CCSVI and CCVBP

[uprightdoc]

My case certainly has nothing to do with my jugulars. It has to do with injuries to the spine. You have lesions. I don't know whether I do or don't but I do have MRIs and x-rays of all my musculoskeletal injuries. Your neck is forward in a position of flexion. You had a rugby injury as I recall that strained your neck and you have lesions in your cervical spine. They are probably connected. The other musculoskeletal problems in your shoulders and low back are probably related to your former occupations. Except for some dings and dents your spine is actually in pretty good shape but because of neck flexion you are straining the cord, putting pressure on the brainstem and most likely compressing the vertebral basilar arteries. To make matters worse you have low blood pressure. It all adds up until the body reaches a breaking point.

[NZer1]

Thanks Dr. I have a sooo much better understanding of things and a plan in my mind of getting help with the neck stuff from the Chiropractor in Auckland, teacher at the College of Chiropractic and followed you at Sherman, is where I am focused on going, I have a lead through Dr K whereby there is a contact he has at the small college, that may give some closer options for me. The plan is forming, so the steps are as well. Naturally I want to have the best, the best shot and the financials are falling into place, in ways I could not have ever imagined or planned.It may not have been as 'easy' as a couple of weeks ago, and the are answers to ever problem if you change you point of view. Life is good.
The jugular stuff to me seemed not quite it. Something that was out/ beyond of my control or cause and a long shot at fixing the essence of the issues. To me it seems that jugular 'repair' is in some way a bandage fix, it doesn't confront the issue at cause level.
Does that make sense?
Nigel

[uprightdoc]

Yes it does make sense. If you can get to the college the doctors or students may treat you for free or a very modest fee. You might also get some young doctors interested in upper cervical. I can't guaruntee it, but I think if they could get your head and neck more closely aligned to where it should be over you shoulders, it would take a lot of stress off the system.

[NZer1]

Thanks Dr.
Nigel

[newlywed4ever]

Hello newlywebforever,
I don't know of anyone in your neck of the woods in Michigan but one of the best in the upper cervical business is a NUCCA chiropractor. His name is Dr. Keith Denton and his office is in Monroe. He was trained personally by Dr. Ralph Gregory, the founder of NUCCA. Consequently, Michigan is the epicenter of NUCCA. There are quite a few NUCCA chiropractors in Michigan. I would call Dr. Denton and see if he knows someone closer to you. His phone number is 734-241-6923.

Thank you, Dr!! I did call Dr Denton's office; unfortunately, the closest NUCCA doc is 3 hours away in Wisconsin. I might pursue once winter/bad roads are over. In the meantime, I'll keep educating myself here

[coach]

Dr. Flanagan,
Sorry to hear about your health problems. Sending well wishes your way.
There are many here that have benefited from your experience and insight. We send our thanks as well as the well wishes.

[uprightdoc]

Thanks coach. Actually I just got back from a brisk 5 mile walk with my wife up and down some pretty good hills. Along the way we passed some of our beautiful white beaches.
Last summer I had trouble walking a mile.

[uprightdoc]

Poet and Cece,
Thanks for the promotional piece from Dr. Driscoll. She is a wonderful person and a fascinating case. I will be covering EDS and MS on my next post. It underscores the role of morphology (structure and design) in the cause of MS and other neurodegenerative conditions.

[blossom]

dr. flanagan, i hate to hear you have had these health problems. but, i am very happy to hear you are managing them so well with the help of your wife.

your yrs. of research, your yrs. of practice and even down to getting a health issue that you are managing so well because of your knowledge and you show so much compassion for all of us. you are such an inspiration to all of us. thank you again.

[uprightdoc]

Thanks Blossom. It's good sometimes for doctors to experience what patients go through. My decision to go pursue a chiropratic career started after a serious injury in which I herniated the L5/S1 disc in the low back. Needless to say I apperciated what patients go through and learned to fix herniated discs very quickly.

I will be running a section on my website for patients to discuss their history of trauma. I will take some of the cases from the wordpress blog to get it started. The following case for example is from a female who commented on my wordpressblog. Her problems started after a bicycle accident.

"... I have read everything including anecdotal stories that has given me a strong aha moment in regard to head, spine injuries.
Age 9/10 i had a bicycle accident where i flew over handlebars for about 3-4 ft into the sidewalk facefirst. i lost conciousness and came too with temporary amnesia; i passed out again and i came to in my grandmothers kitchen with an icepack on my face. No hospital visit was made.
Age 17-21 (1977-1981); episodes of leg weakness, double vision and after pregnancy i deteriorated to almost complete body weakness with limbs, including neck, back collapse due to extreme muscle weakness, couldn't chew or swallow, etc... Diagnosed at age 21 by my son's neurologist with myasthenia gravis and was treated with mestinon and a thymectomy. 3 years later back to normal. MG in remission.

1996 i had numbness in the bottom of my feet that moved up the legs to waist with weaness. Took 6 months off work and recovered.

2001 i developed pars planitis and was treated with prednisone which eventually caused bout with optic neuritis and almost full paralysis which lasted for 3 months until ms diagnosis which showed lesions in brain and spinal cord.
2004 i left work as my ms fatigue, vertigo, dizziness, throat weakness causing aspiration pneumonia and am now on LTD. I have continued to deteriorate and my left leg is very weak and spastic; both arms and hands weak and bouts with jerky tremors frequent. Also severe migraines increasing as well as 2 ruptured disks (c5) and also lower back but i can't remember which disc."

I have many other cases that have contacted me as well. I have also had plenty of bicycle accidents myself. Looking back I think that's how my other symptoms got started. Bicycle accidents can cause serious trauma to the spine.

[NZer1]

More commonality for you Dr.
I have an Uncle on Fathers side who as a child ran into a clothes line at speed and it 'got' him at neck height. He developed problems over time which eventually were given an MS dx in later life. He began loosing leg ability in late 30s and has been wheelchair bound since mid 40's. He always has believed that the injury to his neck as a child is the cause of his disability.
He is a very intelligent man and now in his 80's. His posture or should I say neck movement has always amazed me, he can sit happily in his chair and his head/chin is resting on his chest, he even 'nods' off like this. In my mind I could never imagine being able to do this, although over time I imagine the body stretches with continual posturing.
The other amazing thing is how his body has never withered with the disease. If he was able to stand he would be a well formed tall man. The disease has positioned him more in a fetal position for decades.
Interesting that late yesterday I positioned my computer screen higher to require me to look up at the screen rather than be in a poor posture as I spend more time in front of my friend.
Another stunning morning sun rise through clouds that have colored the sky.
Regards Nigel
I believe that the hereditary theory is mostly a statistical confusion which is common in medicine, and possibly why they have not located a gene at this stage, only finding genes that could be involved because of the process the disease travels and involves the genetic activity from the 'healing' attempts and mechanisms enlisted/activated for healing of injury and also genetic connection to the malformations found in the vascularture.

[NZer1]

Dr is it possible that many, if not most autoimmune diseases are originating from vascularture?
My mother had diabetes, her view on that based on Louise Hays' book 'You can heal your Life' was that she did not have sweetness in her life and managed her disease very well after some major life and relationship awareness. I have always thought that there needed to be a physical manifestation for some of the commonality of the physical body in families that chose the same life experiences as their parents.
That commonality in my mind could be the malformations in the brain drainage system and then the processes of aging, diet, psychical trauma, and other life stresses that decrease drainage capability from the brain. The drainage already having structural challenges at birth would require a tipping effect from the persons life choices, a way of decreasing the drainage flow further from unconscious choices and aging in general. The onset of the 'disease' would possibly be relative to the life challenges dictating onset of 'symptoms/expressions'.
The drainage problems would effect the CNS and nerve tracks and give a physical expression of 'disease' within the body and mind.
This makes makes sense to me from the reading and personal awareness courses and also the interest I have in improving my 'wellness' and 'quality of life.'
Your thoughts Dr.?
I seem to start the day with these thoughts lately!
Trip to the dentist at lunch time to repair a broken tooth and then I can get my teeth into more of life and nourishment for the soul.
Regards Nigel

[NZer1]

Had an idle moment and was swatting up on past posts from Dr. F
One that I can align with is misalignment from injury and whiplash.
"With the above racial skull design differences in mind, let's consider a hypothetical example of a European, Asian and African-American traveling together in a car that gets into a serious motor vehicle accident. All of them get whiplash strains and sprains to their cervical spine. They all experience a change of vision and weakness in the legs. Brain scans show small white spots in the brain of the European and long white spots in the cervical cord of the Asian and African-American. In this case the European passenger is diagnosed with MS. The Asian passenger is diagnosed with Optic Spinal Multiple Sclerosis, and the African-American passenger with Devic's disease. In all three cases, it will be blamed on an immunological problem. When in fact, it is simply a different response to the same traumatic cause.

During whiplash the skull and cervical spine are thrust back and forth, along with the brain inside the cranial vault and eye socket. Racial design differences in the skull determine the response to the displacement of the fluids and tissues of the brain and cord inside the cranial vault and eye socket. It may, therefore, explain the difference in incidence of MS in different races. Interestingly, the incidence of MS in Chinese people appears to be rising as more of them drive cars."
"People living in northern climates are exposed to far more winter related whiplash type traumas than people living in southern climates. Motor vehicle accidents and winter sports and activities such as hockey, skiing and snow mobiling significantly increase the risk and the forces involved in trauma.
When it comes to MS and trauma, however, it's not so much the size of the skull that matters as it is how it stacks up on the cervical spine. Moreover, it is also how the brain stacks up over the large hole in the base of the skull, the foramen magnum. Getting back to race and skull designs, brachycephalic Asian and African designs, as well as skulls with short lengths in their base are more balanced on top of the cervical spine. On the other hand, they stack more of the brainstem over the foramen magnum. This predisposes the brainstem and cerebellum to being pushed, pulled or to sink down into the foramen in a Chiari malformation and or pressure conus type condition."
"Chiari malformations used to be considered a childhood problem for the most part and considered to be a herniation of the brainstem into the foramen magnum thus compressing it. More recent research suggests that the definition should be changed to include any decrease in (CSF) volume which causes the brain to sink and come in contact with the bones of the cranial vault. With this in mind, studies now show that trauma can cause Chiari malformations in adults. What's more, Chiari malformations have also been associated with multiple sclerosis and chronic fatigue syndrome."
"The shape of the skull affects the pitch and layout of its base and the venous drainage system of the brain. The length and width of the base of the skull affects the position of the brain within the cranial vault. Herein lies the crux of the potential impact of race on multiple sclerosis due to skull design.
A short length in the base from the front to the back of the cranial vault, predisposes the brain to crowding and a condition called Chiari malformation in which the cerebellum or brainstem gets pushed down into the foramen magnum. Chiari malformations can block both venous blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathways causing CCSVI and hydrocephalus type conditions."
"Interestingly, northern Europeans have a much higher incidence of multiple sclerosis than Asians. On the other hand Asians get a variant form of MS called Optic Spinal Multiple Sclerosis. In addition, African-Americans also have a low incidence of multiple sclerosis but likewise, get a particularly aggressive form of what some consider to be a variant of multiple sclerosis, called Devic's disease. Optic Spinal Multiple Sclerosis and Devic's Disease are identical. Both are associated with optic neuritis and transverse myelitis which are discussed separately on this website. The difference may be due to the distribution of weight and, therefore, the center of gravity over the cervical spine. The European design is the least balanced."
From;http://www.upright-health.com/race.html
And;
"As the brainstem sinks toward the foramen magnum it pulls other parts of the brain down along with it toward the base of the skull. This raises the risk of similar compression of cranial nerves within the openings of the base of the skull, especially the larger openings. The nerves and blood vessels that pass through these openings can thus suffer a similar fate to the brainstem and its circulatory routes in a Chiari malformation; that is, the cranial nerves and blood vessles can get squeezed into the openings in the base of the skull and get compressed. One of the most vulnerable of the cranial nerves in this regard, appears to be the optic nerve."
"the optic nerve is an outgrowth of the hypothalamus of the brain and is wrapped in the meninges of the brain. In fact, the white part of the visible part of the eye, called the sclera, is actually part of the dura mater, or outer coat of the brain. Lastly, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flows through perivascular spaces of the optic nerve the same as it does in the perivascular spaces of the brain."
INTERESTING CONNECTION TO THE HYPOTHALAMUS WHICH HAS BEEN NOTED TO BE INVOLVED WITH VASCULAR INSUFFICIENCY AT BNAC.
"The optic nerve fibers terminate in the lateral geniculate body of the thalamus and the superior colliculus of the midbrain."
AGAIN THE THALAMUS WHICH HAS BEE ASSOCIATED WITH VASCULAR INSUFFICIENCY AT BNAC.
"The second type of optic neuropathy is ischemic neuropathy. Ischemic neuropathy occurs when blood flow to the nerve is reduced to the point that it causes irritation and damage to the nerve. There are several key types. Two types in particular are anterior ischemic optic neuritis and posterior ischemic optic neuritis depending on whether the problem originates inside or outside the cranial vault. In either case they have similar consequences, which is loss of or impaired vision."
"In violent head trauma and whiplash injuries, the brain bounces around inside the cranial vault, which can cause bruises that show up on the opposite side of the trauma. Technically, it is called a contrecoup injury. Cerebrospinal fluid also goes through acceleration and deceleration. Lastly, according to Dr. Franz Schelling venous blood from the body, back jets into the brain. All these forces can be destructive to brain tissues.

Furthermore, whiplash injuries generate tension and compression forces that can cause the brain to herniate into structures in the brain and in the skull. In particular, whiplash injuries have been shown to cause Chiari malformations where the brainstem, herniates, that is, gets pulled by tensile forces into the foramen magnum. Likewise, the optic nerve gets tugged by tensile forces that cause it to get pulled back and forth within the optic canal along with the displacement of the brain inside the cranial vault. Thus tensile forces may similarly cause it to become lodged or injured inside the canal similar to a Chiari malformation. Compression of the optic nerve into the optic canal could result in optic neuritis.

Additionally, structural problems such as genetic design issues can lead to undersized spaces and openings in the base of the skull called hypoplasia, which may affect the dimensions of the optic canal. Furthermore, misalignments of the upper cervical spine, exaggerated head tilts and scoliosis of the spine can displace the brain within the cranial vault and increase pressure on the optic nerve and opthalmic artery in the optic canal.

Lastly, the brain is kept floating above the base of the skull and its openings by CSF, which is mostly water, contained in cisterns strategically placed for protection. The chiasmatic cistern is one of the highest cisterns. Its sits beneath the optic nerve and provides protection from the hard bones of the base of the skull.

When CSF volume in the brain decreases, the brain sinks in the cranial vault. Among other things, when the brain sinks in the vault it can compress the brainstem and cranial nerves.

Due to its frequent association with MS and other similar conditions, it appears that one of the most vulnerable cranial nerves is the optic nerve, as well as the opthalmic artery that travels with it through the optic canal. In certain cases, shifts in the position of the brain may be the cause of compressive optic neuritis."
From; http://www.upright-health.com/optic-neuritis.html
And;
"The cause of demyelination in multiple sclerosis is still believed to be an internal agent, such as an overactive immune system, an inflammatory reaction, or an attack from an external foreign agent, such as a virus or toxin.

However, according to Dr. Franz Schelling, an Austrian physician and an expert on the subject of multiple sclerosis, there has been very little evidence in the way of white blood cells, such as immunocytes, lymphocytic infiltrations or scavenger cells associated with multiple sclerosis to support the immunological or inflammatory theories. This includes sources from environmental triggers, dietary or other causes. Some researchers believe that when immunological and inflammatory evidence is found, it is more likely to be a reaction to the disease process rather than the cause of it. Dr. Schelling is also known for his theory on backjets.

While demyelination is still considered to be the hallmark of multiple sclerosis, recent research shows that contrary to long held beliefs, it may not be the primary problem. As was stated above, it has been shown that the portion of the nerve inside the myelin sheath, called the axon, may start to breakdown well before the myelin does. In addition, studies have connected demyelination to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases implying that it is part of the general neurodegenerative process rather than the cause. Lastly, viruses tend to attack tissues and cause them to breakdown from the outside in. The nerves in MS, on the other hand, tend to breakdown from the inside out."
From; http://www.upright-health.com/multiple-sclerosis.html
And;
"It is easy to see how violent venous back jets can be a source of destruction for delicate nerves located near the largest dural sinuses. Reflux can stretch and compress tissues in the brain, possibly to the breaking point. In fact, some researchers have suggested that even edema, that is swelling, can be sufficient to damage nerves due to over stretching them.
Cardiorespiratory waves as a source of venous reflux and nerve damage is a bit more of a stretch for me to accept even if the patient does have incompetant valves. Early on in my research I looked into bats, giraffes and whales because of the extreme inversion flows the brain contends with during head inversion and deep dives. My investigation led me to conclude that these mammals have developed compensatory mechanisms to deal with normal, albeit extreme, inversion flows. If extreme back pressure was the cause then competition weight lifters, trumpet players, gymnasts, yoga masters and jet pilots would most likely have a higher incidence of multiple sclerosis.


Venous back jets like chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) also fails to explain the gender, racial and geographical distribution differences in the incidence of MS. Nonetheless,venous back jets make the most sense when it comes to the likely role of trauma, especially whiplash type trauma, in the cause of MS lesions.

In contrast to venous back jets, my theory as to the destruction of nerves and myelin suggests that chronic craniocervical venous back pressure may be the problem. Furthermore, chronic craniocervical hypertension can decrease CSF pulsatility causing it to accumulate in the brain. It also proposes an explanation for the gender, racial and geographical distribution differences in the incidence of MS. For further information see the section on chronic craniocervical venous back pressure (CCVBP)."
From; http://www.upright-health.com/backjets.html
And to see the finale go to;
http://uprightdoctor.wordpress.com/2010 ... -or-ccvbp/
"Chiari Conditions, CCSVI and Nerve Compression

Chiari conditions can compress these and other cranial nerves just like the optic nerve mentioned above. Among other things, compression of the hypoglossal nerve can cause slurred speach. Compression of the vagus nerve can cause nausea, vomiting and feelings of fainting. Higher up in the cranial vault, compression of the optic nerve causes pain and blindness. Among other things, nerves do not like compression. Picture hitting your not so “funny” elbow bone and recall what that feels like. It’s like pressing on your eyeball or pinching your skin. It hurts. Nerves are meant to be highly sensitive. It’s there job to be sensitive. That’s why the brain is surrounded by water to protect it from compression against the hard walls of the cranial vault, as well as from itself."
"Because of this close arrangement it only takes microplastic, miniscule misalignment type strains to cause compression of the soft tissues surrounding the openings in the base of the skull and subsequent back pressure against their veins that can have a major impact on fluid mechanics in the brain."
"Back pressure against the veins of the brain near the base of the skull can cause venous congestion called edema inside the brain. It can also decrease the passive CSF production pressure gradient used during upright posture for brain support."
"After you understand the arrangement of these arteries and veins it will be easy to see how small misalignments in the upper cervical spine can have a major impact on the health of the brain. They can also affect the spinal cord, but we aren’t even close to covering issues related to the cord at this juncture. The brain is complicated enough for now."
Thanks Dr.

[David1949]

In January I got a herniated disc in the back. It caused a lot of pain and weakness in my left leg. It took a month of physical therapy, which included traction, to get me back to near normal.

If my MS problems are due to a dislocation in the neck can traction be done there? Might that help my MS problems?

[blossom]

dr. flanagan, i'd like your thoughts on rsd. i had read somewhere where upper cervical was helping someone with rsd

reason i'm asking is at first rsd was named in my case, then clev. clinic said no way-and the beat goes on. an awful lot of rsd symptoms are the same as ms as it's called. definitly rsd screws with your blood flow. could account for the ice blue swollen feet and pain. temp. changes. that some have. rsd can be triggered by a very small trauma or a biggie.

there is no cure for it either-but i can't help but wonder. trauma i am convinced caused whatever the heck they want to call it i have. a lot of people have had traumas and onset ms-some connecting it and some not. same with rsd. makes a person wonder if there aren't many so called auto immune diseases that trauma triggered-and if caught and treated properly by the right chiro. would have gotten better.

i know i'm off the beaten path here of ccsvi and ms--but am i really?