Physical Structure
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Physical Structure |
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ChiropracticChiropractic philosophy is based on the scientific premise
that your body is a self-regulating, self-healing organised system. All the
important functions are controlled by the brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves
of the body. TrainingTo become a registered chiropractor in Australia you
must have studied an accredited 5-year chiropractic program conducted at a
University within Australia, or have completed an accredited program overseas
that satisfies the requirements set by the Australian Chiropractors Registration
Boards. About The PractitionerAdam R. Nichols received his Diploma of Doctor of Chiropractic and Diploma of Doctor of Osteopathy in 1978 through the Sydney College of Chiropractic & Osteopathy in Ashfield. He holds current registration to practice with the NSW Chiropractors and Osteopaths Registration Board and is licensed as a Chiropractic Radiographer. MethodologyAdam has always treated his patients using the Wholistic Model, incorporating Osteopathic / Chiropractic protocols with the basic physical therapies such as; interferential electro-impulse therapy, ultrasound therapy, infrared treatment, massage, applied kinesiology spinal stressology and corrective exercise programs. Adam's Association MembershipsChiropractors Association of Australia (CAA) Currently there are two universities within Australia that have chiropractic degree programs. The RMIT University in Melbourne, runs a 5-year integrated double Bachelor Degree in Clinical Science/Chiropractic Science. Macquarie University in Sydney, has a 3 year Bachelor of Chiropractic Science which provides the basis for entry into a 2-year Master of Chiropractic which is the qualifying degree for professional registration as a chiropractor. A chiropractic program commenced at Murdoch University in Perth in 2002. Sydney College of Chiropractic and Macquarie University Chiropractic Alumni. Adam is a life member of the Sydney College of Chiropractic & Macquarie University Chiropractic Alumni.
Adam is a registered New South Wales Justice of the Peace. Cranial Osteopathy and ChiropracticThe human body is an integrated unit comprising of: · The mind - with its mental emotional responses. · The biochemic system - involving the food we eat or drink the exposure to toxic pollution and allergens we inhale or absorb internally or externally via the skin. · The physical structures consisting of the nerves, organs, connective tissue and osseous structures, which include the cranium and spine. The body cannot be separated into segments and still function as a unit and neither should the factors affecting the human organism be isolated and treated as unrelated symptoms. It is for this reason that the wholistic approach is vitally important when managing any disease or illness. The early part of this wholistic management is the synchronistic application of naturopathy, cranial osteopathy and chiropractic. Whereas naturopathy deals with the biochemical organic system (the soft body), diet and nutrition, chiropractic and cranial osteopathy deals with the structure (hard body) and alignment of the spine and neurological pathways (wiring) leading from the brain. We can liken the brain to a biological computer that controls all body systems and is housed in a bony vault called the cranium. The spinal cord is the hard wiring running from the brain down a conduit called the spinal canal and the nerve-like wires then exit through holes in the spinal column, called foramen. These nerves then form connections to all body parts and organs, delivering instructions from the brain’s command centre. These are known as motor nerves and work by switching on and off body functions as commanded by the brain. Another set of nerve wiring is called the sensory nerves and they deliver messages back to the brain, letting it know what’s happening in the body systems. The whole process of turning things on and off automatically, is called the autonomic nervous system and works on the same principal as the binary language of computers. It’s either an on message or an off message depending on the feedback the brain receives from the body’s systems. Similar to any electronic circuitry, the body has circuit breakers to prevent overloads. The spinal vertebrae, besides performing the tasks of being a pliable conduit and structural support, can also be likened to circuit breakers which switch off when excessive adverse or conflicting impulses are travelling back along the sensory wiring. These misalignments of the vertebrae are called spinal subluxations and may either be a result of a body malfunction and/or even create a dysfunction, following trauma or strain to the spinal column. Like the spinal column the cranial vault (being made of many segments intermeshing together called sutures), may also become misaligned through accident or birth trauma. This may cause sensory and motor disturbances in the brain’s main computer system and thus interfere with normal sequencing of incoming information or outgoing commands. Because of the extreme amount of information being processed by the autonomic (automatic) brain and spinal cord, disruptions may result as the confusion cascades down the chain of command to the body’s systems. Normal physiology, psychology and emotional responses may be altered as a result and normal reflexes can become inappropriately sequenced, thus triggering incorrect actions or behaviour as a response to what would normally be considered a minor event. For example, an altered behavioural response can be seen when the brains’ primitive reflexes, normally present in infants, are activated in a child or adult which can lead to learning difficulties, dyslexia, ADD & ADHD behaviour in children, or anxiety, panic attacks and psychological distress in adults. The correction of the cranial vault and spinal column subluxations can release the adverse stimuli to the brain and autonomic reflexes, thus greatly assisting in the correction in behavioural disorders and organic malfunctions. Cranial VaultThere are twenty-eight bones in the normal adult skull comprising the Cranial group, the Facial group and the Ossicle group of the inner ear hearing mechanism. All these groups of bones mesh into each other like a jig saw puzzle forming an integrated housing for the brain and sensory organs. The brain is like a central computer system, that regulates all other systems of the body. A command network of wiring called the Central Nervous System connects to all the remote parts and organs of the body via the spinal column. Our brain interprets information from every source from both internal and external stimuli and reacts in accordance to its innate programs. Our personalities, feelings and responses comes from the co-ordination of past experiences and the logical minds' ability to rationalize the consequences of our actions or reactions. The integrity of the cranial vault housing of our brain and upper central nervous system is vital to the correct functioning of our body's computer command centre. Distortions and mechanical stresses to the housing of the bio-computer can cause malfunctions to the basic program sequencing of the primitive responses of the central nervous system. The central nervous system as mentioned comprises the brain and spinal cord and may be divided into a hierarchy of centers. The most evolved thinking and integrating part, the cerebral cortex at the top, the next oldest brain, that of instinct is in the middle and the oldest, the brainstem, lies just above the spinal cord. The brainstem holds the nerve centers controlling the primitive reflexes. While still in the womb and in early months of life the higher centers of our central nervous system are not fully developed, but during this time we are protected and assisted by our primitive reflexes. A reflex does not involve thinking; it is an involuntary response. That is: given an external stimulus (e.g. touch, noise, heat) or internal stimulus (e.g. hunger) there is an automatic, involuntary reaction if the relevant reflex is active. Reflex response varies from simple muscular movement (e.g. moving a body part away from pain) to quite complex reflexes involving body movements, breathing, perceptual and hormonal changes. Primitive reflexes are needed for survival and development in the womb and in early months of life. As higher centers begin to develop enough for conscious control of activity, the involuntary, uncontrollable reflex responses become a nuisance except in special circumstances (e.g. quickly moving a body part away from excessive heat). The reflexes anatomically and neurologically stay for the remainder of our life, but, if all is well, they are integrated into higher centre control. Primitive reflexes normally begin to function in a particular order and are integrated in a specific sequence. If they are retained out of sequence, they may interrupt the development and integration of subsequent reflexes. Should they be retained beyond their normal age of integration they can disturb some or all of the functions of higher centers, including behavior, learning, the control of gross or fine movements and more. Basically, the perception of our internal and external world and our response to it, may be altered, and our conscious life may be disturbed. What causes reflexes to be inappropriately retained? There are no absolute answers but research and experience indicates that trauma of some kind is involved somewhere between conception and early months of life. The trauma can be physical, chemical, hormonal or other forms not yet researched. In the womb during pregnancy many chemicals and hormones can pass through the umbilical cord and all manner of traumatic events can occur in the delicate early months of life. The biggest one appears to be birth trauma including caesarian section. Statistics and clinical observation show that there may also be genetic factors. These appear to be predispositions to a complicated birth, which raise the probability of problems and subsequent trauma. FEAR PARALYSIS REFLEX (FPR) Should this reflex be retained after birth, it can manifest as withdrawal, reticence at being involved in new and different circumstances, the " 'fraidy cat " child who may bear the brunt of teasing by normally adventurous children. The child may even scream loud and long when faced with a new situation or perceived threat. This behavior appears to be due to the reflex's involvement with the parasympathetic nervous system. Most of us are familiar with the "fight or flight" adrenalin rush of the sympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system is intimately involved with the vagus nerve, and may become mechanically trapped in the chest, abdomen or neck. Release of the vagus nerve entrapment corrects one physical factor, which contributes to retained fear paralysis reflex. Inappropriate retention of the fear paralysis reflex can contribute to such conditions as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, elective mutism, hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli and may result in physical and psychological conditions such as Panic Disorders and Attention Deficit Disorder. As it begins first and is normally integrated first, retained fear paralysis reflex may effect the integration of any other primitive reflex. MORO REFLEX The Moro reflex begins to function 9-12 weeks after conception and is normally fully developed at birth. It is the baby's alarm reflex. The reflex is set off by excessive information in any of the baby's senses. For example, a loud noise, bright light, sudden rough touch, sudden stimulation of the balance mechanism such as dropping or tilting, turns on this "one reflex suits all" reaction. The reflex has to cover all eventualities so the child's "fight or flight" "adrenalin rush" hormonal and neurological response is turned on, preparing the child's body for whatever triggered its alarm system. If the Moro reflex persists beyond three to six months of age it may become automatic and therefore an uncontrollable overreaction, thus overriding even the newly acquired higher centre of decision making. Because the reflex stimulates fight or flight reactions, these responses may happen inappropriately from anything in the person's environment. Fight or flight responses stimulates the body ready for fighting or for running so the child may be an aggressive, over-reactive, highly excitable person, unable to turn off and relax. These responses are for pure survival, for very focused fighting or running, not for being perceptive, sensitive or noting the subtleties of circumstances, thus the person may have difficulty functioning socially (which includes the schoolroom, playground, workplace etc.). The child may be very difficult to understand, although they may be loving, perceptive and imaginative at times, yet at the same time, be immature, over-reactive and aggressive. The fight or flight adrenalin response may be inappropriately turned on many times a day and is on standby most of the time, therefore is placing a constant demand on the adrenal glands, which may become fatigued. These glands are very important for the immune system, and if they are fatigued, can lead to allergy and chronic illness. Key Benefits
Capabilities
Adam has had over 25 years experience as a Cranial Osteopath and was the resident Chiropractor & Cranial Osteopath for the Healing Edge Learning Program (H.E.L.P.)
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