A Natural and Alternative Treatment Method for Multiple Sclerosis

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

A neurological condition that can affect all age groups, multiple sclerosis (MS), directly interferes with the central nervous system, progressively causing severe nerve damage. Sadly, MS is an incurable condition, however, symptoms can be managed with the help of both conventional and alternative treatments. 

Signs and Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

No two cases of MS are exactly the same, with the severity of symptoms typically linked to the length of time living with the disease and lifestyle factors. 

Some of the most common symptoms of MS include bladder and bowel control issues, generalized tingling or numbness, cognitive difficulties such as memory loss, generalized pain and muscle spasms, visual disturbances, and mental health issues like depression or anxiety. 

How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Multiple Sclerosis

The myelin sheath, a protective layer insulating the tips of neurons, allows for electrical signals to travel effectively and efficiently around the body. In MS patients, the immune system attacks the myelin sheath, incorrectly identifying them as foreign material. When the myelin sheath disintegrates, the neurons are left exposed, affecting the frequency at which nerve signals can be sent around the body. In turn, this can result in miscommunication between bodily systems and a breakdown of essential processes. 

There is growing evidence of a link between MS symptom triggers and dysfunction in the upper cervical spine. If vertebrae in the upper cervical spine (particularly the C1 and C2 vertebrae) are out of alignment, they can pinch the nerves surrounding the brainstem and spinal cord, potentially contributing to the transmission issues created by the loss of myelin. While there is no known cure for MS, treating misalignments in the upper cervical spine can assist in minimizing symptoms of the condition and preventing it from worsening. 

How Our Upper Cervical Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis Works

Dr. Gordon Elder, our MS specialist, is an expert in the Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Technique. The Blair chiropractic method employs precise spinal correction techniques to restore natural alignment along the spinal column and restart the body’s natural healing mechanisms.

Dr. Elder employs a two-step approach to treating upper cervical misalignments. Firstly, patients will attend a 25–30-minute consultation to establish their history and determine whether a vertebral misalignment could be further aggravating their MS symptoms. Then, Dr. Elder will provide you with a comprehensive diagnosis, giving you the opportunity to ask any questions about your condition. The diagnostic process involves the use of advanced 3-D imaging techniques to pinpoint the exact location of any misalignments.

During your first treatment, Dr. Elder will use the Blair chiropractic adjustment techniques to coax the misaligned vertebrae back into their natural position, removing nerve flow impedances and allowing the body to resume natural function, thereby providing some relief from your MS symptoms. 

After the first session, patients do need to return for regular check-ups (for at least 3-5 months) to ensure the adjustment is holding. Most patients average between 10 and 15 appointments with Dr. Elder to achieve long-lasting/permanent results.  

If you’re living with MS symptoms, get in touch today to speak with Dr. Elder about the health of your upper cervical spine. Located in Lubbock, Texas, Dr. Elder also services Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, El Paso in Texas, and Hobbs in New Mexico.

Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.

Why Is The Atlas Bone So Important? | Dr. Jordan Jensen

Image depicting the Atlas Bone, highlighted in red.

The Atlas Bone is the topmost (or highest) vertebra in the neck. It is the vertebra that is in contact with the Occipital bone– a flat bone located at the back of the head.  It’s named after the Greek Titan, Atlas.  The story of Atlas is based in Greek Mythology.  The short version of the story is this:  Zeus, who was considered to be the ruler of the Greek gods, was known for mistreating and abusing those around him.  He continually humiliated the other gods and cheated on his wife with many lovers, among other things.  Zeus’ treatment of the Titans led to an uprising in the heavens, which included the mightiest Titan; Atlas.  The rebellion was unsuccessful, and as punishment for participating in the rebellion, Zeus sentenced Atlas to forever bear the weight of the heavens on his shoulders, lest they fall and destroy the earth.

The image of Atlas holding up the heavens is one that is recognizable by many people even today. That image is why Atlas the Titan is the namesake for the Atlas bone in your C-1 vertebrae.  The Atlas bone stands on the top of your spine and body, like Atlas standing on the earth. The head and brain sit atop the Atlas bone, just like Atlas balancing the heavens. The function of the Atlas bone is the same as well; as Atlas was responsible for holding up the heavens, the Atlas bone is responsible for holding your head and brain in place at the top of your body.

If you notice the position of Atlas, he holds the heavens in a way that keeps the weight of the ball balanced on his body.  This is important because it’s this ability to balance the heavens that kept them from falling and destroying the Earth.  There’s a similarity here with the Atlas bone, as well. The weight of the human head and brain is roughly the same as the weight of a bowling ball.  If the balance is off-center, it creates stress, forcing the body to reposition.  The conclusion is, if your Atlas bone is not properly positioned or balanced, it can create stress that gets carried to the rest of the body, and up into the brain. 

Being on our phones as much as we are and working long hours at a desk make us more susceptible to this imbalance and unfortunately, it’s linked to a number of unwanted symptoms and conditions including headaches, neck pain, back pain, migraines, nausea, seizures, colic, trigeminal neuralgia, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, and ADHD.  It’s amazing to think about, but every area of your body that has nerves (which is pretty much your whole body) can be negatively affected if the Atlas bone is out of alignment with Occipital bone above or the Axis bone (C2 vertebra) below. 

Thankfully, upper cervical chiropractors primarily study the Atlas bone and seek to restore the bone to its best position; and you don’t need to crack or twist your neck to do it.  Since the Atlas bone connects the head to the spine, the position of the bone can have a significant impact on the body’s nervous system.  Every nerve in the human body leads back to the spine, so there are many things that can be impacted by improper alignment of the Atlas bone.

If you or someone you know is experiencing severe pain or any of the other symptoms and conditions listed above, we would love to see how we can help. Upper Cervical Chiropractic care has shown tremendous success in helping patients get back to normal, without being burdened by chronic pain and debilitating ailments.  At Blair Chiropractic Clinic, we want to fix the problem you’re having.  Our motto is “Find it, fix it, then leave it alone”.  Visit www.blairclinic.com or call (806) 747-2735 today to speak with a member of our staff about scheduling a screening or ask any questions you might have.

Multiple Sclerosis and Upper Cervical Chiropractic [Video]

In this video Dr Gordon D. Elder of The Blair Chiropractic Clinic, Lubbock Texas explains how Upper Cervical Chiropractic can be used to help those with Multiple Sclerosis.

Let’s look at Multiple Sclerosis

When I was at school I did a research paper on Multiple Sclerosis. A lot of research in the medical literature and in Chiropractic literature realize that part of the problem in Multiple Sclerosis is related to a neck injury. Almost in all cases. So the few I’ve seen in my office have recovered to a certain degree, it helps them function better. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone improve 100%. There are a couple of different kinds of Multiple Sclerosis and for some people it comes and goes and maybe it just goes for longer periods of time and when it comes it’s not as not as bad or did they need an adjustment and they pull out of it quicker. It’s an interesting disease that we don’t have all the answers to but I know that an upper cervical injury and the neck is part of the key.

Posted in Conditions and tagged chiropractic adjustment, Chiropractor, Lubbock Chiropractor, Lubbock Texas, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Upper Cervical Chiropractic