- Dr. Michael Lea received his training in St. Louis at Logan University. He received further training where he became an Upper Cervical Chiropractor. This is a strict chiropractic discipline focused on restoring the neurology and biomechanics of the upper cervical spine.
- Since the profession's inception in 1895, every Chiropractor has understood the importance of the craniocervical junction (upper cervical spine). However, not every Chiropractor utilizes this technique, which was introduced in 1930. Currently, Chiropractors use 13 different types of upper cervical techniques.
- Dr. B.J. Palmer, the developer of chiropractic, pioneered the profession by implementing the scientific method into chiropractic practice. He developed the foundational principles of the Chiropractic profession. Dr. Palmer, a man of many talents, conducted 15 years of research on the best practices of spine care. Once he established upper cervical care as the most technologically advanced training methodology, he had 100,000 patients annually. Each patient received an extensive medical examination; the only treatment was upper cervical care. Dr. Palmer published over 40 books chronicling the science, art, and philosophy of Upper Cervical Chiropractic.
- His research would ignite a new generation of researchers who became enamored with his rudimentary understanding of neurology related to spinal alignment. Before the research of Dr. B.J. Palmer and colleagues, very little was understood about the connection between the brain and spine.
- Roger Sperry, Ph.D., won the Nobel Peace Prize when he discovered that the movement of the spine generates 90% of the stimulation and nutrition to the brain. He stated, "The more mechanically distorted a person is, the less energy available for thinking, metabolism, and healing."
- It has no intervertebral discs
- It has no interlocking joints
- Is a flat ring (compared to a square block)
- The upper cervical spine is a junction between the brain (occipital bone) and the cervical spinal cord, protected by the atlas vertebra. This bone is very unique in comparison to the rest of the vertebrae. While other vertebrae are square in structure like building blocks, the atlas vertebra is a flat ring. Between each vertebra, therein lies a disc called an intervertebral disc. This disc is a shock absorber and spacer for the nerves exiting the spine above and below each vertebra. The atlas vertebra has no associated discs above or below. Every vertebra has interlocking joints (facet joints) located above and below each level. These joints help stabilize the spinal column by locking the vertebra like shingles on a roof.
- In short, the atlas vertebra has a different anatomical structure: no discs or joints. It's unique in every way. These unique structure characteristics provide an interesting juxtaposition to the underlying nerves that supply electricity to every cell, tissue, and organ of the body.
- The cervical spine, particularly the upper cervical spine, is a neurologically dense area because all the body's nerves are passing through this area to get to the brain. Conversely, the brain signals pass through to get to the body. This creates a superhighway of nerves, a crossroads between the brain and spine.
Every person has a unique fingerprint, right? Every person has a unique spinal print as well. Performing the infrared neurologic scan on every single visit allows the Upper Cervical Doctor to establish a patient’s spinal print. There should be a consistent pattern to the infrared scan indicating when a correction is needed. This crooked line is an example an abnormal infrared scan. What this asymmetrical heat differential illustrates is an imbalance of heat from one side of the spine to the other.
Here’s another example of an abnormal infrared scan. The illustration on the right shows an asymmetrical heat differential.
- When the atlas vertebra misaligns, often due to trauma, it compromises the nerves underlying the bony structure. This compromise is what Chiropractors refer to as vertebral subluxation. This means there is a neurological disconnect or compromise between the brain and spine. We know this from studies performed by Dr. Palmer nearly one hundred years ago. In the modern era of Upper Cervical Chiropractic, there are assessments and examinations that your doctor can perform to determine if there is either a structural issue, a neurological compromise, or both.
- Digital infrared paraspinal thermography is the easiest and most effective way your doctor can determine the problem. The theory of measuring spinal temperature related to spinal structure and neurological function was first introduced in 1924. There have been updates to this technology in the last century.
- Dr. Michael Lea is a leading expert in digital infrared paraspinal thermography. He has co-authored a textbook on the subject that teaches students and doctors across the globe how to interpret and implement this technology in their practice.
- Upper Cervical Spinal Care is not about treating symptoms or getting a patient out of pain. It's about restoring proper motion to the craniocervical junction, reducing or removing neurological compromise to the nervous system. When this occurs, a patient is functioning optimally, allowing the patient's nervous system to adapt more appropriately to the stress encountered daily.
