Roger Clifford, D.C., D.A.C.N.B.

Pathoanatomy and Management Options Understanding the Upper Cervical Spine        The strict definition of migraine headache is (8):The headache must last 4 to 72 hours.The headache must be associated with nausea and/or vomiting, or photophobia, and/or phonophobia.The headache must be characterized by 2 of the following 4 symptoms:unilateral locationthrobbing pulsatile qualitymoderate or worse degree of severityintensified by routine physical [..]

The nervous system can be categorized in many different ways. In understanding nervous system physiology, a simple but accurate way of categorization is to view the nervous system as two separate but integrated systems:The MOTOR nerve systemThe SENSORY nerve systemThe MOTOR nerve system is the nerves that move our muscles (motor), and also control the function of our visceral organs (like [..]

The NumbersLow back pain is one of the most thoroughly investigated health problems worldwide, yet both prevention and effective treatment are elusive and controversial. The National Library of Medicine of the United States displays nearly 25,000 articles when the key words “low back pain” are used (May 2014).Suffering with low back pain is almost a [..]

This month we take a close look at manipulation of the joints of the lumbar spine and the relationship to Lumbar disc protrusion.  Often lumbar manipulation involves some degree of rotation. Lumbar spine manipulations that are primarily rotational in nature are often discouraged as it is assumed that such maneuvers are associated with an increased [..]

Humans evolved outdoors, in the sunshine. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation produces a hormone known as “vitamin D”. Vitamin D is critical for human health. The nucleus of all of our cells have vitamin D receptors. There is evidence that vitamin D influences the expression of about 10% of human genes.With very rare exceptions, humans [..]

In 1982, Richard Rothman, MD, PhD and Frederick Simeone, MD, published the second edition of their book The Spine (1). Chapter 2 of the book is titled (2): “Applied Anatomy of the Spine” Anatomist Wesley Parke, PhD, writes this chapter, stating: “Although the 23 or 24 individual motor segments must be considered in relation to [..]

The Potential Viability of Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids as an Anti-Inflammatory AgentWe are going to deviate from the mechanical discussions of joint pain treatment. Usual topics such as physiotherapy, stretching, manipulation, etc… and instead we're going to discuss what looks to be a remarkably inexpensive yet potentially valuable tool in combating joint pain and inflammation.Far removed [..]

The most common cause of cervical nerve root compression (compressive neuropathology) is degenerative joint disease with stenosis and narrowing of the intervertebral foramen narrowing. The second most common cause is cervical disc herniation (1).Cervical disc herniations with compressive neuropathology are commonly seen in asymptomatic populations (2, 3, 4). In a study published in 1996, 63% [..]

The birth of chiropractic as a profession occurred in the year 1895 when Daniel David Palmer (1845-1913) adjusted the spine of a deaf man, William Harvey Lillard. Daniel David Palmer established the Palmer School in Davenport, Iowa, in 1896.Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen was a German physicist (1845-1923). In 1895, at age 50, he produced and detected x-rays (Rontgen rays). [..]

Do 90% of Patients with an Acute Episode of Low Back Pain Resolve within 2 Months, with or without Treatment?This month we are going to discuss the commonly held clinical thought and apparently well documented fact that 90% of all acute low back pain episodes ultimately self-resolve within a 60 day period.It would appear that [..]