did more than just ease pain. Eventually people began flocking to his clinic for his specialized treatment. Dr. Palmer’s research clinic operated from 1935 to 1955. In that time, he treated thousands of cases, including migraines, back pain, scoliosis, amenorrhea, seizures & more!
The reality is that Dr. Palmer never looked at treating symptoms. He was more focused on correcting the things that might cause pains and symptoms, and often his treatments “cured” things that didn’t seem related. He learned that his patients’ bodies were able to heal themselves once their nervous systems were properly aligned.
Where We Are Now
Every Upper Cervical Chiropractic office is built upon the foundation of Dr. Palmer’s discoveries. Upper Cervical chiropractors focus on what seems to be such a minuscule part of our complex bodies, yet the impact of mis-alignment can be felt throughout our entire system.
Traditional chiropractors continue to focus on what may seem stuck or painful at the current time. Upper Cervical chiropractors focus on correcting the structural shift which prevents the body from proper alignment. Upper Cervical treatments also relieve pressure from the brain stem area to allow normal functions to resume.
About Keystone Chiropractic
As an engineer, Dr. Schurger looks at the whole body as a system to determine what is best for each patient. He performs custom spinal imaging for each patient in order to create a custom correction. Dr. Schurger has transformed himself through the ketogenic diet. As part of his practice, he offers nutritional advice to help patients improve their overall health (weight loss being a side effect). His practice, Keystone Chiropractic, focuses on upper cervical chiropractic care, and is located at 450 S. Durkin Drive, Ste. B, Springfield. Call 217-698-7900 to set up a complimentary consultation to see if he can help you!
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