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The Structural Difference

Conventional Chiropractic

Conventional chiropractic focuses on manipulating the neck and spine in an effort to increase range of motion, decrease muscular spasms, and temporarily reduce pain.

Conventional chiropractic views the body as individual segments, determining where to apply the thrust based on where a bone feels like it is stuck.

There are many conventional chiropractors in Memphis and surrounding communities using traditional methods, and most of them are excellent at what they do, generally finding great results in pain and symptom relief.

 

Structural Chiropractic

At Foundational Chiropractic, we focus on the spine and body as ONE COMPLETE SYSTEM. We make bio-mechanically SPECIFIC adjustments that are based on measurements of YOUR spine, going beyond the simple right or left side adjustments taught to conventional chiropractors as a package of basic techniques.

This is because everyone's spine is UNIQUE. Spines that are shaped and move differently shouldn't be treated the same. Precision allows us to be much more gentle with adjustments to the neck and correct the PRIMARY CAUSE of the many SECONDARY CONDITIONS you may feel in different places in your body.

What is a Structural Shift?

At first, minor abnormal shifts of the spine are nothing to worry about. Nobody has 100% perfect alignment. However, no different than normal body temperature, normal weight, and normal blood pressure, there is a range of what's acceptable and what's unacceptable. The longer someone remains in abnormal, the more problems arise.

Atlas Displacement Complex

The only way to appreciate abnormal is to know normal. When it comes to normal, we're not expecting anyone to be perfect. However, if your Atlas, the first bone in your neck that balances the skull, has been shifted by 1/4 degree or more in reference to your skull, you may have an Atlas Displacement Complex. Your Atlas shifting is no different than your car being forced out of alignment, or the foundation of your house sinking on one side by just a couple inches.

Because the underlying structure has been shifted, this deviation of your atlas puts abnormal stress on your nervous system, affecting proper body function and causing compensatory shifting throughout the body. Traditional doctors typically look at managing SECONDARY CONDITIONS, that is "symptom management", rather than focusing on the underlying cause.

  • Atlas Displacement Complex Foundational Chiropractic
  • Anterior Head Syndrome Foundational Chiropractic

Secondary Conditions

What are Secondary Conditions? If your structural shifts are outside of what is considered normal, then you will experience one or more of what we refer to as SECONDARY CONDITIONS, or symptoms. Oftentimes, secondary conditions seem to suddenly appear, "Everything was fine, then my back randomly started hurting!" When in reality, the secondary condition is the result of years of stress and degeneration from the PRIMARY CONDITION of a structural shift.

Imagine playing a game of Jenga with friends or family. After several rounds of removing the underlying structure of the tower and stacking the problems on top, one unlucky person removes a block and the already unstable tower falls.

Full Body Approach

How does the Atlas Displacement Complex affect me? Think about your nervous system like the communication between your satellite dish and TV. If there is some kind of blockage that interferes with that signal, what would you expect to see on your television screen? Thinking along the same lines, what would happen if your atlas shifted and caused stress on your spinal cord? The nature of the Atlas Displacement Complex is to affect the entire skeletal frame and potentially any organ the brain controls.

Some Secondary Conditions from neurological stress can include:

  • High Blood Pressure
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia
  • Digestive Issues
  • Breathing Issues
  • Migraine Headache
  • Cervicogenic Headache
  • Back Pain
  • Cervicogenic Dizziness
  • Seizure Disorders
  • Vertigo/Dizziness
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • ADHD
  • Sleeping Issues

Many patients with secondary conditions like these and many others have found relief through a Structural Correction.

  • Structural Shift Foundational Chiropractic
  • Normal Structure Foundational Chiropractic

Indicators

Do I have an Atlas Displacement Complex? Again, the best way to recognize abnormal is to recognize normal. In normal structure, the left and right sides of the body are equal and balanced, while the head sits back on the shoulders, directly above the hips and ankles. Anything different is an indicator of a Structural Shift.

When standing, you may see:

  • One shoulder is higher than the other
  • One hip is higher than the other
  • There may be a twisting of the body
  • The body leans to one side, putting more weight on one foot than the other
  • Muscles are imbalanced
  • Movement is abnormal
  • Locking in some of the joints of the spine.

When laying down, you might see:

  • One leg is longer and one is shorter
  • Stretched overhead, one arm is longer and one is shorter.

Each of these secondary conditions are indicators of a Structural Shift and is unrelated to age or genetics. They are the result of trauma to the head or neck, typically occurring during the birthing process or clumsy learning phase of our toddler years. These accidents and injuries can affect the connective tissues that hold the Atlas and spine together, creating a structural weakness, allowing the spine to break down and lock into a stressed position. You can still move and get around but the stress is always present.

There is no risk in learning more!

If you or a loved one have some of these issues and want to learn about options to address them, including non-chiropractic alternatives, schedule a complimentary consultation. We take the time to listen and understand your issues, giving you the best information to help you make the right decision for YOUR health. We would love to hear from you.