Help For TMJ

POP! There it goes again, ouch! You were eating, or yawning or just talking with your boss and your jaw let you down. It's called TMJ syndrome, aka temporomandibular joint syndrome. It's a natural result of the conditions that are present, but what are those conditions?
From the Osteopathic world, we have research that shows how a tooth extraction can cause the bones in the head to go out of position, which affects how the jaw sits. From the Chiropractic world, we have research that shows a misalignment of the atlas, or first cervical vertebra, can set the stage for abnormal muscle tone that pulls the jaw out of alignment. From the Alexander Technique, we have compelling evidence that simply correcting the overuse of the suboccipital muscles will re-balance the structures involved.
Check into Rockford's Chiropractor who has training and experience in all three areas to determine the best way to resolve TMJ syndrome for you. 815-398-4500.

Hope for Parkinson's Disease

It can begin with simple stiffness in one arm. Then the shuffling starts, as though your legs are glued to the floor. Parkinson's Disease and Parkinsonia are problems that relate to brain function. Although it is not known how this disease gets started in the general population (you can get it overnight from tainted street drugs), one element is common in this type of patient - early in life there was head/neck trauma.
With upper cervical chiropractic, we are able to restore normal physiology to the tissues in the brain and spinal cord, according to the conditions present. Many people suffering with these symptoms report improvements. For some, the shaking grows less, for some the stiffness relaxes, for some the gait improves.
In Rockford, Illinois, the one chiropractor that offers strictly upper cervical care using the NUCCA procedure is 1st Step Chiropractic. Are you ready to begin the healing process?

Getting To Point "B"

There have been a few significant influences on my life. It is similiar to a great chicken soup - some garlic, carrots, parsnips...you get the picture?
I want to mention some of these influences to round out the picture of my practice.
Doris H. Johnson, my first violin teacher and coach through my professional violin career until her death from Lou Gherig's disease in 1986. I didn't learn enough about how to get health back in time to help her, but now things are different. She taught me how to listen.
Joseph Primavera, hot-headed conductor of the Youth Orchestra of Greater Philadelphia. He taught me how to stop.
Countess Catherine Wielopolska, aka "Kitty," taught me how to stop stiffening my neck through the Alexander Technique.
Richard Leaky (the younger) and Cab Calloway. A strange but useful lesson. If you don't take care of yourself, you can't stop getting rude and cranky.
George Burns and Lou Tepper. World-class means being encouraging, with high expectations of your fellow workers.
Rev. Elwood Bailey. The importance of rearranging your prejudices periodically.
Dr. Vern Hagen You don't know how much you know, and you don't know as much as you think you do.
My father, Rev. Frederick M. Schalow. The guidebook to all of life, love and liberty with God really is Holy Scripture.
My patients. They have all taught me how to be a good doctor, challenging me to deliver the best adjustment on the planet and expecting the best from me.
I am grateful to you all...

From Twelve Feet Up

Have you ever wondered what it would look like to fall on your head from 12 feet above the ground? What would it feel like to have that moment of imbalance when you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you're not in charge and that you're about to have an unpleasant encounter with the planet? Do you just give in and relax? Do you have a flash of stoicism and accept without complaint the coming assault? Do you go into shock before you even hit the ground?

Despite the many responses to the event, there is one response that is essential - get evaluated by the appropriate professional for dangerous trauma. Chiropractors are trained to spot signs of trauma that are best handled in the hospital. That includes trauma such as broken bones and internal bleeding. If there are no such signs, it is appropriate to receive a spinal correction that sets the healing process into motion and speeds up recovery.

In fact, that happened today for a patient of mine. His colleague was not so lucky, so once his chiropractor determined that there were fractures and potential bleeding, off he went to the hospital.

We're all rooting for you, and your Rockford Chiropractor is ready to give you the best appropriate care.

Help For Headaches in Rockford

I really don't know if I can help people find relief from headaches. It depends on what the examination tells me is the problem causing the headaches. One of the causes of headaches looks like this; "I had a nearly fatal accident about 20 years ago where I smacked my head hard and blacked out. Then I started getting headaches about five years later."

Well, that one is a real no-brainer. Did you know that the cranial bones can move out of position? They can get stuck in the wrong place and press on the brain, restricting blood flow in and out and causing some interesting pressure problems.

(Unless you missed the last one hundred years of Osteopathy, Chiropractic and Orthodontics, you may not realize that the bones of the head move and that you can precisely identify the nature of that movement)

When the Atlas Subluxation Complex is present, it prevents the body from fixing these old injuries. Hence the headaches (in this particular case).

Our job at 1st Step Chiropractic (where you find upper cervical chiropractic in Rockford) is to correct this problem and then make sure the body heals up. What a great sight to see someone living without the pain of headaches any more!

Who do YOU know that wants to get better?

NUCCA Presence in Rockford!

What's all this about? Rockford's NUCCA chiropractic practice devoted to identifying and correcting the atlas subluxation complex. Are you ready for some good changes in your life?

Help For the Heart in Rockford

The medical research is beginning to catch up with the rest of us when it comes to simple activities that support normal physiology. Among other research studies comes this one on Vitamin D3. Turns out that people with lower levels of Vitamin D in the blood are more likely to develop and die from cardiovascular problems. The normal range of this important steroid, however is listed at 30 ng/ml. Other sources point to 50 as a preferable level of D3. I know I function better with a higher level!
So whether you have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and get the blues in the winter, or are interested in heading off cancer, diabetes and heart disease, find a good source of vitamin D3 - NOT D2 (made by plants and useless in the human body). 5,000 international units per day is what all the research is showing is useful.
If you need help with that, your Rockford chiropractor is ready to perform a thorough exam to find out what you really need and in what sequence.

Slipping Kneecaps!

Just had a chance to observe the muscle condition of a young lady whose kneecaps keep slipping out of position. Let me ask you what YOU would expect if the muscles of both thighs do not share an even tone? What do you think would happen if the muscles to the right of both kneecaps are way tighter than all the other muscles in the region? YOU'RE RIGHT! The kneecaps will move out of position.

Now let's just say you have a Rockford Chiropractor who uses the NUCCA procedure correct the atlas subluxation complex (which is causing this loss of normal tone). Would you expect the muscles to go to a normal and even tone? YES, YOU WOULD. And that's exactly what those muscles did last week for this young lady.

So if you are an athlete who is relentlessly pursuing the leading edge in your own performance, and if you are ready to achieve a higher level by ensuring correct muscle and spinal balance, call us to find out if we can help.

1st Step Chiropractic, S.C. 4519 Highcrest Rd. Rockford, IL 815-398-4500.