CCSVI and CCVBP

[NZer1]

Thanks Dr. I am going this evening. I have told John, but to be honest I am of the view that he listens, but I'd don't actually feel heard.
I have figured out that the changes/increases that I am experiencing are mostly sensory, which is good I guess although its like its mounting on top of the pile, and I am concerned that it could change to motor if it is about lesion growth. Too much thinking without really knowing what's happening!!!!!!!!
Because the last MRI, two years ago said lesion at C2 naturally my mind is aware of the area being worked on.
Can you tell me what is the goal for a chiro when using activator or other type of adjustment please. What is the process they are wanting to induce?
Thanks Nigel.

[NZer1]

Live update. I explained the situation and C3 and T2 were out. No other adjustment required although pelvis wedges were in place for 5 mins prior to check and activator adjustment.
Will see how I am tomorrow.

[uprightdoc]

Can you tell me what is the goal for a chiro when using activator or other type of adjustment please. What is the process they are wanting to induce?

Hi Nigel,
Different methods use different parameters to check progress. NUCCA upper cervical uses specific pre and post x-rays in the first treatments to evaluate changes. They also use an anatometer which checks the level of the shoulders and pelvis in upright posture as well as weight distribution between the left and right legs. They also check leg length which is important to most methods used by all chiropractors. Many upper cervical methods also use thermograms to monitor correction and to determine when to adjust. Thermograms check heat differentials along the spine. I had the two types of hand held NCMs which were the original types. The new digital ones are much better in my opinion.

In contast to most upper cervical methods I used a full gamut of standard orthopedic and neurological tests. I always checked station (Rhomberg tests) and gait in all neuro cases regularly. It doesn't take that long. Standard medical tests were followed by chiropractic postural analysis uisng plumb lines and a scoliometer to asses shoulder and pelvic level (similar to the Anatometer). The scoliometer could also monitor depth of curves which the Anatometer does not. (you have a loss of cervical curve). I also did standing and seated range of motion analysis of flexion, extension, lateral bending and rotation of all the individual segments as well as global ranges of motion of the entire spine. In experienced hands, ranges of motion testing can easily locate misaligned/subluxated segments and check for improved motion following adjustment. I also used a lot of basic and advanced manual muscle tests. Muscles are the best way to assess the nervous system as nerves and muscles are closely connected and related to each other. In addition to strenght, muscle tests tell you a lot about the quality of muscle response. Some neuro conditions such as Parkinson's have slow reaction times and classic cogwheel response.

[NZer1]

A question;
What is it about the adjustment (eg. activator) that creates the change in subluxations?
Can you tell me what is the goal for a chiro when using activator or other type of adjustment please. What is the process they are wanting to induce?

[David1949]

Dr. Flanagan
16 years ago I began having numbness in the fingers of my left hand. Two years later it was getting worse and I also started having L'Hermitte sign. I thought it was probably due to a pinched nerve in the neck. But I was dxed with MS by a neurologist based on an MRI which showed white spots on the brain. Several years later another Neuro confirmed the ms dx based on a spinal tap which showed elevated level of igg antibodies in the spinal fluid.

Can spinal misalignments cause the plaques in the brain which characterize MS?
Also can they cause igg antibodies to be present in the spinal fluid?

Could it be that I was right in my pinched nerve theory and the neuros were wrong?

Hello David,
Spinal misalignments can cause hyperintensity signals on brain scans. The hyperintensity signals can be due to different causes such as edema and ischemia. The only way to definitively determine if they are associated with plaques is on autopsy. There is definitely enough evidence to implicate MS in your case. If not definite, it's certainly highly probable. What's missing is waxing and waning and symptoms other than just the left hand numbness. You may indeed have a pinched nerve in your neck and it may be that the hyperintensity signals in the brain were caused by the same problem that caused the numbness and tingling in the left hand. Tell me more about your case. What kind of work did you do before the symptoms began. Did you have any traumatic injuries?

I don't have relapses or remissions. Over the 14 years since the Dx, my condition has gradually deteriorated. I have severe drop foot and weakness in the left leg. I can only walk 100-200 yards without tripping. But with my othotic foot brace I can walk one mile. My right side is unaffected. I have some heat sensivity but not too bad. There is also occassional twitching of my left foot at night. Those are the only symptoms I have.
I don't have; fatigue, cog fog, MS hug, or any pains. There are no vision problems other than nearsightedness which is corrected by glasses, and has not changed for many years.

Before I retired I was an enginner so I spent most of my time behind a desk. I don't remember any specific injuries to the head or neck.

Thank you for your consideration.

[Ruthless67]

Hi Dr Flanagan,

I'm doing well since my last adjustment on 11/30/10. The thing is, though the Chiropractor seemed to know what he's doing, I have to get on and off two major freeways. I'd still like to find one closer to where I'm staying.

(Going to San Francisco to see a Chiro is not a good option either as it means 2 freeways, then a ferry ride, then public transportation to appointment at office.)

Is there an Upper Cervical Doctor in the Napa County? I'd LOVE to actually find one in the "City" of Napa. Driving here is fast paced, congested, and darn scary. I'm afraid I'm used to Montana's uncrowded country roads, lol.

Thanks Doctor,

Lora

[civickiller]

Different methods use different parameters to check progress. NUCCA upper cervical uses specific pre and post x-rays in the first treatments to evaluate changes. They also use an anatometer which checks the level of the shoulders and pelvis in upright posture as well as weight distribution between the left and right legs. They also check leg length which is important to most methods used by all chiropractors. Many upper cervical methods also use thermograms to monitor correction and to determine when to adjust. Thermograms check heat differentials along the spine. I had the two types of hand held NCMs which were the original types. The new digital ones are much better in my opinion.

I love knowing my upper cervical chiro knows what hes doing. exactly what doc said
1. check heat down my spine
2. check back muscle pull, left or right
3. check leg length
4. used 2 scales for weight distribution
5. used those little laser things at shoulders and waist for height
6. xrayed before procedure.

next question when i go see him how does he know if my atlas is off again?

[uprightdoc]

A question;
What is it about the adjustment (eg. activator) that creates the change in subluxations?
Can you tell me what is the goal for a chiro when using activator or other type of adjustment please. What is the process they are wanting to induce?

The activator is an impact hammer that produces force. It can be adjusted to deliver different amounts of force. I believe it was originally designed for dentists to assist in putting on caps. The objective of using the hammer is to restore function to the segments of the spine. Subluxated segments of the spine are misaligned and stuck. Chiropractors use many different types of physical force from quick and snappy to slow and sustained.

[uprightdoc]

Dr. Flanagan
16 years ago I began having numbness in the fingers of my left hand. Two years later it was getting worse and I also started having L'Hermitte sign. I thought it was probably due to a pinched nerve in the neck. But I was dxed with MS by a neurologist based on an MRI which showed white spots on the brain. Several years later another Neuro confirmed the ms dx based on a spinal tap which showed elevated level of igg antibodies in the spinal fluid.

I don't have relapses or remissions. Over the 14 years since the Dx, my condition has gradually deteriorated. I have severe drop foot and weakness in the left leg. I can only walk 100-200 yards without tripping. But with my othotic foot brace I can walk one mile. My right side is unaffected. I have some heat sensivity but not too bad. There is also occassional twitching of my left foot at night. Those are the only symptoms I have.
I don't have; fatigue, cog fog, MS hug, or any pains. There are no vision problems other than nearsightedness which is corrected by glasses, and has not changed for many years.

Before I retired I was an enginner so I spent most of my time behind a desk. I don't remember any specific injuries to the head or neck.

David,
Did anyone take plain view x-rays of your spine? Did you play sports in high school or college? What sort of engineering did you do? How tall are you and how much do you weigh?

[uprightdoc]

Different methods use different parameters to check progress. NUCCA upper cervical uses specific pre and post x-rays in the first treatments to evaluate changes. They also use an anatometer which checks the level of the shoulders and pelvis in upright posture as well as weight distribution between the left and right legs. They also check leg length which is important to most methods used by all chiropractors. Many upper cervical methods also use thermograms to monitor correction and to determine when to adjust. Thermograms check heat differentials along the spine. I had the two types of hand held NCMs which were the original types. The new digital ones are much better in my opinion.

I love knowing my upper cervical chiro knows what hes doing. exactly what doc said
1. check heat down my spine
2. check back muscle pull, left or right
3. check leg length
4. used 2 scales for weight distribution
5. used those little laser things at shoulders and waist for height
6. xrayed before procedure.

next question when i go see him how does he know if my atlas is off again?

In your case, the determination is based on leg length, thermogram differentials, weight shifts and posture analysis.

[uprightdoc]

Hello everyone,
In my last post I discussed racial differences in the incidence of MS and the higher incidence of MS in square head designs. My next post will cover round heads. In this regard I have been in contact with Sheila Sheckles of the sistamoonfoundation. Sheila is African-American. Her daughter developed Devic's disease shortly after a motor vehicle accident in which she was struck by a large pickup truck while driving a compact car.
http://www.sistamoonfoundationfordevics ... ETTER.html.

I am of the opinion that Devic's is just another form of MS. African-Americans and Asians have a much lower incidence of MS but they get a Devic's disease, which tends to be worse. Devic's disease is associated with optic neuritis and transverse myelitis but lacks lesions in the brain, and the lesions in the cord tend to be longer in size than MS and span several segments of the spine. To learn more about Devic's and Transverse Myelitis, please visit the above website as well as the website of the transverse myelitis association. http://www.myelitis.org/.

[TMrox]

Hi Dr Flanagan,

I have Transverse Myelitis, as a monophasic monofocal inflamatory demyelination of the spinal cord.

I've read your thread as I find it very interesting. I was treated for CCSVI in March 2010 just 14 months after my TM diagnosis. I went from being housebound to now almost fully recovered.

I saw your description of Devic's or also known as Neuromyelitis Optica. Since I have TM my neuros have been very rigorous in their testing to rule out NMO.

IMHO, The Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation has by far the most information and resources on NMO. It was founded by Victoria Jackson, a desperate mother trying to find a cure to her daughter's NMO.

Victoria has done an amazing job in putting together lots of researchers from all over the world to find a cure for NMO. She has donated millions from her own money to this task and is very open minded.

If you think that your work might help in any way NMO I would encourage you to contact Victoria directly.

The foundation website is:
http://www.guthyjacksonfoundation.org

here Victoria explains her journey with NMO:
http://www.guthyjacksonfoundation.org/m ... mission-2/

and in facebook:


Here some info on NMO taken from this foundation:

"In the past, NMO was considered to be a severe variant of multiple sclerosis (MS) because both can cause attacks of optic neuritis and myelitis. Recent discoveries, however, suggest it is a separate disease. NMO is different from MS in the severity of its attacks and its tendency to solely strike the optic nerves and spinal cord at the beginning of the disease. Symptoms outside of the optic nerves and spinal cord are rare, although certain symptoms, including uncontrollable vomiting and hiccups, are now recognized as relatively specific symptoms of NMO that are due to brainstem involvement.

The recent discovery of an antibody in the blood of individuals with NMO gives doctors a reliable biomarker to distinguish NMO from MS. The antibody, known as NMO-IgG, seems to be present in about 70 percent of those with NMO and is not found in people with MS or other similar conditions."

Thanks and keep up your good work,

Rox

[coach]

Dear Dr. Flanagan,
Haven't been on internet in a while but to do data entry for my husband. I am going for my first visit with a chiro on Friday. I guess that visit will involve x-rays and we will go from there. I did get some relief in some symptoms when I had stent in my azygous and LIJV but have still had to contend with balance and walking issues. Have had several falls in the last 2 years with the most recent being a fall down 6 stairs ( kind of head over heels fall) So I am thinking that I should be checked out. Just not encouraged with my lack of progress and have seemed to back up in some areas. I was encouraged to read about Blossom's and Poet's progress. I think the chiro I am seeing may be a general chiro if there is such a thing rather than an upper cervical chiro. Not knowing if I have problems and if I do where they are I'm wondering if you have any recommendations for an upper cervical chiro in either the Atlanta, Ga area or Macon, GA area. Atlanta is 3 hrs. away and Macon an hour and half away. I know this a little far south but if anyone would know you would. Also what tests would you recommend I ask for. My apologies Poet for ending a sentence with a preposition.

[David1949]

David,
Did anyone take plain view x-rays of your spine? Did you play sports in high school or college? What sort of engineering did you do? How tall are you and how much do you weigh?

Dr, Flannagan
No x-rays have been taken of my spine.
I did not play sports in high school or college.
I was an automotive design engineer.
I'm 5'-8" tall. During most of my adult life my weight was about 140#.
Since I'm now a retired geezer with MS I don't get much exercize, so I've grown a serious belly and my weight has grown to 165#.

PS UPS just delivered your book. I'll start reading it now.

[silverbirch]

Dear Dr Flanagan

An update for you Dr Heidi Central London is doing a fantastic job with my care

No pain on my right hand side
No pain ,disconfort in my neck
AND NO NECK CRACKING as you know my neck has cracked for 15 years (It use to sound like someone was popping bubble wrap)

My treatment was three xrays followed by adjustment (by hand)
and another appointment a gun like, hand held use gadget down my spine
My last visit no adjustment , I had held

My next appointment is Friday

A Twisted sister no more Thanks to Dr Heid