Greetings Friend,

How do we take something that’s known and place it in the center of our consciousness and culture? I’m taking about optimal health, alignment, balance, strength, flexibility, performance and potential. As we move through the first few weeks of January, I found myself contemplating our current health consciousness which is in a state of crises. I couldn’t help but think we could be doing things better and more efficiently.

Unless we are in some kind of mystical state, our focus or consciousness isn’t strongly attached to our core or our health consciousness. Pain or illness does an amazing job at getting us mystical and reconnected to our core. When your back “goes out on you” and sends you to the floor due to physical, emotional, or chemical stress, you’ll do whatever it takes to stand up. And once you stand up….take a stand and make yourself stronger than ever before so you minimize the chance of buckling again so you can perform at your best.

A mystical shift occurs as you move toward strengthening and connecting to your core. When you visualize the “best version of you,” a trajectory is formed to help you see where you are and where you need to go.

You may be asking yourself, “What are the steps that form this trajectory from where I am to where I desire to go?” Innately you have the answer. Normally it comes during random periods. For me it happens after a chiropractic adjustment, a yoga class, during or after mediation, or during a quiet moment while walking on the beach. You’ll sense a spark or a “hit” of that something special. The key is to act upon “that hit.” That’s how you progress along the trajectory of health.

When you get the “hit,” step back and ask yourself why you aren’t expressing yourself maximally. Look at the 3 T’s: Past and current TRAUMAS, TOXINS, and negative THOUGHTS. Examine your habits. Visualize yourself in a misaligned state and then in an aligned state. The aligned state is the “gold standard” at the end of your trajectory. This is such a deep spiritual practice that will help propel you toward achieving your health and life goals.

Most of us have a spiritual resistance to bad habits. Most of us know that eating chicken nuggets from a restaurant at the airport will probably make us sicker than healthier. When the urge to break one of the commandments of health rises, STOP, DROP, & ROLL. Or maybe take a breath and do 10 funky chicken movements with your neck. Resist the urge to do something that will move you toward your “aluminum standard” instead of the “gold standard.”

Your journey to wellness doesn’t have to be a struggle. You don’t have to be a Spartan Warrior or monk from the Himalayas. It can be fun as well as transforming. All you require is a vivid visualization of who you want to be and the will power and courage to get there. Good luck!

Chiropractically Yours,

Dr. Jeremy Brook

Chiropractic is a philosophy science, and art. The philosophy of vitalism. The science of the laws of the universe. The art of a specific scientific chiropractic adjustment. This video represents the “artistic” component of the The Life Center Chiropractic.

Greetings Friend,

Let’s get right to it….People want health. But health requires discipline. One of the main problems with our current health consciousness and health care system is that the majority of people take short cuts because they don’t want to do the work. Health takes effort and is a byproduct of being aligned with nature and all of its known and undiscovered laws.

Here’s the deal….come close….Health has been miserably taught and practiced for decades. People want it but have difficulty applying its simple principles because they don’t know where to begin. They are confused how to feed their bodies and minds.

We need to rehabilitate our heath care tradition to improve the transmission of life energy through our bodies and to the next generation. You see …the process of achieving and maintaining health can be transformational. To transcend we require alignment on all levels…physical, emotional, mental, social, financial, sexual, and psychic. Optimal alignment takes energy, discipline, and will power. With optimal alignment our bodies can adapt normally and efficiently to the flow of life around us.

The Life Center Chiropractic has a vision of health & wellness… and we stick close to it. We even have a manifesto to support our philosophy, science, and artistic expression.

Now if you are currently being served at our office…Thank you for allowing us to serve you! If you aren’t currently under chiropractic care and are interested in getting your spine checked, aligned and moving with grace and ease…give us call. We’d love to be your chiropractic home!

So until we see you in person… have a spectacular day!

Chiropractically Yours,

Dr. Jeremy Brook

P.S. Enjoy this music clip from Rage Against the Machine called Take the Power Back. If this doesn’t fire you up, it’s because of one of two things….#1. You hate hard rock or # 2. You hate hard rock. It fires me up….so I hope you get inspired by the song’s the raw energy! Be warned …. there are a couple bad words sprinkled throughout the song.

Some of the most rewarding moments I’ve had in practice have occurred while taking care of children and especially newborns. I gotta tell you, the birth process is intense! The journey of the new baby  from a luxurious five star uterus into a stressful gravity based word places a tremendous and amazing toll on its spine. Especially at the top part of the neck where the brain and spinal cord come together.

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that this area is supremely important in growth and development. That’s why it is essential to make sure your baby is “clear of interference” at this level for proper communication between the brain and body. If there is a subluxation at this level, LIFE cannot flow freely.

That’s why I’ve included a research  article from one of my pediatric instructions, Dr. Peter Fysh. I expect you will see the value of chiropractic care for your kids!

P.S.

That’s my little baby niece, Phoebe,  getting her atlas, the  upper most bone in the spine,  adjusted!

Suboccipital Strain in Newborns

By Peter Fysh, DC
The upper cervical spine and atlanto-occipital junction have been identified in previous studies as being the cause of a diversity of clinical findings affecting the newborn infant. This month we review a study by Biedermann in which suboccipital strain is identified as causing a variety of signs and symptoms in a group of 114 young infants.

The study, published in the Journal of Manual Medicine, not only identifies the signs and symptoms of the suboccipital strain syndrome, but also highlights the effectiveness of spinal adjustments in correcting the problem.1

Kinematic imbalances due to suboccipital strain, otherwise known as KISS syndrome, identifies the pathogenic potential of the craniovertebral junction to produce a constellation of clinical findings. From a group of 600 children, 114 were chosen for treatment and follow-up study. Their symptoms included restricted motion of the cervical spine, torticollis, cervical scoliosis, facial scoliosis, asymmetric muscle tone, retarded development of the hip joints, opisthotonos (retraction of the head and arching of the back, with infant unable to hold the head erect), deformities of the feet, restless sleep, and not eating or drinking well.

The most common findings were those of torticollis (head tilted to one side), scoliosis (sideways curve of the cervical spine), asymmetric muscle development, slow development of the hip joints and asymmetrical or slow development of motor skills.

The most common factors causing suboccipital strain were identified in the study as including intrauterine malposition of the fetus, the use of forceps or vacuum extraction during the birth process, prolonged labor and multiple fetuses (twins, triplets, etc.). The incidence of these risk factors in affected infants varied significantly from the established normal birth statistics.

According to the authors of this study, the pathogenic importance of asymmetric posture in infants and young children is often disregarded, with the condition either being dismissed as unimportant or not recognized at all.

All of the subjects in the study were treated by adjustments to either the atlanto-occipital or the atlanto-axial joints. According to the author, treating disturbances of the suboccipital joints and the cervical spine simplifies and shortens the course of the infant’s problems, and significantly reduces the need for lengthy programs of physiotherapy. Furthermore, the indication for spinal manipulation in infants depends on first recognizing the clinical symptoms and then fitting them with the physical and radiological findings.

The researchers in this study relied on x-ray findings to accurately evaluate the alignment of the atlanto-axial and atlanto-occipital joints. The radiological evaluation was used to help in identifying spinal malformations and as an aid in determining the most appropriate direction of manipulation.

KISS syndrome was defined primarily because of the inability to consistently identify fixations, or “blockages” in the atlanto-occipital region, as had been previously described by Gutmann in the 1960s. In many cases, KISS syndrome can be dealt with effectively by correcting the alignment and restoring lost movement to spinal vertebrae.

Several case reports are presented in the paper, the first of a four month old female infant born by Cesarian section. The mother was concerned that her daughter had difficulty controlling her head position and always slept on her right side. The left arm was used less frequently than the right. Upon examination, painful palpation was identified on the right upper cervical spine, with cervical flexion on the left being half that on the right. Follow-up after manipulation showed symmetrical development and normal sleep patterns.

Another report details the case of a five month old twin who suffered hypoxia at birth. At six weeks of age examination showed cervical scoliosis, hypomobility of the left arm, poor head control and asymmetry of the facial structures. Following manipulation, posture and mobility were symmetrical and the cervical scoliosis straightened.

A third report gives details of the case of a six month old female with inability to turn her head to the left and with a pronounced facial scoliosis. Handling the child was described as difficult as she often cried, her motor development was retarded and she had recurrent fever of unknown origin. A few hours after the first treatment she moved her head to the left. One month later her facial scoliosis was much less pronounced and her motor development was improved. Twelve months later no abnormalities were detected.

In this study, 29 infants were identified with congenital torticollis. In this condition, spasm or trauma to the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) causes the newborn infant’s head to tilt to one side. Frequently, in persistent cases, surgery to lengthen the SCM is the elective option. All but one the 29 infants with torticollis responded to manipulation of the upper cervical spine.

Identification of Suboccipital Strain

Identification of suboccipital strain requires careful palpation by a doctor experienced in the art of spinal examination. Initial indications can be increased pain or sensitivity of the suboccipitaland upper cervical spinal regions and/or restricted movements of the head and neck.

Subluxation of the atlas to the right, relative to the occiput, was a more frequent finding than was left atlas subluxation. This finding correlates with the studies of Jirout who also found the most common direction for atlas subluxation to be to the right.2 In 19 cases the main spinal asymmetry was found at C1-C2. In these patients, treatment at C1-C2 proved to be as effective as adjusting C0-C1.

Conclusion

Suboccipital strain is a leading factor in the conditions described. It can be relieved quickly and effectively by adjusting the cervical spine, in most cases, with one or two treatments. A frequent comment by parents was that their child ate better and slept better after the treatment.

References

1. Biedermann H. Kinematic imbalances due to suboccipital strain in newborns. J. Manual Med (1992) 6:151-156.

2. Jirout J. (1990) Roentgenologische Bewegungsdiagnostik der Halswirbelsaule. Fischer, Stuttgart.

Article first appeared in Dynamic Chiropractic – June 3, 1994, Vol. 12, Issue 12

….that Dr. Jeremy Brook is Los Angeles’ only C.C.W.P.?

In case you were wondering,  the C.C.W.P that Dr. J is affiliated with is the Certified Chiropractic Wellness Practitioner certification through the International Chiropractic Association , not the California Coalition for Women Prisoners.

This means that Dr. J has studied revolutionary protocols for wellness and prevention based on years of scientific research regarding the human genetic requirements with respect to nutrition, exercise, thoughts and emotions.

After studying with Wellness Expert, Dr. Chestnut, we at The Life Center Chiropractic are able to help you understand….. Why are we sick? and What is required to get and stay well?

For Chiropractors and Chiropractic Students…..

To learn more about this program go to:

ICA Council on Wellness Science

http://www.chiropractic.org/wellness/

Our body and behavior have built in mechanisms or tendencies to stay the same within a narrow limit. And when changed it will snap back immediately to its old alignment or pattern. Just think about it, when we are cold the body causes us shiver to generate more heat. This brings our core temperature back to a more comfortable limit. If the body didn’t make us shiver then we would succumb to the cold and risk injury or even freeze to death. The same thing applies to blood sugar, sodium, & thyroid hormone among others.  How about dieting? For those who have started a diet, they know the process of making changes in their diet requires new choices in types of food, as well as the proportions. If followed carefully the most obvious change is in their weight and energy levels. They become a new person. When they fall off track they notice they are in the same place as where started. Those who remained committed to the process noticed that it eventually became second nature and they did not revert back to their old eating habits.

This condition of equilibrium, this resistance to change, is called homeostasis. Homeostasis is an innate mechanism within the body that regulates all the systems in the body. When there is change in the body, your innate intelligence or inborn wisdom keeps you at a set limit. The problem is that sometimes the level or set limit you are currently at is not a positive one. Homeostasis works to keep things as they are, even if they aren’t very good. Being that our patterns and behaviors are hard to change, we become stuck at a certain level. Sometimes it’s beneficial, and sometimes it’s not. So it is essential to understand this innate mechanism in order to achieve optimal health and start being well.

Remember, homeostasis doesn’t distinguish between what you would call change for the better and change for the worse. It resists ALL change. So how do we tap in and reset our set limit? The way we do it in Chiropractic is start with the foundation. We start with the nervous system. According to Gray’s Anatomy,” The nervous system controls and coordinates all organs and structures of the body. Misalignments of spinal vertebrae and discs may cause irritation to the nervous system which could affect the structures, organs, and functions of the body.” So the central concept of chiropractic is to remove interference from the master system through specific adjustments to the spine, so the vital nerve energy can flow freely from the brain down the cord and out to every cell in the body. With a clear connection the body can function as it was designed to without distortion. We then build from there.

Chiropractic care begins with creating more motion in the body. Since motion is life and life is motion we must build or rebuild a body that is flexible and capable of handling the rigors and demands from life. When we open up, the body shifts in that direction. Innately the body wants more motion. Chiropractic adjustments to the spine allow for a greater degree of motion. But in order to prevent the body from reverting back to its old posture and patterns it needs reinforcement and correction. We do that with a series of adjustment to retrain and rebuild the alignment. With time the body will recognize that alignment and consider it to be its new set point.  Then the body will seek to maintain homeostasis by keeping you at that limit.

Once motion and a correct alignment are attained an individual is able to have a better connection within. Through a new awareness of their spine… their backbone…their foundation… their connection to life… they are able to consciously see their old unconscious patterns, whether they are unbeneficial emotions or postural distortions.

No one said it’s easy to create change. It requires three components. Time. Repetition. Energy. It takes time to make change. It requires repetition to reprogram the old. It requires energy to be committed to the process. And then sit back and watch the organic process in action. Others surely will.

Chiropractic is a mind body discipline. The mind and body and linked together by the nervous system. The nervous system is protected by the spinal bones. And chiropractors are intimately involved with the relationship between the structure and alignment of the bony armor and the function of the nervous system.

Chiropractic aims at the balance, adaptation, and harmonization of all the essential human elements, the mind, the body, and the spirit. This is accomplished by clearing the nerve system, or inner-net, of interference.

Since the inner-net is the integrating master of all the systems in the body and is the ultimate anatomical vehicle for elevating and transforming consciousness, it is essential that it be maintained on a regular basis.

Chiropractic recognizes an intelligent life force that animates all living things. This intelligence uses our nerve system as the medium to transmit life, light, chi, or prana throughout the body. When this life force flows freely from the brain down the cord out the nerves to the tissue cells one is able to fully express their genetic potential.

When this flow of intelligence is obstructed due to a misaligned spinal bone, the whole human ecology is greatly affected and distorted. Our hormonal balance, our perceptions, our strength and coordination, our ability to handle stress and recover, our ability to grow, and our inner foundation are all compromised. This obstruction to our nerve system is called a vertebral subluxation. Vertebral, specifying a vertebrae or one of the 24 spinal bones, and sub-lux-ation, specifying, less light in expression.

Chiropractic optimizes human performance and productivity by detecting and correcting subluxations through the chiropractic adjustment.

People chose to enter chiropractic on many different levels: To relieve stress from their high paced lives, as a holistic component for strengthening and invigorating the body, as a healing art for physical challenges, or as a path to experience higher levels of consciousness.

Whatever your motivation, chiropractic offers profound benefits that will affect all areas of your life: improve posture, ed inner awareness, enhanced human performance and creativity, and optimal neurological expression.

By making the body and mind stronger chiropractic allows you to be flexible and dynamic with every new moment.

Just as ecology teaches us to live in harmony with the other beings on planet Earth, chiropractic teaches us to live in harmony with all the integral parts of ourselves. As we achieve balance on the inside we come to recognize balance on the outside.

The correction of a vertebral subluxation is the primary goal of a principled chiropractor. But many of us haven’t even heard of the term vertebral subluxation, despite the fact that is a serious obstacle in our expression of health, healing, wellness, and vitality. So what exactly is a vertebral subluxation?

Let us begin with some basic anatomy, physiology, and embryology. When you were conceived you were given a brain and a spinal cord first. So vital and basic the wisdom of your body encased it in an armor of bone. The bony armor of the human nerve system includes the cranium, 24 spinal bones, the sacrum, coccyx, and 134 articulations, and provides protection and flexibility of the brain and the most vital nerve channel known to mankind, the spinal cord. These two opposing functions make the spine and cranium an architectural and engineering masterpiece!

The nerve system, comprised of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and a dazzling array of neurotransmitters or chemicals controls, integrates, and harmonizes all the other systems. It gathers our sense impressions, coordinates all actions and movements, and is the instrument used in the evolution of one’s consciousness. It is the most amazing communication system known to mankind. It is our “Inner- Net” and our link to the inner and outer world.  It connects us to life.

Now out from the spinal cord, through holes or channels between the jointed vertebrae, run nerves that carry human electricity, innate force, life force, light, prana, or chi to every muscle, organ, gland, blood vessel, and cell in the body. Embryology tells us that these nerves are so vital that they must precede the formation of any body part.

Chiropractors are concerned with the relationship between the structure and expression of the human being, specifically the spine and nerve system, and how that relationship may affect one’s level of health, creativity, and performance.

There are times in our lives when one or more spinal bones, or vertebrae, lose their normal alignment or motion and cause interference to the spinal cord which it was designed to protect. The effect is interference and abnormal communication between the brain and body resulting in an altered state of function. This is called a vertebral subluxation.

The vertebral subluxation can arise on several levels, due to physical, chemical, emotional, or spiritual stress. These stresses create tension within the nerve system and interfere with the normal flow of human electricity throughout the body.

The vertebral subluxation robs the body of focus to think, metabolize, and power to heal. Any interference with the normal action of nerves in carrying human electricity or life force deranges their functions, and thereby deranges the function of the muscles, organs, or glands to which they go to. The result, an unbalanced body.

This deranged function can only be made normal by having the displacements (subluxations) adjusted resulting in a free flow of healing energy throughout the body. This is accomplished through the chiropractic adjustment.

This free flow of healing energy is felt in every fiber of your being and allows for a most exquisite human experience.