If we take the word Orthospinology and break it down it could be said that it is the study of restoring the spine to an upright balanced position or orthogonal position.  The orthospinology procedure is an evidence-based approach to spinal care that is based upon engineering principles as researched and developed by John F. Grostic. It should be noted that the Orthospinology procedure has been around for over 60 years and its clinical validity is supported by over 100+ peer-reviewed indexed references!!  

Dr. Grostic's work has allowed the upper cervical chiropractor the ability to quantify and assess the subluxation and its correction like never before.  

The Orthospinology procedure is a series of steps that build on each other. 
1.  Precision x-ray machine alignment
2.  Accurate patient placement for x-ray assessment
3.  Meticulous x-ray analysis  
4.  Careful patient table placement
5.  Precision spinal correction
6.  Post spinal correction assessment 

There are many details and intricacies that go into and build up to a precision spinal correction.  It should be noted that Dr. Grostic's work has been an incredible advancement to the principle and practice of upper cervical chiropractic care.   

​Dr. Grayson Blom is an upper cervical chiropractor located in Boise, Idaho that is trained and certified in the Orthospinology procedure.   

Correction of head and neck misalignment has been proven time and time again to be highly effective for people that suffer from the signs and symptoms of the "Atlas Subluxation Complex" (ASC), with some of the most common symptoms being headaches, vertigo, neck pain, shoulder/arm pain, back pain, hip/leg and sciatic pain.  

If you are looking for a Doctor trained in the Orthospinology Upper Cervical Procedure in Boise Idaho then we invite you to schedule a consultation to meet with Dr. Blom.  To schedule please click the link or you can give us a call directly at (208) 559-0541.  We look forward to meeting you! 

​1.  Orthospinology Procedures - An Evidence-Based Approach to Spinal Care, K. Eriksen, R.P. Rochester, Lippincott Williams 2007. 
2.  Upper Cervical Subluxation Complex - A Review of the Chiropractic and Medical Literature, K. Eriksen, Lippincott Williams 2004. 
3.  Society of Chiropractic Orthospinology -  http://www.orthospinology.org
4.  Orthospinology Certification Program 2015.

Blair is a method of analyzing and correcting the upper cervical spinal misalignment (or Atlas Subluxation Complex - ASC) as developed by William G. Blair.  Dr. Blair developed this method in part due to issues with common malformations of the upper cervical spinal column that are routinely observed on x-ray.  Dr. Blair played a critical role in the development of the procedure and protocol to deal with these common malformations of the upper cervical spinal column when working with patients.  

Earlier in his career Dr. Blair had conducted a study using osteological specimens where he analyzed over 3,000 intact skull and cervical spinal columns with the goal of determining just how common malformations where in the upper cervical spine.  It should also be noted that Dr. Blair developed his procedure and protocols utilizing 3-D stereoscopic  x-ray imaging and he is also known as the developer of the legendary protracto view which is an oblique nasium film used to visualize the relationship and misalignment of the skull relative to atlas.  

A brief summary of some of the most common upper cervical spinal malformations are as follows:

A turned foramen magnum was present 77% of the time.
An anterior condyle was found 79% of the time.
One condyle was found to be smaller measured from A-P 83% of the time.
One condyle was found to be short compared to the ocular orbits 77% of the time.
The entire foramen magnum and condyles were found to be off center 62% of the time. 

Knowing these things when analyzing and correcting spinal misalignment is of great significance when working with patients.  

​It should be pointed out that many of the early upper cervical chiropractic pioneers helped develop the procedures and protocols to provide the modern day upper cervical chiropractor with the solid foundation to deliver the highest quality care for patients, that is not only highly precise, but extremely effective when it comes to the detection and correction of upper cervical spinal misalignment.   

​Dr. Grayson Blom is an upper cervical chiropractor in Boise, Idaho that is trained and certified in the Blair Upper Cervical procedures and protocols.  

Correction of head and neck misalignment has been proven time and time again to be highly effective for people that suffer from the signs and symptoms of the "Atlas Subluxation Complex" (ASC), with some of the most common symptoms being headaches, vertigo, neck pain, shoulder/arm pain, back pain, hip/leg and sciatic pain.  

If you are looking for a Blair trained Upper Cervical Chiropractor in Boise Idaho then we invite you to schedule a consultation to meet with Dr. Blom.  To schedule please click the link or you can give us a call directly at (208) 559-0541.  We look forward to meeting you! 

Knee Chest Upper Cervical Specific (KCUCS) is a precision upper cervical chiropractic procedure that the developer of chiropractic Dr. Bartlett Joshua Palmer researched, developed and then shared with the Chiropractic profession in the spring of 1930 and he called it the HIO principle.  HIO meaning "hole-in-one" just like in golf we want to accomplish our objective with one shot.  Dr. Palmer discovered after many years of research that the only place a vertebral subluxation can exist is in the upper cervical spine (occipito-atlanto-axial region).  

The Knee Chest Upper Cervical spinal correction procedure is the original tried and true method of upper cervical spinal correction.  It has been arguably the all-time best and most successful upper cervical spinal correction method since it was researched and developed by Dr. Palmer.  The KCUCS teachings and traditions have been handed down through the generations through Dr. Lyle Sherman, Dr. Michael U. Kale, Dr. Robert Kessinger et.al, who have been instrumental in teaching the KCUCS work.      
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The Knee Chest Upper Cervical Specific method developed by Dr. Palmer is commonly referred to as "Knee Chest" for short, in that the patient kneels down onto a specially designed table where they gently turn their head and place a small portion of their chest onto the table.  Then a gentle precision vectored force is delivered, that is derived from x-ray analysis to correct the upper cervical spinal misalignment of atlas and axis relative to the opening at the base of the skull called the foramen magnum.  Then the patient will comfortably rest for a period of time to allow the correction to seat and hold then a post analysis is performed to verify success of the correction. 

​Dr. Grayson Blom is an upper cervical chiropractor in Boise, Idaho that is trained and certified in the Knee Chest Upper Cervical procedure.  

​Correction of head and neck misalignment has been proven time and time again to be highly effective for people that suffer from the signs and symptoms of the "Atlas Subluxation Complex" (ASC), with some of the most common symptoms being headaches, vertigo, neck pain, shoulder/arm pain, back pain, hip/leg and sciatic pain.  
​
If you are looking for a KCUCS trained Upper Cervical Chiropractor in Boise Idaho then we invite you to schedule a consultation to meet with Dr. Blom.  To schedule please click the link or you can give us a call directly at (208) 559-0541.  We look forward to meeting you! 

An Atlas subluxation is a misalignment of the upper most neck bone named after the Greek God Atlas, in that Atlas holds up the world in the same way that your first neck bone Atlas holds up your world as in your head.  

An Atlas subluxation put simply is a misalignment between the skull above and the second neck bone (Axis) below, due to a slip, fall, accident, or injury.  

The Atlas misalignment will then clog the opening through which nerves, blood vessels, and CSF (Cerebrospinal Fluid) will pass interfering with flow, function, and communication back and forth between the brain and the body. 
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The Atlas subluxation will remain stable in its abnormal misaligned configuration slowly causing spinal damage and health problems over time.  On average it is 10-15 years before symptoms start showing up from an Atlas subluxation.  

Your Child and an MS Report

Every parent wants the best for their child. That desire is so deep that new parents cheer when they count ten fingers and ten toes on their newborn children. That desire never stops, and parents will do almost anything to make sure their kids grow up happy and healthy.

Unfortunately, as much as we love our kids, we just can't prevent bad things from happening to them all of the time. Most of the time those bad things happen in the form of bumps, bruises, and and scrapes. But sometimes they come in the form of a doctor reporting bad news to us about our children.

One negative report that no parent wants to hear of their child is that they have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). News like that has a tendency to change one's life and not for the better. 

Multiple Sclerosis and Nerve Damage

So what exactly happens in multiple sclerosis? 

Your nerve cells are protected by a protective covering called the Myelin Sheath in multiple sclerosis that myelin sheath has been damaged. That nerve damage causes signals in your body to slow down or stop, and that means communication between your brain and your body is hindered.

It is believed that an autoimmune reaction is part of the problem when it comes to multiple sclerosis. Whereas your body begins to attack the myelin sheath and destroy it. But what is leading to the autoimmune reaction in the first place? This is the question that continues to challenge multiple sclerosis researchers. One of the most common theories today centers around chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency also known as CCSVI.

Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency is a condition where people have obstructed blood flow in the veins that drain the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). Research indicates that CCSVI is significantly correlated with multiple sclerosis.

As a result of these venous abnormalities, the blood flow rate through the central nervous system back toward the heart may become slowed, and blood may  reflux  

People with CCSVI have  one or more of the following blockages of the veins that drain blood from the central nervous system:

• Stenosis  is an abnormal narrowing of the veins that restricts blood flow. Types of stenoses include the collapse of the vein, twisting of the vein, ring-like narrowings in the vein, and other similar obstructions
• An abnormal  valve, flap, or  membrane that blocks or inhibits blood flow through the veins
• Atresia, hypoplasia, or  agenesis  are severe venous problems, including veins that are partially closed, underdeveloped, minimally formed, or almost entirely missing
• CCSVI's existence and association with MS has received broad support from a wide range of studies conducted across three continents.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 
• CCSVI may be the result of a misalignment of the upper neck. The misalignment of the upper neck could lead to CCSVI and CCSVI could lead to the autoimmune reaction that leads to the multiple sclerosis.​

A short video on upper cervical chiropractic care in Boise Idaho.  Please note the global effect head and neck misalignment can have on the rest of the spine.  

Dr. Grayson Blom works with a nationwide group of Doctors expertly trained and specializing in the Upper Cervical Procedure.  Dr. Blom is also one of the few Doctors in the state of Idaho trained and certified in the Upper Cervical Procedure. 

We are dedicated to helping patients just like you who suffer from migraines, headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain and other spinal-related disorders.

You can call our office directly at (208) 559-0541 or you can request a consultation by clicking the link below. 

Upper cervical chiropractic care also known as SPECIFIC CHIROPRACTIC is a little known health care system that has helped millions of people get their health and life back.  This form of health care has been helping people with HEADACHES, NECK PAIN, SHOULDER PAIN, ARM PAIN, VERTIGO and BACK PAIN  and other spinal related disorders for over 118 years now. 

This form of health care was developed, practiced and researched by Dr. B.J. Palmer.  There were other upper cervical chiropractic pioneers that made a tremendous contributions to upper cervical chiropractic as well such as:  Dr. William G. Blair, Dr. John F. Grostic, Dr. Ralph Gregory, et.al. 

The term Upper Cervical refers to the top two bones in the neck.  An Upper Cervical Chiropractor is someone that has specialized training and is different than a general Chiropractor and deals SPECIFICALLY with the upper two bones in the neck. 

Very interesting and of note is the fact that the very top neck bones are called the ATLAS and AXIS.  Atlas is derived from the Greek God ATLAS as he holds up your world i.e. your head.  The second neck bone is called AXIS and ATLAS rests or stands on top of AXIS.  It is not widely known to the general public that brain stem exits the floor of the skull and runs through these top two neck bones.  The purpose of the spine is to protect the brain stem and the spinal cord which runs through the bones of the spine as well as provides a base of support for the body. 

The human head weighs between 10-16 pounds which is very similar to the weight of a bowling ball.  The actual weight of the human head is not fully appreciated until you have held a bowling ball in your own hands to get a sense of what we are describing.  There are a series of muscles, ligaments, and tendons that hold the head up right to create stability. ​

The upper two neck bones provide the vast majority of your range of motion for the head and neck thus sacrificing mobility for stability.  Also due to the nature and arrangement of the muscles, ligaments and tendons the upper neck is also one of the easiest areas of the spine to injure.  All the bones beneath AXIS or the second neck bone on down have an interlocking nature limiting how far the bones can move. Again imagine putting a bowling ball on a stick and trying to keep it upright and centered, think of all the coordinated muscle effort that would take.

Many people also do not know that the top two neck bones play a tremendous role in the bodies overall posture.  There are more sensors in the upper neck monitoring head position and making necessary changes below in the lower spine than any other area of the body.

If the upper two bones are in ALIGNMENT then the spine is very strong and stable.  If they become MISALIGNED due to accident or injury then a weaknesses in the spine will develop.  In addition the portion of the nervous system (brain stem) that runs through the top two neck bones ATLAS/AXIS can become compromised which can mimic many different types of health problems depending on your individual anatomy. 

Neurologically speaking the brain stem is the most important area of the body because this is the fuse box area of the body. Ever area of the body must first connect to the brain stem before it can get to the brain.  Thus a problem in the upper neck can cause many strange symptoms in addition to headaches, neck pain, and back pain.

The brain stem is also very important as this is the area of the body that controls body systems like circulation, digestions, respiration, hormones, consciousness, sleep/wake cycles, muscles, etc. etc. (pick a body process and it has a corresponding center in the brain stem)

A great way to understand the MISALIGNMENT of one of the upper two neck bones is to picture a rubber band around the brain stem squeezing down.  This will alter or interfere with how the brain talks back and forth with the body.  The bottom line is the body will not function as it should.  The logical and simple understanding is that if your brain cannot properly communicate with all areas of your body then you cannot be 100% healthy.

The concept of Upper Cervical Care is that accidents and injuries can tear loose the connective tissues of of the upper cervical spine allowing the upper two neck bones to misalign and lock out into a stressed position.  The weight of the head being 10-16 pounds is forced off center relative to the neck resulting in compensations in the spine below to counter balance the head being off center; then stress, pressure, and irritation will result in those areas that come under stress, thus causing a decrease in function in these corresponding areas of the body.