Cranio-Cervical chiropractic
What is Cranio-Cervical Chiropractic?
Cranio-Cervical Chiropractic focuses primarily on the Cranio-Cervical Junction and how this area relates to health.
What is the Cranio-Cervical Junction?
“Cranio” pertains to the cranium (skull), face and Temperomandibular Joint (TMJ).
“Cervical” pertains to the cervical spine (neck). The upper cervical spine pertains to the top two vertebrae; C1 or the “Atlas” and C2 or the “Axis”. The lower cervical spine pertains to C3-C7.
“Junction” pertains to the spinal area that connects the cranium to the cervical spine. It consists of the Occiput (base of the skull), Atlas (C1), and Axis (C2).
What is a Cranio-Cervical Subluxation?
A subluxation is the loss of the proper position (misalignment) and motion (fixation) of a joint that interferes with the function of the nervous system. A Cranio-Cervical Subluxation pertains to misalignment of the joints of the upper cervical vertebrae.
How does a Cranio-Cervical Subluxation affect your health?
(1) Body imbalance. When the head (10-14 pounds) is shifted off the center of the top of the neck the rest of the body will compensate for the shift in weight. In its effort to keep the head over the center of the neck, the spine and pelvis will twist which causes one leg to shorten. This can cause compensatory subluxation’s throughput the spine and into the cranium which will result in a multitude of health problems. The spinal misalignment causes joint dysfunction and interferes with proprioception (sense of self-movement, action and body position).
(2) The spinal misalignment causes joint dysfunction and interferes with proprioception (sense of self-movement, action and body position).
(3) Interference to the proper function of the brainstem which is responsible for many vital functions of life, such as breathing, consciousness, blood pressure, heart rate, sleep, balance control, coordination and reflexes.
(4) Poor circulation to and from the brain. This can be seen as cold hands and feet, swelling in the lower extremities, cognitive dysfunction, digestive problems, fatigue, joint pain, muscle cramping and skin color changes.
(5) Spinal cord tension and altered flow of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF). The spinal cord is covered with 3 “meningeal” layers. The middle layer is a web-like structure filled with CSF that cushions the brain. Cranio-Cervical Subluxation creates tension on the meninges which alters CSF flow. The CSF supplies nutrients to neurons and removes waste products of cellular metabolism.
How is a Cranio-Cervical Subluxation Corrected?
Chiropractors correct subluxations with the chiropractic adjustment which “unlocks” the misaligned joint so that the innate intelligence of the body can complete the realignment. The chiropractor introduces the force into the fixated joint so that the body can perform the correction.
Are there different ways to correct the Cranio-Cervical Subluxation?
Yes, both traditional (manual or by-hand) adjustments and instrument-based adjustments can effectively correct the subluxation. Dr. Langel specializes in the use of Chiropractic Instrument Adjusting (CIA) which is done with great comfort to the patient. These “non-manipulative” adjustments require no pulling, twisting, popping or cracking and are performed with the patient in a relaxed position.
What types of adjusting techniques are performed?
Dr. Langel has been in practice since 2002 and incorporates aspects of many different chiropractic adjusting techniques into his practice. These include:
- Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique (AMCT)
- Blye Cranial Technique (BCT)
- Cranial Adjusting Turner Style (CATS)
- Fundamental Technique
- Impulse Adjusting Technique
- Koren Specific Technique (KST)
- MC2 Tonal Upper Cervical Technique
- Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT)
- Torque Release Technique (TRT)
The most common adjustments are performed with the “Activator” instrument, the “Arthrostim” instrument and with the SOT “pelvic blocks.” The Activator is a hand-held, spring-loaded instrument that provides a single thrust into the subluxated joint when the instrument is fired.
The Arthrostim is a hand-held, electric solenoid instrument that can provide a variety of thrusts when the trigger is depressed. It can provide a single thrust (like the Activator) and can provide “multiple impulses” at 3 Hertz (3 thrusts per second), 6 Hertz (6 thrusts per second), or 12 Hertz (12 thrusts per second).
The SOT pelvic blocks are placed under the patients pelvis when they are lying on their stomach or back. The blocks are positioned in a specific manner to realign the pelvis and relax the spinal muscles. The joints are realigned through the work of gravity and the patient’s breathing.
Does Dr. Langel only adjust the Cranio-Cervical Subluxation?
Even though we focus primarily on the Cranio-Cervical Junction, the body is one continuous system; everything is connected. Therefore, our adjusting techniques embrace this philosophy. Health problems can be caused from “above-down” as well as “below-up.” A house with an unleveled foundation can result in cracks in the ceiling.
The Importance of the Central Nervous System
The importance of keeping the central nervous system (CNS) cannot be understated. The CNS regulates and controls all parts and functions in your body. The central nervous system has the brain, the brainstem, and the spinal cord. It is highly relevant because if the head and neck are not in proper alignment, a malfunction can occur. Thus, it can disrupt essential brain signals or messages to any part of the body. Therefore, it would also cause numerous health issues and pain anywhere in the body.
CRANIAL CARE
To further address correct cranial subluxations, Dr. Langel uses the "Blye Cranial Technique". Blye Cranial Technique is a neurologically-based, subluxation specific cranial adjusting technique. It produces very dramatic results on physical, neurological and mental conditions, many which were previously thought to be incurable.
Blye Cranial Technique IS NOT craniosacral therapy.
Blye Cranial Technique was developed by Dr. John Blye, a chiropractor from Lynnwood, WA and is based on the E/R Model of Dis-ease ("dis-ease" means "lack of coordinated function"). When a cranial bone is subluxated it causes neurological dysfunction. The purpose of a cranial adjustment is to remove the subluxation and restore normal neurological function.
The cranium (skull) houses 80% of the central nervous system. Cranial bones are interlinked via cranial articulations. These joints are called “sutures”. The proper movement of cranial bones is critical to proper brain function. This movement allows the normal brain to expand and contract as necessary to maintain normal intracranial pressure. This motion also circulates cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) around the brain.
A Cranial Subluxation is a condition where movement of the cranial articulations is reduced or absent. Like vertebral subluxations, cranial subluxations cause health problems due to nerve pressure. Cranial Subluxations increase intracranial pressure and cause abnormal brain function at the location of the cranial subluxation. An increase in intracranial pressure can cause a disruption of proper brain function due to increased nerve pressure to the delicate brain tissue. These effects can be very profound as the brain controls and coordinates everything in the body and mind.
Cranial Chiropractors have specialized training in the detection, reduction, and elimination of cranial subluxations. Only chiropractors with advanced training can safely correct cranial subluxations. Chiropractic adjustments of the cranium restore proper cranial motion. This removes nerve pressure, restores CSF circulation and intracranial pressure, normalizes brain function, and improves health.
While most other cranial techniques use a very light touch, Blye Cranial Technique utilizes a chiropractic adjusting instrument to safely perform the adjustments. This allows us to provide a controlled amount of force, in a specific direction, to accurately correct cranial subluxations.
