DOCTOR’S BLOG 

Every week new patients call Pierce Clinic asking for help stating that they are suffering with “headaches”. Often their doctors have diagnosed them as “common” headaches, “stress” headaches, “migraine” headaches and so on. At the end of the day, these individuals are frustrated as they feel miserable while experiencing decreased quality of life. They have been prescribed various medications and spent an immense amount of money while experiencing little, if any, relief. After exhaustive efforts to find relief, they have yet to discover the actual CAUSE of the problem let alone the solution.

“It’s Arthritis!”…….are scary words that most patients hate to hear. We have learned that most patients have no idea what arthritis even means. They are just told “you have arthritis and there is nothing we can do for it”. Typically, people think arthritis is just a normal part of aging. I would say that just because something is common does not mean it is normal. The truth is arthritis can be contained, minimized, and even prevented by proper nervous system function and spinal alignment through Upper Cervical Chiropractic care. What is arthritis? Arthritis is a blanket term that means chronic inflammation and/or swelling in a joint. It is often associated with reduced range of motion and common visible signs of wear and tear (degeneration) of the joint. There are actually over 100 types of arthritic conditions including osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Each has different causes and triggers. OA for example is usually caused by years of joint imbalance and/or overuse leading to an accelerated breakdown of the joints and frequently accompanied by pain or discomfort. RA is an autoimmune disease where your body’s own immune system attacks and destroys joints causing pain, swelling and structural damage. PsA is arthritis that occurs with many people who suffer from psoriasis. This type can present swollen “sausage” fingers and toes, lower back pain and foot pain. Despite the different causes of various arthritic conditions, Upper Cervical Chiropractic has been very effective in helping thousands of patients with what you were told was “arthritis”. OSTEOARTHRITIS Osteoarthritis is by far the most common arthritic condition we see in our clinic. It can be associated with pain anywhere in your skeletal system having associated neck pain, back pain, hip pain, knee pain, shoulder pain and hand/foot pain. It is mainly caused by decades of spinal misalignment and poor posture that places abnormal stress on a joint causing it to wear down faster. For example, a patient that came in with one sided hip pain revealed that her hips were clearly misaligned with one side higher then the other. This placed abnormal tension and pressure on the joint wearing it down over time to the point of severe pain. In the neck, OA is often seen with patients that have lost their normal curve which places abnormal weight on the discs supporting the lower joints. This wear and tear, as seen on x-ray, often affects the function of the lower spinal segments. In the same way, we see cases every day where the lower neck is showing arthritic signs while the mid and upper neck appear perfectly normal. The best analogy for this is your car. Your wheels can be misaligned and it will still drive and do all the things you expect your car to do. However, over time one tire will lose its tread faster, brake pads on that side may erode faster, and ball bearings may crack or break due to constant imbalance. Luckily, these parts can be replaced and the car realigned. Replacing body parts is not as easy especially in your spine. The wear and tear of arthritic development takes years, often decades, to become a symptomatic problem. That’s why we encourage patients to have a regular schedule of spinal check-ups to prevent these problems from occurring in the first place. We see many teens and young adults that have not only lost the curve in their neck, but it is sometimes actually reversed. We have also seen some patients recently that are in their early to mid 30’s, even late 20’s, that are starting to show signs of early arthritic and joint breakdown. I typically do not see this until the patient is in their 40’s or 50’s. I personally believe this is aggravated by how much time younger people are spending on their phones and computers. With these poor postures over a period of time, we can surely expect problems later in life. Preventing the joint from breaking down in the first place and preventing arthritic conditions from forming is the best course of action, but the reality is most patients only see a doctor when they develop acute symptoms. This ultimately leads to the question, “Can you help my arthritis?”. The answer is YES! In our experience arthritis and degeneration does not have to be a curse of chronic pain and suffering. By aligning the spine and working to reduce inflammation and swelling, many patients experience a huge decrease in their pain along with increase range of motion, less muscle tightness and a stoppage or slowing down of their arthritic condition. Joints don’t grow back but by improving nervous system function and correcting spinal misalignment, one can expect decreased inflammation and swelling around the joints and you can enjoy a much better quality of life. RA and PsA Patients who are dealing with rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis have systemic, chronic, autoimmune diseases that cause inflammatory reactions, swelling and erosion/disfiguration of their joints. How can a chiropractor help these conditions? It is important to know that chiropractic is not just about aligning the spine. Our focus is in removing pinched nerves and nervous system interference to allow the brain-body connection to function as intended. Research shows that poor posture and spinal misalignment can negatively affect the nervous system and by correcting misalignments that are causing pressure on nerves, chiropractors can restore balance to the nervous system. Research also shows that “poor posture” can negatively affect the immune system, trigger inflammation, and even effect how your body digests food and nutrients. All of these can be a cause to trigger autoimmune diseases. Pierce Clinic has helped countless numbers of patients over the years with RA or PsA. While many factors can play a role in results, the great majority of patients have seen significant improvement in their symptoms, reduced pain, better mood, and a substantial increase in their quality of life. Don’t let a diagnosis of arthritis or joint degeneration scare you. Arthritis pain can be reduced, further damage prevented and life restored. Schedule a consultation today with one of our doctors at Pierce Clinic to find out how you can be helped.

Living with asthma can be a real rollercoaster. It's like you’re always on alert, constantly thinking about when the next attack might hit. And the thing is… asthma isn’t just about the big, obvious attacks that generally need rescue inhalers. It's also about all the little things it complicates. Activities you used to enjoy that now seem out of reach such as sports, long walks, and even playing with your kids can all feel like too much. It’s not just the physical stuff, either, with the stress of constantly worrying about triggers—dust, smoke, pollen, or even cold air—adding another layer to it. You’re always thinking, “What if….?” What if I forget my inhaler? What if I have an attack when I’m alone? When you have asthma, it can feel like you're in a constant battle just to breathe like everyone else. It's a tough place to be, and if you're reading this, chances are you're living it. When Traditional Methods Aren’t Working In dealing with asthma, medications are always a common route. You might be taking daily medications such as Zyrtec, Claritin or Alegra to keep your asthma in check. But sometimes those medications can come at a cost. Headaches and stomach aches are common side effects of these drugs, with some having been known to cause even more serious issues like mood swings and even death. There is also a certain level of unpredictability with these medicines: what works today might not work tomorrow, and you could end up juggling different medications just to breathe a little bit easier. That’s why it’s no surprise that a lot of people with asthma start looking for other options. Natural treatments, complementary therapies, anything that might help them cut down on the meds and feel a little more in control. It’s not that traditional treatments are bad; they can be lifesavers. But it’s frustrating when you’re still struggling with symptoms despite all of these medications. That is where Upper Cervical Chiropractic comes into the picture… a different approach that might just be what you’ve been looking for. If you’re tired of the usual bandaids and wondering if there’s something else out there, we may be the solution. Introducing Upper Cervical Chiropractic Upper Cervical Chiropractic focuses on the top few bones in your neck. You might be wondering, "What does my neck have to do with asthma?”. That is a fair question. When the upper cervical region is misaligned, it can put pressure on the nerves that are responsible for sending the messages that control how your entire body functions. That pressure can lead to all sorts of problems, including inflammation and difficulty breathing. The misalignment may be small enough to cause no pain by itself, but could be the direct cause of your asthmatic condition. By realigning the upper neck misalignment, we have seen conditions like asthma find immediate relief and in other cases, we have seen progressive improvement in patients’ symptoms over time. The beauty of Upper Cervical Care, specifically the Advanced Orthogonal (AdvO) correction we do here at Pierce Clinic, is that the re-alignment occurs through the use of a gentle and precise instrument correction. We're not talking about dramatic cracking or popping noises you might associate with traditional chiropractic care. This is about a more subtle and precise correction that can have a huge impact on your overall health and wellness. The potential benefits of this type of care in regards to asthma are pretty exciting. According to one study, 47 individuals of various ages who suffered from asthma were treated using upper cervical chiropractic. Many of these individuals were children or young adults. The results were astounding! Nearly all of the participants saw significant benefits from the upper cervical chiropractic treatment. Asthma symptoms were at least lessened if not eliminated completely. What To Do Next If you or a loved one suffer from asthma, make an appointment TODAY to see if AdvO care can benefit you. An examination by one of our expert Doctors may reveal an underlying issue that could be treated effectively at our clinic. Why be stuck taking prescription medications for what is merely the symptom of a C-1 or C-2 misalignment? Call our office to schedule an appointment today. Want to read more? The asthma study can be found here: https://www.titronics.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Asthma.pdf .

Historically, Chiropractic is well known for being a safe and effective treatment for many common conditions such as headaches, neck pain, back pain and others. Our goal is to restore the body’s natural function that improves health and overall wellness. This often times includes conditions that you may not think fit into what you would typically call “common.” Multiple Sclerosis, known as “MS”, is a chronic, unpredictable, and often times, debilitating disease that targets the central nervous system, the brain, and the spinal cord. It affects millions of people worldwide. The trademark sign of MS is the “plaquing” or calcium build up on the brain tissue itself. Because it directly effects the nervous system, common symptoms include numbness, tingling, loss of coordination, vertigo, fatigue, brain fog and more. It also effects people differently with some cases being relatively mild and manageable while others can be completely debilitating. Additionally, with the cause of MS being relatively unknown, new studies have shown that almost 75% of patients diagnosed with MS have experienced some sort of significant trauma prior to the diagnosis. Another connection to MS has been found in patients having problems with the flow of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) around the brain and spinal cord. It has been noted that misalignment of the bones in the upper neck have been linked to compression on these vital pathways. In Advanced Orthogonal (AdvO) Chiropractic care, we have seen remarkable improvement in many MS patients. By safely and gently re-aligning the upper neck bones, an Upper Cervical Doctor can restore not only the brain-body nervous system connection, but also improve the CSF flow toward its normal range. In fact, published research has shown Upper Cervical Chiropractic directly improves brain and nervous system function. Two of these major studies have been published on Upper Cervical Chiropractic and its results with MS conditions. A 2001 study followed 44 patients with MS under Upper Cervical care and 91% reported improvement after treatment. Another second study of 77 patients with MS was published in 2015 that also showed statistical improvements in MS symptoms after Upper Cervical Chiropractic adjustments.  These groundbreaking studies in Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care reveal why the AdvO procedure, developed and refined here at Pierce Clinic, are a key contributor to improving the lives of those dealing with MS. If you or a loved one is suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, schedule a FREE consult with one of our expert Doctors TODAY.

Pierce Clinic focuses on optimizing the body’s natural healing abilities and the promotion of overall health and wellness. While AdvO (Advanced Orthogonal) care is centered on maximizing the functioning of the nervous system, a nutrient-rich diet is necessary to support cellular repair and tissue regeneration, as well as maintaining your overall health. Just as a well-tuned car requires good-quality fuel to perform at its best, our bodies also need proper nutrition to heal and function optimally. This is the very reason why we emphasize the importance of consuming a balanced diet that provides essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. These would include things like vitamin A, vitamin D, Omega 3, zinc, vitamin C and plenty of water. Enhanced Nutrient Absorption: Proper spinal alignment aids in the optimal functioning of your digestive system. When the spine is misaligned, nerve interference can occur that disrupts the communication between the brain and digestive organs. The AdvO correction helps remove these interferences, allowing for improved digestion and nutrient absorption. Immune System Support: A well-functioning immune system is vital for overall health as it is the master system in how well your body responds to viruses, bacteria, illnesses and infections. Good nutrition is critical in strengthening the immune system. Coupled with AdvO care to ensure the proper functioning of your nervous system, your diet also helps in controlling how fast and effectively your immune response is. Nervous System Support: The central nervous system is responsible for all of your bodily functions as well as cognitive development, learning and behaviors, especially in children. Misalignments in the upper cervical spine can disrupt the flow of nerve signals, potentially causing a host of physical disorders and even affecting your neurological development. AdvO care aims to correct these misalignments in a gentle and precise way to optimize nerve function and support the development of healthy nerve signals throughout your body. This being said, nerves use a lot of nutrients and trace minerals and a well-balanced diet is essential for a healthy nervous system. Overall Wellness and Prevention: A holistic approach to health focuses on not just treating symptoms but getting to the source of the problem to prevent future health issues. Combining nutrition and AdvO care provides a comprehensive approach that addresses the underlying causes of health concerns and supports the body's natural healing abilities. Need help getting your health and wellness journey back on track? Schedule a FREE consultation with one of our expert Doctors TODAY. 

In 2021, Pierce Clinic of Chiropractic introduced into its practice the most powerful multi-wave therapeutic laser in the world. Since then it has helped hundreds of patients suffering from chronic spinal arthritis, disc injuries, ligament tears, muscle strains and much more. Why MLS Laser Works The MLS M6 laser is the only laser in the world that produces different wavelengths of laser energy at the same time. By using these specific wavelengths along with a patented delivery system, there is a powerful synergistic healing effect. Many patients have experienced results in as little as just a few treatments and there is zero risk of burn. No other class IV laser can say that! What does MLS Laser do and how can it help me? At Pierce Clinic, this MLS laser is a supportive and versatile tool used for patient care. The concentrated light energy penetrates into the tissue stimulating healing at a cellular level. It is a non-invasive, safe and effective treatment used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation and promote wound/scar healing and soft tissue repair. Many patients have experienced long lasting results with minimal to no follow-up as they maintain great quality of life. In addition to the conditions listed above that have been helped by the MLS laser, it has also been used on athletes expediting recovery from sprains, patients accelerating recovery from rotator cuff surgery and post knee replacement, as well as patients who have had spinal fusions. The list is endless. Chiropractically speaking, it has assisted in stabilizing patients who have struggled to hold their atlas correction, particularly after whiplash injuries. My Favorite Success Story One of my favorite cases involves a patient who had been under upper cervical care for 15+ years. She felt amazing when she was holding her adjustment. But due to her challenging history, she struggled to hold her adjustment often requiring a correction 1-2 times per month at best. Unfortunately, she then experienced an injury that resulted in major disc and neck instability. She began coming into the clinic 4-5 days a week unable to hold her adjustment as her cervical misalignment was fluctuating drastically. Not long after her injury, Pierce Clinic brought in the MLS laser. I immediately recommended a protocol of treatment to help stabilize and strengthen her upper neck. After just 12 sessions of laser therapy, she held her next atlas adjustment for 6 months, something she had been unable to do for more than 10 years. Fast forward three years…. she is still holding her adjustment better then ever. She is able to live life fully without fear of “losing her adjustment”. Since this life changing case, I have recommended many patients for MLS laser treatments with the goal of strengthening and stabilizing the cervical spine in order for the patients to hold their adjustments better. And nearly every case has been successful! How can I find out if MLS Laser is for me? Ask your doctor if you are a candidate for MLS laser therapy and schedule your evaluation today. Whether its chronic arthritis, post-operative recovery, new injuries such as sprains or strains, old injuries or conditions that have not responded to other treatments or interventions, or simply wanting to hold your atlas adjustment better, MLS laser may be exactly what you need.

As we celebrate Valentine’s Day during the month of February, it is not surprising that this month is also recognized as Heart Health Month. For those that don’t know, overall heart health and wellness has become somewhat of a crisis in the US, with one out of every three adults diagnosed with high blood pressure. Even more alarming is the fact that, according to the CDC, only about half of these individuals have their high blood pressure effectively managed. These two factors are what contribute to the fact that heart disease is BY FAR the leading cause of death in the US with almost 700,000 people a year dying and over 50 million affected. Shockingly, this even surpasses cancer by almost 90,000 individuals. So why is Heart Health Month so important and how does chiropractic affect high blood pressure and heart disease? In 2007, a study conducted by the University of Chicago Medical Center focused on 50 patients in the early stages of high blood pressure and hypertension. These patients were assessed by the University Hospital and an Upper Cervical practitioner and were identified as having a misalignment of their atlas bone. Over the course of 8 weeks, 25 of the patients were treated with upper cervical chiropractic care, while the other 25 receiving placebo or “fake” corrections. What they found… Of the 25 patients who received an actual adjustment, all 25 (100%) experienced significant changes to their blood pressure levels. The average decrease in the test group was 14 points in the top blood pressure number (systolic) and 8 points in the bottom number (diastolic) compared to the placebo group. The authors noted that the improvement in blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic readings) following the correction of the Atlas misalignment was comparable to the results of giving patients two different blood pressure-lowering drugs simultaneously. Again….100% of those patients who received the upper cervical correction had a significant decrease in their blood pressure. How does the atlas vertebrae affect blood pressure? First, the atlas protects the brainstem, which is directly responsible for transmitting electrical signals throughout the body. Think of this as the doorway between your brain, and the rest of your body. If the atlas is misaligned, it puts pressure on the brainstem which can cause body systems to go haywire, including those that regulate your blood pressure. Second, the alignment of the neck bones (cervical spine) can also directly affect blood and oxygen flow to the brain. Each of these bones has small holes called foramen which allow passage of the arteries that provide oxygen to your brain from your heart. If this area is misaligned, the flow can be disrupted, similar to how a kink in a garden hose can stop the flow of water. The Takeaway Our Doctors at Pierce Clinic of Chiropractic are experts in assessing and correcting issues related to the upper cervical area of your spine. Using our state-of-the-art AdvO technique we can effectively identify the source of the problem and correct it, helping to manage nervous system related issues like high blood pressure or hypertension. If you or someone you know is dealing with high blood pressure or hypertension, celebrate Heart Health Month by scheduling an evaluation with us TODAY.

Millions of people worldwide suffer from headaches. It is one of the most common ailments in the world. Often, headaches are described as an intense pressure in the head, like the brain itself is going to burst, but did you know that the brain itself cannot generate pain? In fact, all head pain must come from a cause outside of the brain.

Growing up, chiropractic care was not a part of my life. My parents used medical care when necessary, but relatively speaking we didn’t need much interaction with the health care world. My introduction to chiropractic came when I was in my 20s and my roommate’s girlfriend was trying to stir up business for her boss… a chiropractor. This initial introduction began an interest in chiropractic due, in part, to the effects that I experienced physically under chiropractic care, as well as a peaked interest in the idea of body health in general. The process took time to develop, but has now manifested with the result of a career change, a move across the country, completion of chiropractic school, and commitment to practicing and honing my skills as a chiropractor; all in the pursuit of ‘what is chiropractic?’ and ‘how can it help my family, friends, and others around me?