Subluxation (misalignment): A problem in the spine where an abnormal position/movement of the vertebrae disturbs communication within the Central Nervous System causing a disturbance in the body.                                          

The Central Nerve System, which controls ALL FUNCTIONS OF THE BODY, is comprised of three areas. Any or all of these areas may be affected by misalignments (subluxations) of the spine.

1. Motor Nerves
Motor nerves control your movement and posture and when disturbed can lead to abnormal tensions, weakness and fatigue. This is assessed by specific postural analysis and by sEMG (surface electromyography). The sEMG reads the amount of electrical current in your muscles to determine how well your motor nerves are functioning and if they are symmetrical. This is extremely important because the vertebrae in the spine depend on the muscles to move properly. Subluxations (misalignments in the spine) disturb nerve function and cause an abnormal amount of electrical current to flow to your muscles. This leads to muscles becoming weaker or stronger, tighter or fatigued on one side of the spine compared to the other. These are indicated by colors or abnormal patterns in the scan. 

2. Autonomic Nerves 
Autonomic nerves control all of your organs, immune system and glands (hormones). Thermography measures temperature differences. If your normal body temperature is 98.6F, then the left and right sides of your spine should also be the same. Your skin is the largest organ in the body, and the blood vessels under the skin work as the body's thermostat. (They expand to release heat and contract to retain heat controlling the body's temperature.) When there is disturbance somewhere in the Nervous System, the blood vessels are disturbed, and it causes the body's thermostat to malfunction. This results in an imbalance temperature reading along the spine, which is measured with the Insight Millennium. Your blood vessels are controlled by the same part of the Central Nervous System that runs your organs and glands, known as the Autonomic System. This thermal scan provides us with the information to monitor the Autonomic System for proper function.

3. Pain & Sensation
These nerves are the ones that control your ability to sense and perceive pain. Only 10% of your entire nervous system is set up to sense pain. While pain is a strong warning that something is wrong, a lack of pain may not mean that we are totally healthy. The Insight Technology helps us assess your nerve and spine health beyond your symptoms. This allows us to catch problems before they become painful and monitor your progress when pain nerves are no longer being affected.

At Rilascio Chiropractic, we utilize an advanced chiropractic technology that scans your spine and delivers a computerized image of the stress and tension to your nervous system. Two different technologies give us (and you) an objective assessment:

SURFACE EMG                                                                                  

Surface Electromyography measures the minute amounts of electrical energy in the muscles along your spine. Subluxations disturb the function of the nervous system. This can produce too much or too little electrical activity in your muscles. We use this highly-accurate, non-invasive scan to document your progress and chart your improvement. It's more accurate than how you feel.  
 

THERMAL SCAN

Each color represents differing amounts of nerve interference.

As you'd expect, this measures temperature. When there are disturbances to your nervous system along the spine, there are often temperature differences from side to side. This is due to inflammation and changes in blood flow. Our thermal scan is non-invasive, gentle and reveals the condition of your autonomic nervous system controlling your organs, glands and circulatory system. 

WHAT TO EXPECT

After gowning, we'll have you sit still for a moment or two. Then, starting at the base of your spine the thermal rolling scanner moves up to the base of your skull.  Then the Doctor will lightly place the two sEMG sensors starting at the top of your spine moving down your back to the top of your sacrum. Think of these as miniature radio antennas listening for a distant station. That's it. The computer does the rest! 

At your report of findings, you'll get to see the computerized printout and learn what it means. We will explain in detail what the scan represents and how it will help us in getting you well.  Because your care is based on the condition of your nervous system, not how you feel, this technology is the focal point of our practice.

Our state of the art technology will objectively help us:

      1.Detect areas of nerve disturbance
      2.Document and monitor your results
      3.Deliver the appropriate network chiropractic care

Frequently asked questions about the Insight Millennium Subluxation Station: 

1. Do the Insight Millennium scans hurt? 
NEVER. The tests are completely non-invasive; they do not use any needles, electrical shock or heat. They are designed to receive information from your Central Nervous System.

2. Why does the Network Chiropractor administer these tests? 
Our purpose is to detect abnormal function in the spine, which cannot be seen on x-ray. Abnormal spinal function causes abnormal Nervous System disturbance. 

3. Why is it important to monitor the results? 
Dr. Schuyler wants the best results for his practice members. He can easily monitor these changes through periodic progress exams. It has been proven that a very slight amount of pressure can disturb Nervous System communication whether or not symptoms are present! Monitoring the functioning of the Nervous System is vital in improving your health and well-being.

4. How will these tests benefit me? 
For years, a concern of the public has been, Why do I have to keep going to the chiropractor even though I'm pain-free? or How do I know if I'm getting the proper amount of adjustments?

Now you are able to actually see the changes, and it will be easier to understand the amount and type of care you are receiving. This technology allows the doctors to provide a tailor-made program to meet your specific needs. 

Chiropractic Care that is Out of this World 
The following is an press release about The Insight Subluxation Station receiving the Space Foundation Certification by the Chiropractic Leadership Alliance.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (January 1, 2006)  Spinal care technology developed for astronauts is now available for better chiropractic care. The Space Foundation, co-founded by NASA, announced today that the Chiropractic Leadership Alliance (CLA) has been awarded exclusive certification for the Insight Subluxation Station as a Certified Space Technology (tm). The Insight technology is a neurospinal screening and evaluation system that uses surface electromyography (SEMG) technology originally designed to measure changes in the spinal muscles of astronauts. Chiropractors use the Insight to measure the effects of subluxations, and to help identify misalignments of the spine that cause nerve interference. Spinal misalignment disturbs the muscle's regular nerve function, causing an abnormal amount of electrical flow to the muscles and creating other health problems. The Insight Subluxation Station measures the electrical flow and charts it using graphics that show the spine and specify precisely when chiropractors should adjust their patients, allowing for increased accuracy in diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. The Space Foundation is pleased to certify the Insight Subluxation Station, said Kevin Cook, director of brand management for the Space Foundation. The Chiropractic Leadership Alliance promotes better health by equipping the professional with the best technology for patient assessment. The Insight uses technology developed for NASA to measure the effects of space on the spines of space shuttle astronauts. CLA continued the development of the system into the commercially available model available for chiropractic care and has been marketing the technology since 1988. The system measures skin temperature differentials and the sensitivity of paraspinal tissues and assesses range-of-motion, heart rate variability, and the amount of tension of paraspinal muscle activity to create the visual images used by chiropractors and their patients. We are extremely excited to have been awarded the Space Foundation's certification, states CLA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Patrick Gentempo. Increasing the credibility of chiropractic practice with a technology relevant to today's world will help bring better health to millions of people worldwide. CLA is pleased to be on the cutting edge of emerging technology, said Dr. Christopher Kent, CLA Co-founder. We are committed to providing chiropractors and their patients with scientifically sound technology. This will lead to improved clinical outcomes. Since the dawn of the space era, the world's best engineers at NASA have been developing advanced technologies that fuel America's efforts in space and also result in a number of earthly applications. The Space Certification Program, managed by the Space Foundation, provides official recognition for qualified products and services incorporating those space technologies.

|Thermography|

THE SCIENCE BEHIND THERMOGRAPHY

Thermal technology has been in clinical use for over a century. The first thermal patent for healthcare use was applied for in 1924, by Dossa Evins. Later that year, B.J. Palmer started utilizing thermal technology to measure patients’ response to care. Thermography has long been acknowledged in the scientific community as being an accurate and reproducible technology. In fact, there are over 5000 references to thermography on Medline. The normative study used by the Insight is based on published scientific research done at Johns Hopkins University in 1988, in which a group of neurosurgeons used thermal scanning technology to determine temperature asymmetry protocols and their relationship to sympathetic dysfunction. In the abstract from the article, it states “Thermal values can be used as a standard in assessment of sympathetic nerve function, and the degree of asymmetry is a quantifiable indicator of dysfunction.”

Thermal technology has been in clinical use for over a century. The first thermal patent for healthcare use was applied for in 1924, by Dossa Evins. Later that year, B.J. Palmer started utilizing thermal technology to measure patients’ response to care.

Thermography has long been acknowledged in the scientific community as being an accurate and reproducible technology. In fact, there are over 5000 references to thermography onMedline.

The normative study used by the Insight is based on published scientific research done at JohnsHopkins University in 1988, in which a group of neurosurgeons used thermal scanning technology to determine temperature asymmetry protocols and their relationship to sympathetic dysfunction. In the abstract from the article, it states “Thermal values can be used as a standard in assessment of sympathetic nerve function, and the degree of asymmetry is a quantifiable indicator of dysfunction.”

|Surface Electromyography - sEMG|

Static and Dynamic Surface Electromyography(sEMG)

CLA’s INSiGHT™ scanning technology helps bridge the gap between known advantages of chiropractic adjustments and concrete measurements. Static and Dynamic Surface Electromyography (sEMG) is an essential part of our INSiGHT™ system, providing a major piece of the puzzle of general well-being by assessing paraspinal tension.

What is sEMG and how can it support chiropractic care?

This technology reads electrical activity (action potential) in order to measure paraspinal tension, similar to the use of electromyography in EKG/heart rate measurement machines.

The electric current pattern is a critical component in how your body functions. The muscles on either side of your spine should be balanced: if they are not working equally well, the body is forced to compensate, which takes energy. This imbalance can monitored by sEMG technology. Alterations in electrical activity in the paraspinal muscles can shed light on the muscular changes linked to vertebral subluxations. As such, chiropractors can use sEMG to establish a baseline for paraspinal electrical activity.

In contrast to EKG/heart rate monitors, the sEMG used within CLA’s INSiGHT™ technology has sensors that are 1,000 times more sensitive. This enables them to read the electrical activity of paraspinal muscles, which is much weaker than that of the heart. The sensitivity and accuracy of the Insight technology is unsurpassed.

What do these results look like?

With CLA’s sEMG system, chiropractors can access action potential measurements through the following methods:

• Normal scan – This establishes normal levels of electrical activity for reference during treatment. The normal scan will have a pear-shaped pattern.
• Amplitude scan – This scan reveals the amplitude (tension) among paraspinal electrical activity, noting areas of hyper or hypo-tonicity as it compares to a normal population. CLA’s chiropractic tools use a color-coded system: Green bars show mild elevation (compared to the normal scan), blue bars convey moderate elevation, red bars indicate high elevation and yellow bars display readings below normal amplitude.
• Asymmetry scan – This reading depicts the amount of muscle pull from one side to another along the spine using the same color-coded system. White triangles indicate normal.                                                                                  
• sEMG-Pattern view – This cutting edge graph is patent-pending and unique to CLA’s INSiGHT™ technology. It highlights patterns in how energy is distributed throughout the spine and whether this system is efficient or not. With this view, chiropractors can easily visualize underlying imbalances and room for improvement for patients who are interested in better wellness.

— Quantifications Report:  The Quantifications Report Graph documents each patient’s progress.

The Science Behind sEMG

1 – SEMG – AN ACCEPTED TECHNOLOGY FOR CLINICAL USE

According to other sEMG manufacturers who market to the medical profession, the following medical specialties have utilized surface EMG since the late 1980s:

• Urologists for diagnosis and treatment of urinary incontinence
• Orthopedists for muscle rehab and training
• Physiologists for anxiety, tension/migraine headaches, rehab
• General practitioners for circulation problems, anxiety, desensitization, distonia [muscle tonus], incontinence, spasms, relaxation, psychosomatic symptoms
• Family practitioners for circulation problems, anxiety, desensitization, distonia [muscle tonus], incontinence, spasms, relaxation, psychosomatic  symptoms
• Neurologists for anxiety, muscle training and rehab, spasms
• Speech pathologists for anxiety, relaxation
• Sports Medicine for muscle training and rehab
• Corporate Medicine for muscle training and rehab
• Psychiatrists and psychologists for anxiety, desensitization, psychosomatic symptoms, tortocollis, writer’s cramp, phobias
• Rehab centers for muscle training, relaxation, spasms, and urinary incontinence
• Occupational therapists for muscle training/rehab, relaxation, migraine headaches
• Dentists for TMJ, anxiety, tension/migraine headaches

Go to www.bio-medical.com to see how sEMG is currently being used by physical therapists, physiatrists, message therapists, and RNs.

2 – INDEPENDENT STUDIES

Christopher Kent, DC, FCCI, JD, CLA Co-Founder and Research Director, and one of the chiropractic profession’s leading researchers, sums up the issue on reliability of sEMG: “Studies spanning decades consistently report high levels of reliability. Quite simply, no other procedure I am aware of in chiropractic, except measurements on x-rays, approach the reliability of sEMG. Studies from the Mayo Clinic to the NZ Chiropractic College have demonstrated this. NONE OF THESE STUDIES WERE PERFORMED OR FUNDED BY CLA.”

Price, Clare, Ewerhardt (1) observed that surface e lectrode paraspinal electromyography has been employed since 1948 to measure muscular activity. Cobb et al (2) concluded that “…muscle spasm (even when mild) is accompanied by muscular hyperactivity which can be evaluated by suitable electromyographic techniques. Our data suggest that surface electrodes allow better sampling than Teflon coated needles…” and that “…integration procedures (surface EMG) allow better quantification than does the visual evaluation of a (needle) EMG…”

Surface electrode electromyography with attached electrodes exhibits very good to excellent test-retest reliability. Reliability is a measure of the ability to reproduce a measurement, which is expressed as a coefficient ranging from 0.00 to 1.00. Perfect reliability results in a coefficient of 1.00, while chance agreement would be 0.0. As presented below, research data indicates that the reliability of sEMG is clearly superior to palpation for muscle tension. Spector (3) reported a surface EMG study performed at New York Chiropractic College which yielded correlation coefficients ranging from 0.73 and 0.97. Komi and Buskirk (4) compared the test-retest reliability of surface electrodes vs. needle electrodes in the deltoid muscle. The test-retest reliability for surface electrodes was 0.88 compared to 0.62 for inserted electrodes.

Giroux and Lamontagne (5) compared the reliability of surface vs. intramuscular wire EMG of the trapezius and deltoid muscles during isometric and dynamic contractions. The statistical analysis on the integrated EMG was a factorial analysis model with repeated measures. They found that surface EMG was more reliable than inserted wire EMG on day-to-day investigations.

Andersson et al (6) compared the electrical activity in lumbar erector spinae muscles using inserted electrodes and surface electrodes. They found that the standard deviations and coefficients of variation for wire electrodes was greater than those for surface electrodes. They concluded, “Wire electrodes are more sensitive to electrode location and give estimates with less precision than surface electrodes.” Thompson et al (7) found that the scanning electrode technique correlated well with the “gold standard” of attached electrode technique (The Insight sEMG has both static and attached electrode techniques).

Cram et al (8) evaluated the reliability of surface EMG scanning in 102 subjects in the sitting and standing positions. sEMG scans were performed on three occasions approximately one hour apart on the same day. The median correlation between hand-held and patch electrodes was high, with a correlation coefficient of 0.64. The authors concluded, “With adequate attention given to skin preparation, EMG sensors held in place by hand with a light pressure provide reliable results.”

3 – SURFACE EMG REFERENCES

1. Price JP, Clare MH, Ewerhardt RH. Studies in low backache with persistent muscle spasm. Journal Phys Med Rehabil 1948; 19:703.
2. Cobb CR, DeVries HA, Urban RT, et al. Electrical activity in muscle pain. Am J Phys Med 1975; 54(2):80.
3. Spector B. Surface electromyography as a model for the development of standardized procedures and reliability testing. JMPT 1979; 2(4):214.
4. Andersson G, Jonsson B, Ortengren R. Myoelectric activity in individual lumbar erector spinae muscles in sitting. A study with surface and wire elec-trodes. Sc and J Rehab Med 1974 Suppl; 3:91.
5. Giroux B, Lamontagne M. Comparisons between surface electrodes and intramuscular wire electrodes in isometric and dynamic conditions. Electromyography Clin Neurophysiol 1990; 30:397.
6. Komi P, Buskirk E. Reproducibility of electromyographic measurements with inserted wire electrodes and surface electrodes. Electromyography 1970; 10:357.
7. Thompson J, Erickson R, Offord K. EMG muscle scanning: stability of hand-held electrodes. Biofeedback Self Regul 1989; 14(1):55.
8. Cram JR, Lloyd J, Cahn TS. The reliability of EMG muscle scanning. Int J Psychosomatics 1994; 41:41.

|What's Your Posture Saying About You?|

Check your state.

Posturing is apart of life: it influences how we structure and function in our bodies, our lives, our relationships personal and professional even our financial wellness etc.

...We posture our emotions: from passion, fear, joy, anger. excitement, depression etc. in an instant we reflect and broadcast these emotional states without saying a word.

...We posture our thoughts: beliefs, worries, stories, rules, judgements, perceptions etc. in an instant we reflect and broadcast our mental state without any conscious awareness.

...We posture when we are living in survival, protection, reacting and defending ourselves: to be “on guard” to life and all of its stressors, in this state our spine locks up and becomes more rigid and less adaptable reinforcing a stress physiology and nervous system in a state of fight, flight or freeze mode. 

...We posture transformative states of action, growth, focused direction, creativity and follow through, simply by changing our posture we can change our resourcefulness to thrive, adapt and grow.

...We posture expanded states of grace, gratitude, love, compassion connection and purpose with a deep sense of awakening to the grandeur of life.

Each state of posturing: has a structural identity with corresponding functions and behaviors reflecting our current physiological state of consciousness flexibility, adaptability and emotional range it brings with it, directly influencing our genetics and our immunology. 

As we posture different states of consciousness and our present perceptions of reality will shape our life, consistently reinforcing the unconscious pattern being played out through our neurology no matter what end of the spectrum your living from.

Dr. Donald Epstein (developer of Network Care) has been quoted for years, stating...

"The shape, position, tone, and tension of the neural-spinal system is directly related to the shape, position, tone, and tension in a person's life... When the spine cannot enjoy its natural, full range of motion, the body-mind is limited in the kinds of experiences it can have, as well as in the way it can express itself on a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels."

Over the last 23 years specializing as an Exercise Physiologist and Network Chiropractic Care I have consistently found... 

All most all postural challenges are directly related to the spinal misalignments (Vertebral Subluxations) and Spinal Cord Tension patterns reinforcing postural imbalance and most all of these imbalances start within the first 7 years of life.

We specializes in releasing and correcting these patterns and postural distortions.

|Time to experience a new baseline with ease|

Get Checked Today in our office to see if we can help you or those you love

We specialize Improving Postures from the Inside-Out... and enhancing your life experience.

Enjoy the TED Talk video clip by Amy Cuddy: Your body language shapes who you are.

One thing that is not mentioned in the TED talk is... do you ever notice that you can focus on willing and affirming your posture and your mental and emotional states but when you stop focusing on it you automatically return to your well rehearsed habitual state slouching back into these well conditioned posturing with life and all it's stresses that come with engaging with our modern living.

|DO YOU HAVE A PINCHED NERVE?|

DIGITAL SPINAL X-RAY WILL ASSIST US IN DETECTING AND CORRECTING YOUR SPINAL PROBLEMS

TALK TO OUR DOCTORS ABOUT YOUR CONDITION

If it has been determined by our Doctors during your initial consultation and evaluation that an additional diagnostic X-ray study will be necessary to best support your specific condition and needs.  All patients will be referred to our local affiliate radiology center.  

We have been partnering with Pueblo Radiology Imaging Center of Santa Barbara for years.  We have found this professional relationship to be an added value and asset we have been able to offer our patients and their families.  

By working intimately with Pueblo Radiology team of Board Certified Radiologist, we are able to best determine highest level of patient care tailored specifically to your individual needs. Our patients benefit from both our Doctors of Chiropractic and Pueblo Radiology, Medical Radiologist professional opinions to get you well and to optimize your health. 

If any additional referrals or support our patients may need fall outside the scope of chiropractic while receiving care in our office.

We will best be able to determine what necessary course of action will best suit your needs and if you will be able to be accepted for care in our office.   

NORMAL CERVICAL SPINAL CURVE

VERTEBRAL SUBLUXATION | SPINAL DEGENERATION