Female, age 65:
Please describe your condition/health prior to upper cervical care.
I have had hypertension for about 12 years. Despite having a healthy life style with nearly daily exercise, a plant-based healthy diet, and a meditation practice, the condition persisted and did not even respond well to medication. I believe that the condition developed after a prolonged period of work stress, and that the high blood pressure was eventually a natural condition for my body which met every attempt to lower it with the frustrating reaction of raising it again in order to achieve an unhealthy kind of homeostasis.

Although I am somewhat skeptical about all kinds of medical intervention, especially classic western medicine, I did try many different kinds of supplements (combining some of them), advertised devices, chi gong, and acupuncture. All the studies and reports regarding these modalities seemed so hopeful, but I was always disappointed. And when I eventually broke down and took diuretics, beta blockers etc., I was also disappointed.

Please explain how this condition affected your daily life.
First of all, I developed a great fear of having my blood pressure taken or even taking it at home. Therefore, I avoided medical checkups. I felt well, but always feared that I had higher and higher risks for stroke, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s, but did not know what else to do….except to keep up my healthy life style (which I had for decades before developing hypertension) and avoid all opportunities to take my blood pressure.

Secondly, I could never give blood (which I had done occasionally before) because my blood pressure would shoot up higher than even the generous systolic limit allowed by the blood banks. I felt badly about this because my blood type is much needed.

What was your perception of chiropractic prior to upper cervical care?
I had been helped by “sports chiropractors” when I had a running injury and also had been helped with a painful neck and shoulder caused by an non-ergonomic computer setup. Both of these experiences involved skillful massage, along with some minor manipulation.

About a year ago, I had read about a study out of Chicago in which a one-time manipulation of the upper cervical vertebrae produced dramatic normalization of blood pressure in a number  of subjects (it was a single-blind study in which half of the subjects received sham manipulation and half received real manipulation…none of the subjects knew which was which). I was then intrigued by that possibility, but asked around and initially couldn’t find anyone who even heard of a chiropractor who practiced this specialty.

Please describe the results you obtained through Specific Chiropractic.
After four months, my blood pressure is considerably lower both at home and at the doctor’s office than it has been for many years. It took a while to gradually come down and it does still bounce around a bit, but it has not gone above normal for a while. This situation is confounded by the fact that I added a third blood pressure medication to the two I was already taking just about the time I started the upper cervical chiropractic, but that medication would not have been expected to make nearly the kind of change that I have experienced. I  hope that I will eventually be able to reduce or stop all three meds.

In any case, I am not only so pleased with the result, but am particularly glad that it has been achieved by means of my body correcting itself. These results seem so much more positive because they (presumably) arose from removing obstacles from the full functioning of the nervous system and so they hopefully arise both naturally and continuously.

How has your life changed?
Because I felt well before, I don’t feel physically much different. However, I am amazed, relieved, and grateful that my blood pressure is normal and so thankful to no longer be phobic about doctors’ visits. I am also glad to be eligible to give blood again after many years.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Female, age 58:
Please describe your condition/health prior to upper cervical care.
One night, after dinner with friends, I went to put my coat on and I could not extend my right arm; it was very painful for seemingly no reason. I had no idea what was wrong. Up until that moment I had been feeling great, with no health complaints.

Please explain how this condition affected your daily life.
During the night I kept waking up with pain in my elbow and the next day I still could not extend my arm. This meant I could not eat with my right hand, wash my hair, tie my shoes or do much of anything. It was not only painful, but frustrating, as I was so limited in my activities, and reliant upon others for help. This lasted about a week, until I received my first upper cervical adjustment.

What was your perception of chiropractic prior to upper cervical care?
Chiropractic has always been a part of my life, although I'm new to upper cervical care. I've gone to chiropractors since I was 19, and am generally in good health.

Please describe the results you obtained through Specific Chiropractic.
It took about a week for Dr. Clum to collect all of the information she needed, with the nervous systems scans and the x-rays. The pain persisted, and I was getting really frustrated, as I just wanted to feel better! Finally, I received an adjustment. The day after my first upper cervical adjustment I was feeling good again--my arm was perfect! I couldn't believe how one adjustment affected me. It's so easy, and my health is better then ever.