The 1st chiropractic adjustment

This post started as a comment on another blog, The Atlas of Life.
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing & researching. Let me know what you think!

Interesting article, Dr. Harshe. I appreciate your remarks about the 1st chiropractic adjustment by D.D. Palmer. It is fun to think/debate about whether it was “4th Dorsal” (or even the 1st Dorsal/Thoracic as one account suggests) or if it really was 2nd Cervical as B.J. contended. Here is another related article from the Chiropractic Journal.

And for those wanting more background info. on Harvey Lillard and the Green Books of Chiropractic, check out this page from upcspine.com

Since our current knowledge of neuroanatomy clearly identifies distinct connections of most C-spine nerves, and even some upper Thoracic nerves, traveling upward into the superior cervical ganglion in the upper neck, it makes perfect sense for the Palmers to observe this in a clinical setting. There is a link, regardless of spinal level.

>>Let me submit my 2 cents worth in support of Axis being the real segment involved:

1–There is an obvious and direct link between upper cervical dysfunction and distortion of the upper spinal cord. Brain stem pressure can result from an Axis misalignment. We know that Atlas (C1) or Axis (C2) misalignments can cause dentate ligament stretching and dura mater tension affecting the function of the delicate structures in the upper neck. The whole head and body can be directly impacted by decreased nerve function in such a vital area. Recent phase contrast upright MRI studies are suggesting even more theories about structural misalignment in the upper C-spine causing canal stenosis, cerebellar tonsils being pulled in the foramen magnum, and decreased venous flow out of the head.

2–A Thoracic adjustment certainly has real influence on the neural structures in the head and neck, but T1 through T4′s limited range of motion provides NO direct impact on the tension of the spinal cord as we find in the upper cervical spine. Of course there is valid input into the sympathetic nerve system when any part of the spine is manipulated, but we must not confuse these secondary influences from the sympathetic chain and peripheral nerves with the potentially more destructive results of direct pressure/contortion of the spinal cord in the upper neck.

It has been noted that D.D. said he “racked the vertebra back into place using the spinous process as a lever.” He claimed this thrust was intentional and specific. His reasons for saying it was in the upper back and not in the neck are plausible for several reasons:
1) because of his fear or greed or desire for secrecy;
2) Or he was still developing the concepts and trying to understand why brain-to-body nerve connection was so important;
3) Another idea is that he didn’t want people to know he was working in the upper neck because of the prevalence of ignorance and fear, not unlike today.
Although society in the late 19th century was open to many new ideas, it was already starting to show biased favor and legal support for the medical model. Even Osteopathy was scorned and attacked for many years until they moderated (and even abandoned) their founder’s original ideas and joined up with the mainstream medical philosophy of the AMA. Check out this link for some of the more holistic and vitalistic foundations of Osteopathic “medicine.”

I would like to suggest that Robert’s idea (1st comment on the original post) about a link to Andrew T. Still is a very interesting footnote from history, but not germane to the discussion.
D.D. and B.J. Palmer were developing a completely NEW science and art of chiropractic based on their radical hypothesis that an Innate Life Energy controls every function of the body using the brain and nerve system to communicate and coordinate all the functions of our cells and organs. (History still hasn’t given them their justly deserved credit for pushing the ground breaking concepts of vitalism, metaphysical influences on health and life, and the role of the central nervous system…even though every single anatomy and physiology text confirms the Palmer’s early teachings about the CNS being the conduit for life).

Back to the point of what we observe in the 1st adjustment: part of the spine had lost its normal range of motion which impairs/disrupts nerve communication between brain and body. Less life function (deafness) was the result. Then the chiropractor unlocks or adjusts the spine, restoring neurological connections to all their end organs (through both the superior cervical nerve network and the cranial nerves of the brain stem), and communication and function returns.

We restore balance between the parasympathetic and sympathetic systems when we improve the function of the upper cervical spine.
Once Harvey Lillard’s neural impulses were flowing freely again, the result was improved function of cranial nerve VIII and better blood flow to the head and inner ear…and like magic he could hear again! As the case study link above shows, it still happens today. We see a vast of array of systems becoming well.

For more info on this topic read http://genesis-chiropractic.com/1st-chiropractic-adjustment-vs-osteopathy.html

We simply restore what was missing so life function and health can return…and you can be your best!

1. The 1st chiropractic adjustment- Genesis Chiropractic | Cervical Spinal Stenosis Surgery says:

   July 26, 2010 at 1:34 pm

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2. Dr. Brandon Harshe says:

   July 28, 2010 at 3:53 pm

   This was a great comment on The Atlas of Life and it is a great post now! Great explanation Dr. Blackketter!

   Reply
3. 1st chiropractic adjustment vs. osteopathy- Genesis Chiropractic says:

   July 29, 2010 at 10:47 am

   [...] Brandon and Robert and Steve, Great discussion on the Atlas of Life! Although Dr. Agocs has already taken issue with the 1st post’s idea of DD Palmer and AT Still meeting, I think a few points of further clarification may help…in addition to what I’ve already written: http://genesis-chiropractic.com/the-1st-chiropractic-adjustment.html [...]

   Reply
4. What does $18.95 get you? A (brief) History of 1895 and your Life- Genesis Chiropractic says:

   September 22, 2010 at 5:36 pm

   [...] after C2 (Axis) was adjusted and the connection/communication between his brain and body returned (Click for more info. about the 1st chiropractic adjustment or check out another brief history of chiropractic with pictures and facts). Chiropractic (and its [...]

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   September 28, 2010 at 6:43 pm

   [...] celebrating 115 years of better lives with the “Birthday of Chiropractic” this year! Saturday 18, 1895 was the 1st chiropractic adjustment. Call and ask about our 1895 specials…479.696.8000 Even though it is 2010 (and 2011 is coming [...]

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6. Latest Chiropractic Adjustment news – The 1st chiropractic adjustment says:

   September 28, 2010 at 7:52 pm

   [...] The 1st chiropractic adjustment [...]

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   • Jason Blackketter says:

     September 29, 2010 at 5:27 pm

     Thanks for your remarks. Can you weigh in on this issue with your thots?
     Dr. Blackketter

     Reply