Chiropractic Care: A Personal Review by C. Bailey-Lloyd After years of constant pain and traditional medicine, I went for my first Chiropractic visit at Palmetto Chiropractic Center in SC. (Due to lesion at C1/2, bulging disc at C3, scapula winging and scoliosis) When I walked into
door, I was a bit astounded by pleasant and spacious environment. Additionally, younger lady at front counter doubled both as receptionist and technician. She smiled, greeted me and introduced herself as "Dana." I relayed multiple health issues I was having; e.g., spinal lesions, bulging disk, winging scapula, scoliosis, parasthesia, ear ringing, vision loss, and tremendous pain. Dana listened attentively, and explained that these problems could definitely be addressed. After filling out a few standard forms, and my health history, Dana told me, "...Prepare to be amazed."
I was then escorted back to a small room where I was told that I would have diagnostic tests by technologically-advanced SEMG (Surface Electromyography) Scan and X-rays. In past, I had already had CT Myelograms, MRIs, Cat Scans, Ultrasound, Sonogram and traditional X-rays, so I assumed this was nothing new or out of ordinary.
The Chiropractor knocked on door and introduced himself to me as Dr. Jud Heldreth. Cordially, he explained that his practice actively engaged in "teaching" patients and encouraged me to ask as many questions as possible so that I would fully understand, and inevitably learn process of Chiropractics. As he left room, I was asked to remove my top articles of clothing and was draped with a clinical over shirt that opened in backside. In front of me, was a computerized screen with an image of a human musculoskeletal system, including spinal column. Alongside each vertebra, were several graph bars. Each bar representative of functional degrees of motor nerves, muscle balance, and autonomic nerves.
What I discovered was that SEMG Scan could detect slightest subluxations (or misalignments) that disturb nerve functioning. (Subluxations cause abnormal amounts of electrical current to flow into one's muscles.) SEMG Scan, as a valuable diagnostic tool, is capable of discovering and pinpointing these nervous system disturbances. The slightest amount of pressure - even pressure exerted from weight of a dime - can cause disturbances in Nervous System's communications - this is why SEMG Scan is so important. From what I was understand, White bars depict Normal Function. Abnormalities resulted in Green, Blue or Red Bars. Green bars were indicative of mild abnormal function; blue bars indicated moderate abnormal function; and red bars meant that abnormal function was severe.
After about five minutes, Dana came inside room and took what appeared to be a blow-dryer gun to my backside. Slowly and gently, she ran SEMG gun along my spinal column. Stopping at certain points, I could hear computer audibly announcing specific areas of my spine - "...C1....C2....C3....C4...C5...." etc. Painless and virtually noninvasive, I was more astounded that computer spoke than anything. Judging by my own SEMG Scan and my natural worry tendencies, my spine was in big trouble. I had never seen so many red bars in my life - and they were all pretty long as well.
Next, came X-rays. Unlike traditional methods of X-ray, I was asked to stand in different positions than what I was accustomed. A matter of fact, whole process lasted less than 40 minutes. After scan and X-rays were complete, I was scheduled for a follow-up appointment to discuss results of my tests.
The following Monday, I went to Chiropractic clinic to learn about my test results - and for my initial "adjustment." When I arrived, I was escorted back to original room where I had my "thermal Scan," (SEMG Scan). Dr. Heldreth walked into room with me and first began to explain what all red, green and blue bars meant on my SEMG scan. He relayed how this (SEMG Scan) was a diagnostic tool that informed him, along with X-rays, on condition of my spinal column. By merely looking at elongated bars on computerized screen, I was astonished. He pointed out several areas along my spine, beginning at nape of my skull to base of my nervous system, which had "subluxations," or nervous system disturbances. He further explained how these subluxations could have a dramatic impact on my overall health and well-being. He gave a detailed explanation as to how each of these subluxations could have a negative effect on various muscle, organ and glandular systems in my body. However, Dr. Heldreth accentuated his positive attitude and further went on to say that I, myself, had to have a positive attitude about my health so that we could tackle some of these issues.
Next, he placed my X-rays on a lit screen and with a black, felt-tip marker, and highlighted areas on film itself. He showed me two top vertebras and marked two dots from one groove to next. He clarified how these were not only displaced about an inch from one another, but how they were diagonally displaced as well. Following first bit of information, he went on to exhibit points below that were not in straight alignment at all. Furthermore, base of my spine (tail bone) was not only completely out of alignment but even curved to right and then back inward. Judging by appearance alone, X-rays were quite scary.
At that point, I went into a rant about how I had been diagnosed with scoliosis as a young girl, along with several injuries along span of my life. Looking back at me, chiropractor smiled, simply acknowledged my opinion about all of this and then said, "... Let's focus on your good health and what we can do to make your nervous system function optimally." He also elaborated on how all of these subluxations could possibly be causing interferences in some of my systems. Some disturbances could impair gall bladder & kidney function, while other disturbances could even cause vision and concentration impairment. All of pain and parasthesia in my back, shoulders and neck were likely an effect by multiple subluxations in my spinal column.
