Health care is such a weird nut to crack.  I don’t mean what you hear about in the news.  Rather, I am referring to true, principled, objective, find-it-and-fix-it health care where the root cause of the problem is discovered and corrected, not simply covering up or masking symptoms to keep a patient quiet.

It is tough to crack because just when we think we understand something, new evidence emerges and changes the way we look at things.  Specifically, I rediscovered yesterday what happens when someone has remnant pressure on their brainstem.  Pain increases, hip levels are grossly imbalanced, a smooth gate is difficult to impossible to experience, and the utilization of narcotics and other pain medications skyrockets.  Further, blood glucose levels get dangerously high, and malignant hypertension requires multiple prescription interventions.

I made a trip to Monroe, MI to the office of Dr. Keith Denton for my regular study and fellowship training session.  We reviewed the x-rays from a patient I have been taking care of for the past 2 years and came up with a game plan together.  A simple re-xray and new analysis revealed the change in the vector that needed to be made.

The new correction balanced the patient’s hips out (frontal plane), which was a 4 degree change.  Weight balanced, and on post-xrays, the 3 degree lateral movement of C1 had been totally corrected.  Immediately, the patient could rise from seated position with ease, and could walk with a much smoother gait.  The slight rigidity that existed in her movement after one adjustment was reported to be due to right knee pain after a minor knee injury the day before.

Following up the next morning with patient revealed blood glucose levels were within normal limits without diabetic medication administration, and prescription pain medication was not necessary.

The patient was advised to rest the spine for three days.  She will be monitored twice weekly, but will only be re-adjusted (if indicated) after two weeks, in order to give the neurology and spinal soft tissues a chance to relax.

How can something be so simple and yet so life-alteringly powerful?  My accountant made a statement to me recently when we were discussing some of the miraculous events I have seen in my office.  His insight: “If what you are saying is true, it’s only a matter of time until people are lined up around this building.”  Very true, Don.  I speak only truth, so it is, in fact, only a matter of time until people are lined up around the building at 203 S. Zeeb Rd. in Ann Arbor.  Maybe then, you, too, will be speechless and amazed.