Services Offered
Windmill Family Wellness Center is a modern facility known for its range of Chiropractic techniques - specifically gentle upper cervical procedures - nutritional and holistic services.
UNDERSTANDING THE UPPER CERVICAL PROCEDURE
Precision upper cervical adjusting is a little known chiropractic procedure that can relieve or completely eliminate hundreds of different kinds of conditions by correcting the position of the top vertebrae of the spinal column, the atlas. The atlas is a single, 2 ounce, doughnut shaped vertebrae located at the top of the skull. Because of its position at the brain stem area, any tilt, shift, or rotation of the atlas- even a micro degree- out of its proper position can cause interference in vital nerve pathways from the brain stem to different parts of the body.
If the atlas is out of its proper position, can it affect the whole body?
Completely, and in two serious ways. First, when the atlas is misaligned, it forces the entire spine and pelvis to twist and the head to be off center if the body. This results in body imbalance, strain and tension on muscles from head to toe, and a shortened leg. The result can be migraines, shoulder and arm pain, carpal tunnel, numbness and tingling in the limbs, scoliosis, sciatica, knee and foot problems, muscle spasms, arthritis and more. The second very serious consequence of the atlas being moved out of position is interference in nerve pathways that run from the brain stem to every part of the body. Blood supply and neural messages vital to the function of cells, tissue and organs throughout the body become constricted. The long-term result of reduced nerve and blood supply and body imbalance is degeneration of different areas of the body, causing mild to severe pain in various areas of the body, lowered resistance to illness, organ dysfunction, loss of mobility in limbs and ultimately disease. Just as the body cannot function without a proper supply of oxygen, food and water; the body degenerates if it is not supplied with proper blood and nerve flow. Though we recognize immediately when the body is not getting enough oxygen, water or food, we may not realize we are suffering from a long term dangerous reduction of nerve and blood supply until a major crisis occurs. Pain is often the last symptom to appear.
How does the Upper Cervical Procedure work?
For nerve energy to flow freely throughout the body, the atlas must be returned to its proper place. In over 90% of studied cases, when the atlas is out of proper positioning, vertebrae below the atlas are also misaligned. They require an atlas correction rather than repeated adjustments of the lower vertebrae, which is not where the problem originates.
The repositioning of the bone is done by hand or by instrument. The procedure is a gentle and quick adjustment to the side of the neck as the atlas is moved precisely back into its correct position. There is no twisting or popping of the neck. Patients are often surprised how anti-climactic it is until, over a period of time, they feel their bodies beginning to heal. The skillful, precise repositioning of the atlas is the basis for much of the relief experienced by people under care who have conditions that ordinarily do not respond to traditional methods. The procedure cures nothing, but simply corrects the atlas misalignment which restores body balance and the ability of the central nervous system to govern the body properly.
How often must a patient get his atlas corrected?
Dr. Robert Brooks, a leading upper cervical chiropractor, states that, “Correcting and stabilizing the spine may require a number of corrections over a period of time which depends on the condition of the spine, the skill of the doctor, and the lifestyle of the patient. Some spines will correct to a normal position with one adjustment and stabilize for weeks, months or years. Some misalignments are not correctable. During stabilization care, being adjusted as few times as possible is optimum. Correction of the misalignment must precede relief from illness and discomfort. Recovery continues as long as the adjustment holds. It is essential that the patient hold the correction so the healing can take place. The patient who gives the doctor enough time to correct the misalignment until the correction holds is most apt to obtain the maximum results.”
Is it possible that much of the population has a misaligned atlas?
Unfortunately, yes. Chiropractors have reason to believe that many of us have had our atlases misaligned since childhood. From the start, massive amounts of pressure are placed upon our head and neck as we force our way down the birth canal and into the world. A few months later, we are slipping and falling and hitting our heads as we learn to crawl and walk. Next, we are falling off bicycles and out of trees, or being hit while playing tag or football. Normal life trauma - to say nothing of trauma resulting from car or sporting accidents, emotional distress, chemicals added to the body or environmental exposure - can cause atlas displacement without us even knowing it.
Our parents made sure that we ate properly and got plenty of rest and exercise. They had no idea that if the atlas is out of its proper position it can cause constriction or compression of nerve pathways traveling to the digestive tract, create sleeping problems and can cause body imbalance. If this is the case, no matter how well we eat, no matter how much we exercise, no matter how much rest we get, we will never have the full benefit of any of our efforts if the nerves from our brain stem are constricted and our body imbalanced. That is why, attending to the correction of the atlas must be the very FIRST step to take in any wellness or crisis care program.
Most of us have no idea how misaligned our atlas is, or has been for years until we face a health crisis. Correcting the atlas is critical at this stage. But how much more practical and cost-effective would it be to avoid hundreds of possible problems by keeping our brain stem clear of interference and our spines corrected? Having the atlas examined from time to time is vital to good health for adults. It is also absolutely critical that parents have their child’s atlas examined early in life. Whether five years old or fifty, the position of that single, 2 ounce bone can make all the difference in the world to an individual’s health.
How long does it generally take to see improvement under this care?
It takes time to get well, just as it takes time to get sick. The longer you have had the condition, the longer the body will require to heal. Some people feel a difference from the very first adjustment. Others may take several weeks before experiencing any improvement. However, if this procedure can help your particular condition, you should see improvement within 90 days. But remember, this procedure isn’t about correcting specific conditions. It cures nothing. It simply corrects body imbalance and relieves spinal cord compression so that the body can function the way it is designed to function. When the body is functioning normally it is common a number of problems in your body to begin to correct themselves, not just the specific condition for which you initially sought help and care from Windmill Family Wellness Center.
Here are a few of the hundreds of conditions that are often helped by restoring body balance and nerve flow in the brain stem area.
Problems resulting from car accidents, sporting injuries and slip & fall mishaps
Migraines Numbness/Tingling/Pain in Limbs
Low resistance to colds & flu Sciatica/ Hip/ Knee & Foot Pain
Organ Dysfunction Herniated Disc
Fatigue Certain forms of epilepsy & arthritis
Fibromyalgia Trigeminal neuralgia
Loss of Range of Motion Childhood developmental problems
Notice how diverse these conditions are. Again, it’s not about curing a condition. It’s about enabling the body to function properly so that it can correct multiple conditions on its own. If your condition is not listed, do not assume that upper cervical care cannot help. If your body balance is restored and interference in nerve pathways removed, your body is going to be healthier. At the very least, it will enable your body to cope with your condition better. At the very best, your body will eliminate the problem entirely.
- On-Premise X-Ray Facility
- SEMG (Surface EMG and Thermal Scan (see first visit)
Other Services
Twin Hearts Meditation
for Personal Healing and World Peace
Hosted by Julie Preis, MSW and Mary Gladis, RN the first Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 7:15pm - Please join us anytime!
This beautiful universal meditation is based on the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. Enjoy being guided through a very simple and relaxing mediatation. Find inner peace and quiet that you have longed for as you become a channel of divine energy and receive blessings in return. "For it is in giving that we receive!"
For more information, please contact:
Julie Preis at 314-995-5080 or at our office number 314-849-4120