Chiropractic and Whiplash

Whiplash

Whiplash usually occurs when there is an unusual, unexpected and sudden impact to the body that causes the neck to be thrown in one direction then another very quickly. Of the millions of chiropractic patients each year, many have suffered from a whiplash injury, as whiplash is one of the most common outcomes of an automobile accident with 15-30% of victims suffering from neck pain after an automobile accident.

When the spine is thrown from one direction to another it is usually the rebounding that causes the most damage.  The head is also usually turned to the right or left to a small degree during the accident, which makes the injury more prevalent.  It can cause soft tissue damage, muscle damage, tendon damage and damage to other ligaments.  This damage can range from sever to mild, and be slow or fast healing. It is also capable of causing long term damage that results in chronic pain. Studies show that 50-88% of whiplash sufferers continue to experience pain and some disability for years after the accident.

Spinal Cord Damage

 

The severity of the accident will determine the range of damage. Whiplash can cause symptoms from stiffness to severe pain, and in some cases paralysis or death. The symptoms usually start with soreness and stiffness in the neck, possibly accompanied by a headache, and begin immediately after the accident. Numbness, tingling, pins and needles between the shoulder blades, arm and hand, ear ringing, dizziness, hearing loss, blurred vision, eye pain, sensitivity to light, and other visual impairments are some of the symptoms that accompany whiplash.

In addition, a concussion caused by the rough jarring of the head that throws the brain against the skull, may accompany whiplash. Concussion symptoms are headaches, restlessness, irritability, insomnia, moodiness, depression, and emotional jitters. These symptoms are known as Post Concussion Syndrome.

The Medical Approach

A person involved in an accident should first be sure that there is no life threatening injuries. This is performed by emergency medicine specialists, and is prevalent in keeping the patient out of danger. Once the serious life threatening injuries have been ruled out the victim needs to be examined by a doctor of chiropractic.

The Chiropractic Approach

Chiropractic care helps alleviate pain and correct the spinal damage that was caused by the whiplash. Many whiplash sufferers are forced to live out their life in pain and taking painkillers to be able to cope with that pain, but those that seek chiropractic treatment can return to normal health through spinal adjustments.  Even whiplash sufferers that have let years pass may be helped by chiropractic. If the spine is not structurally sound, as in the case of whiplash that is untreated, it may lead to other illness and injury over time.

If you have been involved in an accident, no matter how long ago, and are in pain see your local chiropractor for an examination and relief.

Chiropractic and Headaches

Headaches

Sooner or later all of us will get a headaches, as it is the most common pain known to humanity. For more than 20% of the population headaches are chronic or recurrent. There are over 20 varieties of headache, and they can all have different causes.

Headaches may be caused by noxious chemicals, bright lights, sinus trouble, eye problems, high blood pressure, diseased teeth, ear problems, vision problems, fever, infection, brain tumors, epileptic seizures, carbon monoxide, alcohol consumption, drug side effects, and most commonly post traumatic headaches caused by accidents.

The arteries in the brain and skull; the veins; the dura mater, tissue, covering the brain and certain nerves in the head called cranial nerves are the culprits of the headache

The Migraine Syndrome

Six to eight percent of the population suffers from the migraine syndrome headache. In this syndrome the symptoms occur before the headache begins. Dizziness, visual problems, red eyes, swelling of the eyes, tearing, muscle contraction, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea are all migraine syndrome symptoms. Migraine pain is most commonly felt in the temples but can be located in the head face or neck and last a few minutes or a few days and be mild or sever agony.

The Cluster Headache

Cluster headaches come on suddenly, are throbbing and spread from the nostril to the side of the face. They may occur from one time to several times a day in clusters lasting weeks or months. It subsides as quickly as it began.

Treatment

Treatment for headaches will depend on what has caused the headache. Headaches due to visual problems may be treated with eyeglasses. Headaches caused by sinus infection may be relieved by getting the infection under control.

Painkillers usually treat the most common headache, the migraine. Aspirin, codeine, ergotamine tartrate, phenelzine sulfate and methysergide are among the most used drug treatments, however with the narcotic drug treatment there is a high risk of addiction.

The Chiropractic Approach

Chiropractic is not a headache therapy or treatment, however research shows that there is a relationship between the spinal column and headaches, in a study of 600 patients who suffered from headaches for 2 to 25 years showed than spinal column injury was the most prevalent factor in the headaches.

Chiropractic professionals are the only trained healing professionals in how to analyze and correct spinal nerve stress called vertebral subluxations. Vertebral subluxation weakens the body, lowers vitality and gives way to disease and illness that would have normally been kept at bay by a healthy spine. In 100 cases of headache sufferers, research showed improvement in headache symptoms when cervical (neck) adjustments were performed by a chiropractor.

Instead of swallowing painkillers, and masking symptoms, a chiropractic examination should be performed to determine if vertebral subluxations are related to your headache, and if chiropractic treatment will be helpful in reducing symptoms

Boost Your Immune Function Through Chiropractic Spinal Adjustments

Your Amazing Immune System

Today researchers know there is a critical link between the nervous system and the immune system.

In 1974, physiologist Dr. Korr proposed that “spinal lesions” (similar to the vertebral subluxation complex) are associated with exaggerated sympathetic (a division of the nerve system) activity.

The Vertebral Subluxation Complex

Korr IM: “Andrew Taylor Still memorial lecture: Research and Practice – a century later.” J Am Osteopathy Assoc 1974 73:362.

Sympathetic activity has been shown to release immune regulatory cells into the blood circulation, which alters immune function. This was reported by Drs. Murray, Irwin, and Reardon The authors stated:

“Growing evidence suggests that immune function is regulated in part by the sympathetic nervous system. Sympathetic nerve endings densely innervate lymphoid tissue such as the spleen, lymph nodes and the thymus, and lymphoid cells have beta 2 adregenergic receptors.”

Immune System Structures

Basically what they were saying is that the nervous system has a direct effect on the immune system due to the nerve supply to the important immune system organs.

Murray DR, Irwin M, Reardon CA, et al. “Sympathetic and immune interactions during dynamic exercise. Mediation via a beta 2 – adrenergic-dependent mechanism.” Circulation 1992 86(1): 203

One of the most important studies showing the positive effect chiropractic care can have on the immune system and general health was performed by Ronald Pero, Ph.D., chief of cancer prevention research at New York’s Preventive Medicine Institute and professor of medicine at New York University. Dr. Pero measured the immune systems of people under chiropractic care as compared to those in the general population and those with cancer and other serious diseases.

Chiropractic care boosts your immune function and your quality of life!

 

In his initial three-year study of 107 individuals who had been under chiropractic care for five years or more, the chiropractic patients were found to have a 200% greater immune competence than people who had not received chiropractic care, and 400% greater immune competence than people with cancer and other serious diseases. The immune system superiority of those under chiropractic care did not diminish with age. Dr. Pero stated:

“When applied in a clinical framework, I have never seen a group other than this chiropractic group to experience a 200% increase over the normal patients. This is why it is so dramatically important. We have never seen such a positive improvement in a group…”

Pero R. “Medical Researcher Excited By CBSRF Project Results.” The Chiropractic Journal, August 1989; 32.

The chiropractic immunology connection was strengthened in 1991 when Patricia Brennan, Ph.D. and other researchers conducted a study that found improved immune response following chiropractic treatment. Specifically, the study demonstrated the “phagocytic respiratory burst of polymorphnuclear neutrophils (PMN) and monocytes were enhanced in adults that had been adjusted by chiropractors.” In other words, the cells that act like “Pac-Man” eating and destroying bad cells are enhanced through chiropractic care.

Killer White Blood Cells

Brennan P, Graham M, Triano J, Hondras M. “Enhanced phagocytic cell respiratory bursts induced by spinal manipulation: Potential Role of Substance P.” J Manip Physiolog Ther 1991; (14)7:399-400.

Another important study was performed at the Sid E. Williams Research Center of Life Chiropractic University. The researchers took a group of HIV positive patients and adjusted them over a six-month period. What they found was that the “patients that were adjusted had an increase of forty-eight percent (48%) in the CD4 cells (an important immune system component).” These measurements were taken at the patients’ independent medical center, where they were under medical supervision for the condition. The control group (the patients that were not adjusted) did not demonstrate this dramatic increase in immune function, but actually experienced a 7.96% decrease in CD4 cell counts over the same period!

CD4 Cells

Selano JL, Hightower BC, Pfleger B, Feeley-Collins K, Grostic JD. “The Effects of Specific Upper Cervical Adjustments on the CD4 Counts of HIV Positive Patients.” The Chiro Research Journal; 3(1); 1994.

A paper published in 1987 found a connection between the nervous system and the immune system through endocrine channels. Dr. Felton and his team of researchers reported that “the neurotransmitter norepinephrine is present in sympathetic nerve fibers that innervate lymphoid organs and act on the spleen.” The authors proposed that norepinephrine in lymphoid organs plays a significant role in the regulation of the immune system. They stated:

“Stressful conditions lead to altered measures of immune function, and altered susceptibility to a variety of diseases. Many stimuli, which primarily act on the central nervous system, can profoundly alter immune responses. The two routes available to the central nervous system are neuroendocrine channels and autonomic nerve channels.”

Thus the immune system can be affected by the nerve system through the connections with the endocrine and the autonomic nervous system.

Felton DL, Felton SY, Belonged DL, et al. “Noradrenergic sympathetic neural interactions with the immune system: structure and function.” Immunol Rev. 1987 Dec;100:225-60.

What exactly is a “Subluxation”??

 

The Vertebral Subluxation

Our bodies  naturally strive to maintain the highest level of health they can. Sometimes, however, obstacles are put in their way. The result is dis-ease. The role of chiropractic is to correct one of the major sources of those obstacles:  The Vertebral Subluxation .

The Vertebral Subluxation

Misalignments

From the time we are developing in our mother’s wombs physical stress begins to take its’ toll upon our bodies.  A German medical study revealed that 80 % of ALL children are born have Vertebral Subluxations present in their upper neck.  This is attributed to not just how the fetuses were carried, but also the often significant strain upon the newborn’s neck during the delivery process.

Childbirth can be traumatic

Factor in the following statistics and it is very clear that EVERYONE should have their spines checked to ensure they are not harboring life threatening Spinal Subluxations:

50 % of ALL children fall from a changing table or high chair within their first year.

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has calculated that the average child is involved in over 2,500 traumas before they reach the age of 7.  Anyone who has children may even think that is a conservative number when they think back to just how many bumps, falls, wrestling matches that went wrong, and playground incidents that occurred during those first 7 years.

Long hours sitting in school or work (the human body is actually designed to squat-NOT sit) strain the ligaments that support the spine and give rise to abnormal spinal mechanics.

Sports injuries that occur throughout school and also in the many “weekend warriors” that love to relive their days of past glory.

On the Job work injuries

Lifting Improperly

Car accidents, both minor and major damage the ligaments of the spine and give rise to long standing Spinal Subluxations and premature spinal degeneration.

Inactivity due to getting older and just not being as active as we once were.  Exercise and proper spinal movement can reduce the chances of Subluxations in your spine by 85%.

So how do these Subluxations affect our health?

Instructions from our brain are sent to all parts of the body as electrical impulses. These impulses travel along the spinal cord, which subdivides into individual nerve fibers throughout the body.

The spinal cord is protected by a “tunnel” of small, interlocking bones called the spinal column. The individual bones are called vertebrae. Nerves branch off from the spinal cord through small openings between the vertebrae. When each vertebra is in its proper position, the nerve fiber passes through without a problem. Nerve impulses can flow freely, racing to and from the brain at incredible speeds.

Although the spinal column is a sturdy structure, individual vertebrae can become misplaced. When that happens, it’s called a Vertebral Subluxation.

The most common causes of Vertebral Subluxation listed above were all physical stressors, what is important to understand is that they can occur from 3 causes, the physical mentioned, Chemical (drugs both prescription or recreational), and Emotional causes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dis-ease

When spinal bones are not in their proper place, the openings between them can narrow. The vertebrae can impinge on the nerves branching out from these spaces. This is commonly, though inaccurately, known as a “pinched nerve.”

This interferes with the normal flow of energy along the nerve fibers. Messages traveling along the nerves will be distorted. If the full, normal energy flow cannot pass to and from the brain, some part of the body will be adversely affected.

A Medical Doctor named Dr. Henry Winsor set out to discredit Chiropractic.  His study consisted of performing dissections on hundreds of human and animal cadavers.  He understood the Chiropractic concept that wherever a Spinal Subluxation was present, the tissues, organs and muscles controlled by those particular spinal nerves would not function properly.

His study found that just about every single cadaver examined demonstrated pathological changes of the tissues, organs, or muscles that were innervated (or controlled) by the spinal nerves exiting from the spine at the level of the Vertebral Subluxation.

His study not only failed to discredit Chiropractic, it became a landmark study that substantiated the absolute need to receive regular Chiropractic evaluations and care.

 

How do you know if you have Subluxations present in your spine?

Sometimes, the fact that there is nerve interference becomes obvious. We experience pain, soreness, irregularity, weakness, digestive disturbances or other health imbalances.

These are symptoms of the body’s dis-ease. They are NOT problems in themselves. They are outward alarms that a part of the human system isn’t working right.

Ignoring these symptoms, or silencing them with pills, doesn’t do anything to help the real problem. Unless we get to the root of the problem — the nerve interference — the affected organ will continue to function improperly and its health will decline.

The Silent Killer

Unfortunately, there are many cells and organs in the body that do not send out any alarms to alert us that they are not functioning at 100% capacity. Because of vertebral subluxations, they will not be receiving a normal flow of energy. The instructions from the body’s Innate Intelligence will not be getting through properly.

If a subluxation continues undetected, the organ may suffer great damage, yet we won’t even be aware of it! Because subluxations can destroy a person’s health without any visible signs, they are often called “the silent killer.”

If you wait until your body sends out pain or other clear signals, it may too late. You need to stop subluxations before they have a chance to do major damage and before they become difficult to correct.

You — and your entire family — need to visit a Chiropractor regularly to make sure you can all lead a healthy, Subluxation-free life.

Why try Chiropractic?

Problems often begin in the womb

Even before we are born, while being carried in our mother’s wombs, physical stress is put upon our developing spines.

Childbirth can be traumatic

A German medical study proved that 80% of ALL children born have misalignments (referred to as SUBLUXATIONS) of their neck due to the positions they were in while being carried in their mother’s wombs, and also due to the birthing process itself.

The study also went on to confirm that 95% of the “problems” that the children in the study presented were eliminated by Chiropractic adjustments  to the newborn’s necks, which the Subluxations were detected.  The problems reported included excessive crying/irritation, difficulty sleeping, and inability to feed properly.

The following well documented statistics further contribute to the reason as to WHY we ALL should undergo Chiropractic evaluations and if necessary, treatment to correct the Spinal Subluxations that we present in our spines.

By the time a child is one year old, 50% of ALL children have fallen from a changing table or high chair.

By the time a child reaches the age of 7, they have been involved in over 2,500 traumas (OSHA-Occupational Health & Safety Administration Stats).

Factor in traumas due to sports, sitting in school for many hours, abnormal postural positions associated with using the computer or playing video games.

As we grow older unfortunately the trauma associated with car accidents enter our lives and further contribute to the amount of physical stress and disturbances to the normal mechanics of the spine.

Why these traumas are so important to acknowledge is because they weaken out spines and allow the Subluxations to progress and compress the delicate spinal nerves that exit our spines and carry the life giving neurological impulses that originate in our brains and enable our bodies to function properly.

Spinal Subluxations Decrease your life potential

Research at the University of Colorado documented that as soon as a Subluxation occurs, the pressure on the delicate spinal nerves causes a 40% loss of nerve conductivity or loss of function.  When allowed to persist, that loss of function increases up to 60%.  Since these nerves innervate or supply for our major organs and muscles to function properly, any interference can result in a decline in our health and overall quality of health.

Chiropractors are specially trained to locate areas of the spine that present Subluxations and to restore normal function to those vertebral segments.

Failure to correct these misaligned vertebra will result in continued nerve interference, dysfunction of the organs/muscles/tissues innervated by those spinal nerves, and even premature degenerative changes of the spine at those involved levels.

To prevent health issues and to ensure a long and productive life is exactly WHY we ALL should consider Chiropractic as a safe and natural health care option!

Welcome to Bryan Bajakian Chiropractor

Dr. Bryan Bajakian

Bryan Bajakian has led an exemplary life. Having grown up in northern New Jersey, he enjoyed a happy and supportive home life, while he excelled in his sports endeavors.

Bryan Bajakian was a varsity wrestler on the famous Pascack Hills
“Team of the Century”

While in high school he was fortunate enough to be a varsity member of the Pascack Hills state championship wrestling team.  His senior year on the team they set a national pin record and over 25 years later, that very same team continued to win honors, being named as “The Team of the Century”.

Bryan Bajakian was the Physical Fitness Champion of New Jersey

Also while in high school, Bryan Bajakian overcame great odds and personal challenges.  After undergoing surgery to repair a wrestling injury to his knee, through great determination and focus, he won the New Jersey Physical Fitness Championship that was held by the United States Marine Corps..  The amazing part of that particular accomplishment was that the day he won the championship was also the very same day that he was supposed to take his first steps without the use of his crutches.  During the entire two months that he had to wear the 40lb. cast that extended from his toes to the upper part of his thigh, he continued to work his upper body out so he would only need to focus on rehabilitating his leg once the cast was removed.

Bryan went on to wrestle at Southern Connecticut State College (now University) and was a starting member of the team.  His freshman year the team won the New England Championships.

Bryan Bajakian KNEW Chiropractic was his calling in life

While attending Southern, he was introduced to Chiropractic, quite unexpectedly, through a friend.  As he would recall later, it was as “divine intervention” occurred and he found his true calling in life. to become a Chiropractor.

Bryan obtained his Doctorate at Life Chiropractic University

Bryan applied to Life Chiropractic College, in Marietta Georgia, and received an early admission.  Strong in his resolve, he packed up and moved down to Georgia where he began his education and training as a Chiropractor.

Bryan rushing past the opposition and scoring on behalf of Life Chiropractic College’s Rugby team

During his education at Life Chiropractic College, Bryan remained true to his athletic passion and was a first string member of Life’s Championship Rugby Team.

In 1983 Bryan received his degree as a Doctor of Chiropractic and returned home to New Jersey where he began to prepare for his future as a Chiropractor, helping those in need.  While taking the State Boards for the several licenses that he currently holds, Dr. Bajakian continued his education and training and became certified as a Chiropractic Sports Team Physician.

This initial certification proved to be an important part in his life, since having such credentials enabled him to become the Team Physician for 2 local high schools, which greatly assisted him in achieving the reputation of being an honest, and well trained doctor within the community.

Throughout his professional career, Bryan Bajakian, D.C. went above and beyond to benefit his patients and the many people within his community who his charitable efforts benefited.

Throughout his professional career, Bryan Bajakian, D.C. regularly received additional educational training and amassed an impressive list of post graduate certifications.

Some of his achievements are:

• Advanced Certification in Chiropractic Pediatrics by the World Children’s Wellness Foundation and Parker Chiropractic College.
• Certified in Webster’s Intrauterine Constraint Technique by the World Children’s Wellness Foundation and the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.
• Certified in Electro-diagnostic Studies by Bloomfield College-1998
• Diplomat of the National Chiropractic Board of Examiners
• Masters Certification in the performance of A.M.A. Permanent Medical Impairment Examinations – 7/93
• Certified Chiropractic Team Physician by National Chiropractic College and the American Chiropractic Association relating to Sports Injuries – 12/84
• Certified in Paraspinal Electro-myographic Scanning – 10/90
• Certified in Specialty Field of Spinal and Skeletal Disorders by Dr. Russell Erhardt, D.C., D.A.C.B.R. – 1982
• Certified Emergency Medical Technician
• Post Graduate Certification by National Chiropractic College in:
• Physical Examination Procedures and Diagnosis
• Disability Evaluation and the Rating of Physical Impairment
• Immobilization for the Orthopedic Specialist
• Chiropractic Orthopedic  Reontenology

In addition to his academic accomplishments, Bryan Bajakian, D.C. also led by example in his community service work.  Each month a different charitable cause was focused on in his practice. Examples of his charitable efforts are:

• Jersey Cares-Raising coats for those in need-His final year in practice he efforts raised 437 coats.

  

  Jersey Cares

• Toys for Tots

  

  Toys for Tots

• Shelter Our Sisters battered women’s charities

  

  Shelter Our Sisters

• American Heart Association

  

  The American Heart Association

• Local Food Shelters

  

  Dr. Bryan Bajakian’s office was a regular source of Donations to the local food pantries

• St. Jude’s Children Hospital

  

  St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital

• National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

  

  National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

• Kid’s Day International-Child Health and Safety Awareness Day

  

  Kids Day International

Dr. Bryan Bajakian founded the Physician’s Community Outreach Program

Dr. Bajakian also founded the Physician’s Community Outreach Program, a non-profit organization that provided well researched, professional presentations to all groups and organizations that were interested in quality speakers.

Stress Workshop

Headache Workshop

Oh That Aching Back

A Parent’s Guide To ADD/ADHD

How To Age Gracefully

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Keeping Your Spine Fit & Healthy In The Work Place

Scoliosis Workshop

Achieving Your Optimal Health Potential

A Parent’s Guide To Childhood Ear Infections

Childhood Vaccine Workshop

Multiple Sclerosis Workshop

There Has Never Been A Better Time To Be A Chiropractic Patient

Dr. Bajakian served his beloved profession in the capacity of a member of the Board of Directors of the Northern New Jersey Chiropractic Society.  During the decade that he was a member of the board, he was asked to oversee numerous committees that benefited both the public and the Chiropractic profession in the state of New Jersey.

Up until his final days of active practice, Dr. Bryan Bajakian continued to offer his professional and personal best to those who were in need.

Currently, through a consulting company he founded named Educational Business Systems, he consults other doctors on how to properly educate their patients and how to effectively manage their practices.

Chiropractic care was not just a profession that Bryan Bajakian, D.C. took upon himself, it was his calling in life and his passion.