Network Chiropractic:

(Please note: the following description is for all visitors who seek further information into a special form of chiropractic. For those who seek a little more technical background, the "FYI" is for you. For those souls who want to keep-it- simple, skip the "FYI".) 

   What is Network Spinal Analysis?  
  -- Developed by Dr. Donald Epstein 

    NETWORK CHIROPRACTIC  refers to a network of independent chiropractic offices utilizing Network Spinal Analysis, NSA, in a profound sequence of spinal evaluations and adjusting methodologies developed through the chiropractic profession, and applied in a unique sequence. The clinical work is integrated into a series of levels of care that honor the natural awakening and evolution of the spine and nervous system. The goal of this chiropractic care is to reduce or correct mechanical tensions and interference in the nervous system and spine, by analyzing the patient for distortional patterns or imbalances that may show up in his or her spinal column, pelvis, and extremities. This purpose empowers the the nervous system to better express the body-mind's organizing intelligence and vital life force, enabling a fuller experience of health.

• Why is my nervous system so important?

The relationship of the individual to his or her environment is dependent  upon a clear and flexible nervous system. The person, who is free of of interference and irritability within his or her nervous system, is more effective in connecting with the physical body, the mental/emotional capacity, and the spiritual being. Chiropractic adjustments facilitate the body's inner healing powers to resolve the tensions held within the hard and soft tissues, particularly within the spine and the nervous system.

It is through an extensive nerve network that the innate inborn wisdom of your body coordinates all functions and regenerates and animates all body parts. Every cell of the body is stirred to life by its reception of this vital life giving energy, and its reality is determined by not only the quantity of the nerve impulses, but also by the quality of these "mental" impulses. (FYI: Three to nine nerves connect the life source to every cell in your body.)

When individuals function with a clear and flexible nervous system, they are better able  to recover from life's challenges, physically, chemically, and mentally/emotionally. They adapt to changes more easily and are better able to heal and express their true health capacities.

´´If language is not correct, then what is said is not what is meant; if
what is said is not what is meant, then what must be done remains
undone; if this remains undone, morals and art will deteriorate; if
justice goes astray, the people will stand about in helpless
confusion. Hence there must be no arbitrariness in what is said.
This matters above everything.´´ -- Confucius

• If my nervous system is so important, how do I know that there is something challenging it?

When the body is placed into a situation where it is overloaded with physical, chemical, and/or mental stressers, the nervous system reacts to these pressures, causing mechanical imbalances within the spine called vertebral subluxations. These areas of mechanical tension and restriction can produce malpositioning, abnormal pressures, and tensions of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and vertebrae. The distortions of these tissues can interfere with the flow of the vital life force  and the coordination of all life processes.  Network Spinal Analysis is a specific evolving analysis method which uses a classification of spinal subluxations into two categories.

• If pressure is present within my nervous system, how do I remove it?

Various chiropractic methods typically are utilized to reduce  forms of nervous system impingement or imbalance: that of the bony structural components of the spine, and of the soft tissues that are integrated within the cranium, spine, and those tissues which surround the vertebral column.

Network chiropractic is a method, based upon approximately 12 techniques, which utilizes very specific adjustments which have full spine ramifications, both with the bony and soft tissues components. (FYI: Within the Network adjusting protocol, the inferior, superior, or anterior components of the vertebral subluxation or distortion may be associated with adverse tensions of the soft tissues. These patterns can manifest pleurisegmental discharge and facilitation anywhere in the spine.)

Clinical findings indicate that these imbalances are often associated with lack of recovery from emotional, mental, or chemical stresses. This subluxation component is called a CLASS B or Facilitated subluxation. The Class B subluxation of the vertebra occurs with overload or facilitation of the central nervous system. (FYI: The bony/vertebral misalignment is secondary in concern. This type of adjustment  appears to primarily help release mechanical tension and interference  from the spinal cord.)

• I thought that chiropractors move bones, by forcibly thrusting in the spine.

The bony/structural misalignment  is the second component of the vertebral subluxation.  This type of subluxation, called the Class A or Structural Subluxation, is primarily an articular/joint distortion.    A mild structural force may be used to set the restricted segment into motion in order to free the nerve (at the intervertebral foramen). (FYI: The segmental misalignment is primary and the nerve interference is secondary. The most common pattern of misalignment is posteriority.)

Class B/ meningeal/facilitated subluxations are adjusted with low force sustained contacts or light, rapid, toggle recoil actions. (FYI: The parameters that the Network chiropractor checks  are taught in chiropractic college. These may include leg length, cervical syndrome, foot flare, heel tension, dis-ease, location and depth of respiration, and palpation of the musculature for ease, splinting of facilitation, range of motion, and postural cues.)

• I can appreciate the need of a free and flexible nervous system, but, what about my symptoms??

When the spinal tissues are under adverse tension, there is a facilitation of the spinal cord, and a consequent irritability of  of the musculature, found along the spine.   This tension exaggerates the existing stress and symptoms, making an individual more fearful in life, less receptive to healing, and more resistant to structural adjustments.

There is an elongation of the spinal cord and an impairment of its circulation  in the flexion position of the spine. Fortunately, we do not keep our spines in flexion for extended periods. When our bodies react to emotional, mental, or chemical stressors, however, the same position of the spine and cord may occur.  If   this stress exceeds the body's ability to recover from the stressor, then the state of tension remains within the brain, spinal cord, and musculature years after the stress originated. Thus, the cord and connective tissues remain relatively elongated and under mechanical tension.

(FYI: This tension creates pulling of the dural attachments at the cranium, cervical (neck) spine, and sacrococcygeal (pelvic) regions. Many structural distortions may occur within the spine, particularly within the thoracic (upper back) and lumbar (lower back)  areas.)

The Network chiropractor seeks to adjust  the vertebral site of causative tension, (FYI:  what is called the area of critical tension). With this change, the secondary regions of facilitation and misalignment instantly release. The adaptive regions undergo marked movement and ease.

The Network protocol indicates greater efficiency of releasing the facilitated/meningeal subluxation patterns prior to adjusting bony/structural subluxations . This procedure allows for a readiness on the part of the patient to receive the structural work, and a safe, easy method of adjusting. The adjusting protocol also provides a sequence of adjusting for each area of the spine.  Some subluxations are ready to be adjusted before others. Sequence and timing are essential components of Network Spinal Analysis.

When the spine is viewed as a system in community with all of its components, and is evaluated in terms of this approach, greater appreciation of neurological and structural correction is possible. Observation of the spine's self correcting and regulating movements are integrated into the Network clinical package.

• What about my symptoms, I just want them to go away!  It takes so little in my life for my symptoms to return.

Our bodies perceive changes in our environments, whether they are physical, mental/emotional, or chemical, as stress.  Stress is not what happens to us from the outside, but rather, stress is the way that our body perceives and reacts to what happens from the outside. The brain and spinal cord continually access fluctuations from within the body and from the outside, and then it must react to these changes. These stressers are a natural process in our lives, and we have the capacity to changes and adapt to these changes as a natural function. With a healthy nervous system, the body and nervous system can handle enormous amounts of stress, however, when we have placed ourselves in situations which exceed our capacities, we must either change for the better and grow, or we may express symptoms and disease. 

• Sometimes I feel overwhelmed, and my body is more aware of symptoms, why?

When dis-ease is elevated to the point that signs and symptoms make us aware of abnormalities of our body functions and sense of well being, our body, through its nervous system, is producing warning signs that something in our lives must change. Symptoms are created to indicate that we are in a physical, mental/emotional, and/or chemical excess. Symptoms should not be over looked as an inconvenience which should be eliminated, at the expense of ignoring the cause of the "problem".  Focusing the attention on combating the symptoms does nothing to increase the adaptability and functional capacities of the body.

• My medical doctor gave me the name of my condition and prescribed physical therapy and medication for my symptoms.  How is this approach different from that which the Network chiropractor will suggest for my condition?

The Network doctor bases his adjusting procedures on the protocol and parameters, as mentioned above, and not upon a medical/allopathic diagnosis. The job of your medical doctor is to treat symptoms, through the use of drugs, surgery, and/or physical modalities.  Your physician's purpose is to alter the natural physiology of the body, so as to alter the body's awareness to the symptoms which are present.

The chiropractor utilizing Network Spinal Analysis recognizes that ones spinal health is a function of the relationship of all of the body's parts, and not limited to an area which is segmented, ailing, and dysfunctional.  Improving the health and functioning of the spine and nervous system assists the total body in healing from within.

Chiropractors are most concerned with the causes of these subluxation patterns, which form within the spine. They recognize the symptom as a need for healing and not as an area that needs a treatment or "fix". They seek to detect these interferences and to correct the imbalances, which may ultimately block the full expression of the energy of life, intended for all   body tissues. A symptom is the effect, not the cause, of this block of life energy.

Most importantly, love each other.  

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[Our Purpose: A Statement of Clinical Objective]
 [A Network Retrospective Study] [Network Chiropractic: What is NSA?]
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