Chiropractic Patients Association
"It's not your 'back' - It's your 'bite' ma'am."
When I walked into chiropractor Colin Crossley’s clinic in Birmingham, - on 4th March 1997 – it was after an unrewarding 6 year search for an effective ‘conventional’ (NHS) treatment for my ‘troublesome jaw’ and ‘associated symptoms’ (dizziness, nausea, lower back and rib pain, neck ache, ear pain and more.)
However, I was quite unaware of the ‘deep’, effective, and precise treatment that chiropractic could offer for musculo – skeletal and ‘mechanical injury’. I was then a Pharmacist by profession and so more geared to a drug - orientated approach – (which was not working!) Within 2 treatments I was convinced that chiropractic would help.
I underwent a course of Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT) to stabilise the pelvic rotation and misalignments which were affecting my whole body, literally from head to foot.
Mr Crossley then referred me to cranial dentist, Dr. Robert Nichols, for evaluation and correction of my temporomandibular joints (pertaining to the articulation of the lower jaw). A postural analysis and assessment of cranio-facial distortion was carried out. It was only then that I realised that my misaligned ‘bite’ had produced a distortion in my facial features- to the extent that one eye was clearly higher than the other!
The first symptoms (severe hip pain and spasm, disorientation, falling forwards) started after a difficult and precarious wisdom – tooth extraction where teeth were taken out from the left side (upper and lower) but not from the right! As a result my ‘bite’ misaligned and drifted.
Chiropractic treatment along with the wearing of an ‘orthotic splint’ (deformity corrective) – type dental appliance continuously, helped to prevent any further deterioration.
Also, supporting my jaw with the splint made it easier to correct the ‘compensations’ in my posture – and the adjustments were more stable and held better. Later MRI scans showed the discs which normally form a cushion in the tempro – mandibular joints to be displaced anteriorly on both sides. There was much accompanying bone loss, some condylar damage and soft tissue degeneration. This ‘displacement’ may have been there prior to the extraction and possibly due to a trauma in early childhood or birth trauma. The dental ‘bite’, though, it seems had become distorted by the extraction of wisdom teeth.
My cranio – facial distortion was corrected by Dr Richard Dean FRCS; the renowned cranial dentist and orthodontist who specialises in maxillo - facial injury and TMJ dysfunction.
Once again chiropractic played an important and indispensable role:
Chiropractor John Adam worked alongside Dr. Richard Dean in order to straighten my facial musculature and features. Each time a ‘bone’ or area of my face was ‘moved’ by Dr. Dean, chiropractor John Adam made sure that my posture remained stable and correctly aligned in relation to the ‘new and emerging’ facial structure. My temporomandibular joints had to be ‘off-loaded’ and ‘decompressed’ and the mandible brought forward to allow for this. The ‘space’ created facilitated healing and it is hoped the displaced discal tissue will fall back into place. It took two years to rebuild the dental arches and correct the facial bones. After that the real challenge began(!): re-learning to perform everyday tasks without any supportive splint to my jaw and walking without the assistance of orthotics.
Moving On – Physician Heal Thyself!
Everyday presents me with some physical challenge or other as I’m quite weak muscularly and getting used to the ‘altered dynamics’ of my movements while being careful to stay within my limitations.
Healing and recovery takes a while, yes, but I never think it unreachable. It’s essential though to have the right rehabilitation support.
I’m fighting back, with a regime of neurological exercises, kinesiology, nutrition, walking...and a little meaningful work (setting up my own natural medicine/holistic therapy practice and doing some health writing). Of course, I also have chiropractic if I need it.
Postscript:
I am in great need of a ‘pilates type’ exercise regimen to very gently restore core-strength – but I haven’t been successful in finding a suitable instructor or sports therapist/trainer/ chiropractor with an interest in rehabilitation and ‘myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome’
Any help would be a Godsend – so I can regain my physical fitness soon and have another go at my life.
I would conclude that some of the more unusual theraputic effects of chiropractic treatment were: an overall feeling of well-being, calmness, better sleep, enhanced concentration, creativity, feeling ‘in tune’ and a ‘balanced energy’. Chiropractic is not just great for the physical structure, but also restores the mind and outlook and helps to initiate the body’s innate natural healing systems into action.
Harjot Jyoti Phull
