Management of Concussions with Chiropractic

Concussions obtained in sports is a hot topic right now.  There are several benefits to competing in sports, but there must be caution and awareness given to the risks associated with impact sports.  

Over 3.8 million concussions occur every year in the country, and unfortunately the majority of these happen in high school athletics.  Concussion primarily affects the sensorimotor system in the brain.  A 2007 study published in Clinical Neurophysiology showed improvements in concussed individuals following chiropractic treatments.  Adjustments were given to the cervical spine, or neck area, and several areas showed improvement.  The overall recovery time for patients under chiropractic care following a concussion were significantly higher than those not under chiropractic care.  Sensory integration improved, which involves an athletes ability to touch and balance.  Also, proprioception improved significantly (meaning the body's awareness of its position in space.)  This is vital for athletes because poor proprioception leads to an increased risk of permanent, career-ending injuries.  For example, there is a 4x greater risk of an ACL tear following concussion because of poor proprioception.

Getting checked regularly for nerve interference increases the body's sensorimotor integration!

Haavik-Taylor, H., & Murphy, B. (2007). Cervical Spine Adjustment Alters Sensorimotor Integration-A Somotosensory Evoked Potential Study. Clinical Neurophysiology.



Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV

Chronic Illness in Children

Our bodies have the unique ability to adapt to our environment.  It is widely accepted that the strength of our immune systems depends on environment factors.  This is especially evident in children.  Do you have a friend whose child always seems to be sick?  Have you looked at their environment in which they are being raised such as smoking in the home, emotional stress, sleeping habits, food and beverage choices, exposure to other children, etc and thought no wonder why they are always sick?

A 9 year old patient who was chronically fighting illness such as ear infections, constipation, sinus issues, chronic sore throat, and bloating were just to name a few.  Her mother brought her to a local chiropractic office and multiple subluxations of the spine and neck were discovered.  The child was having neurological signs and symptoms as well.  After only 3 months of routine chiropractic care, the child saw major improvements in her sleeping, constipation issues, and less congestion and sinus infections.  Her overall health was improved and the child missed much less school.

These symptoms were alleviated due to the ability to remove the nerve interference.  This is why chiropractic adjustments can help with allergies, asthma, headaches, bowel issues, restless leg, ADHD, sinus infections, ear infections, and many more especially in the pediatric population.  Children's bodies respond more quickly to chiropractic adjustments due to the fact that they have lived shorter lives in a state of bodily stress, and therefore it takes less time to correct subluxations.

Heagy DT, Canty A. Restoration of olfaction in a child with chronic sinusitis undergoing subluxation-based chiropractic care: A case report.  J Pediatr Matern & Fam Health-Chiropr. 2009 Summer;2009(3):Online access only 4p. ICLID:20776

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV

Can Chiropractic Help Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is known as a mystery diagnosis to most in the medical profession.  Little is known about the cause of fibromyalgia, and patients who have been diagnosed experience a wide range of symptoms, as well as severity of symptoms.  Because so little is known about specifics, treatment plans seem to vary widely and therefore patients are left feeling frustrated as if they are fighting an uphill battle. 
A commonly accepted theory of fibromyalgia is atlas subluxation that causes distorted activity in the brain and it's neurons, which can cause widespread activation of the brainstem and cerebral cortex.  By removing the subluxation with specific upper cervical adjustments to the atlas bone, neurological irritation is gone and the brain's processing pathways are freed to improve function and regulation.

A 2015 case study followed a 32-year old woman who saw a COMPLETE resolution of all fibromyalgia symptoms after only 4 months of chiropractic care! Her initial pre-x-rays revealed a complete loss of cervical curvature in the neck (0 degrees out of 45 degrees).  Her atlas bone was also severely out of alignment.  After 90 days of treatment, a follow-up examination and x-rays took place and revealed restoration of the atlas bone to full alignment and an increase in her cervical curvature to 0 degrees to 20 degrees!  After 4 months of treatment, the patient experienced 100% improvement of her symptoms, and was no longer bedridden, experiencing pain, fatigue, or depression.  She was removed of all pain medications!

Tedder, A., Tedder, N., and S. Gorshack. "Resolution of Chronic Fibromyalgia and Improved Spinal Curves Following Correction of Atlas Subluxation: A Case Report & Selective Review of the Literature." Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research 2015.3 (2015): 24-29. Web.

  

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV

Study Finds Improvement for Depression, PMS, Dysautonomia, and Insomnia with Chiropractic!

A case study published in November 2016 followed a young 27-year old woman suffering from depression, insomnia, severe effects from pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), headaches, constipation, and heartburn.  It is known that at least 16% of Americans suffer from depression.  Physical symptoms associated with depression such as decreased energy, fatigue, anxiety, loss of interest in activities, guilt, insomnia, helplessness, difficulty concentrating, heartburn, and physical pains throughout the body.  The exact cause and triggers of depression may be unknown, but what is very clear is that with depression the brain experiences biochemical changes and also in the nervous system as well.
Chiropractic care evaluates and corrects interference found in the nervous system by aligning the spine.  Since we know that the nervous system controls the bodies regulation of all of the above listed systems, it is clear to see how chiropractic care can improve symptoms of depression.
The woman in the case study was given questions at the beginning of treatment and follow-up questions after 3 months of chiropractic care to quantify her improvements.  After 3 months of treatments, she had a 48% improvement in her depression, 18% improvement in sleep related symptoms, 46% improvement in PMS-related symptoms, 18% improvement in headaches, and an incredible 51% improvement in digestive issues.  All because of removing subluxations found in the spine that changes the way the nervous system functions.  Chiropractic care has amazing results for symptoms you would never think of!  When you release the subluxation, the body is able to remove symptoms and function properly.


Vaden, C., DC, & Pratt, R., DC (2016). Reduction in depression, insomnia, pre-menstrual syndrome & dysautonmia in a patient undergoing subluaxation-based chiropractic care using torque release technique. A. Vertebral Subluxation Res., 2016, 125-132.

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV

Improvement of Scoliosis!

Scoliosis seen in childhood that is allowed to progress into adulthood has been shown to lead to cardiovascular disease, respiratory failure, back pain,  spinal degeneration, disability, emotional impairments and a decreased quality of life.  Approximately 2-4% of children ages 10-16 have scoliotic curves left unattended.  Traditional, conservative methods for treating scoliosis includes braces, and spinal exercises.  Severe treatment includes surgery with rod placement around the spine.

A long-term study followed adolescents with scoliosis whose curves were in 2 categories; a 7-10 degree scoliotic curve or at least an 11 degree curve or worse.  In this particular study, all patients were receiving chiropractic care for over one year.  The researchers who conducted the study found improvements of 48-62% of their curvatures.  Meaning, patients with 7-10 degree curves found a 62.1% improvement of those scoliotic curves! All because of gentle, specific chiropractic adjustments to the neck and spine.

Chiropractic care can not only improve scoliosis but prevent progression of it!

Harden J, Jaszewski E, Galano J. Reducation and maintenance of scoliotic and sub-scoliotic curvatures: A follow-up study on children with idopathic scoliosis undergoing subluxation correction with Pierce Results System. J Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health. 2017;2017(1):16-23.

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV

Non-Surgical Treatment for Carpal Tunnel

Carpal tunnel syndrome is often described as pain, numbness, or tingling on the side of the wrists due to the Median nerve in the wrist being aggravated.  Carpal tunnel can affect both wrists simultaneously.  The pain comes from the Median nerve, which controls muscles and sensations in the arm and wrists.  The nerve is comprised of branches of nerves stemming from the spinal nerves in the middle neck and upper back.

When subluxations are present in the neck, we often see symptoms in other areas of the body, such as the case with carpal tunnel.  Patients feel numbness, tingling, and pain in the wrists and hands when the actual cause of the symptoms is rooted in the neck.  The pain associated with carpal tunnel can be debilitating, causing great stress by effecting everyday activities such as eating, driving, and personal care.  Chiropractic care has long been proven to help with carpal tunnel syndrome.

A study published in 2014 followed a woman with carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands who had improvement following just 5 chiropractic adjustments.  When an adjustment is made to the cervical spine to relieve the pressure on the nerves, those nerves are able to function optimally and symptoms are reduced.  Chiropractic adjustments are safe, gentle, and non-invasive treatment for carpal tunnel patients that provides treatment to the cause of the syndrome not just to the symptoms.

Murphy J Floyd R, Varnum C.  Resolution of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome following subluxation based chiropractic care: A case study [case report]. Ann Vert Sublux Res. 2014 Fal;2014(4):Online access only p 206-210.

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV

Research Provides New Hope for MS Patients

After images taken of the spine in a weight-bearing position as opposed to laying flat, researchers have learned that many symptoms associated with MS can be caused by misalignments found in the vertebrae of the neck. This misalignments or subluxations can be related to injuries as far back as eight or more years ago!  These subluxations block cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from flowing freely to the brain and spinal cord.  These obstructions increase pressure in the skull and cause "leakages" into the surrounding brain tissue.  The protein found in the CSF leaks have been found to cause an autoimmune reaction in the brain that leads to symptom-generating lesions found in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Specific chiropractic adjustments can improve the flow of CSF by removing these misalignments and subluxations.  In a study published in 2011, one particular patient experienced immediate improvements in vertigo, vomiting just after their first adjustment!  The time between injury and onset of MS (8years) shows why it is essential to get checked regularly by your chiropractor, especially after any injury! Even if you are not experiencing symptoms after an injury, research is showing that particularly with MS patients the disease is showing 8 years after traumatic injury.



Damadian RV, Chu D.  The Possible Role of Craniocervical Trauma and Abnormal Cerebrospinal Fluid Hydrodynamics in the Genesis of Multiple Sclerosis and the Craniocervical Syndrome.  The Craniocervical Syndrome and MRI. September 2011:74-91.  doi:10.1159/000365473.

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV