Question
QUESTION: I have been diagnosed  a severe subluxation of my C 1 vertebra. I have known for a few years that I have a pinched nerve between my C 5 and C 6 vertebraes. I have been informed that my spinal cord has a total deviation of 35.9 degrees. My report states that my neck has a maximum additional force.

I have suffered from neck discomfort for several years and I have had neck traction, massages and laser several times. That rehab alleviated my symptoms for a short time, but since I kept doing a normal life symptoms came back and have gotten worse lately. I suffer now from eye strain, pain in my head bones, shoulders, elbows and fingers. Besides these symptoms, I sometimes feel a very light sensation of dizziness like when I drink a beer (something unusual in me).

Since you are a specialist in nutrition, I would like to mention that I have a very strong intolerance to Citric Acid, and according to the chiropractor that diagnosed the severe subluxation I mentioned above, I have a considerable allergy to milk. I had started drinking lactose free milk this year, since I had noticed bloating and intestinal cramps every now and then.

Do you think a one year chiropractic treatment will solve my neck problem? And do you have any suggestions about my severe intolerance to Citric Acid, besides suggesting that I stay away from all from all the fruit and food that contain it?

I am sorry for having written so long.

Thank you very much for your kind attention,

Maia

ANSWER: Maia,
I never put a tag on how long something should take to straighten.  Anyone that tells you they can fix it in so much time or so many visits cannot either.  You could take 1 visit or 100...it all depends on how you respond to the adjustments.  As far as the allergy to milk and intolerance...I would suggest doing an elimination diet.  You can google that...it is pretty standard.  You introduce the foods that are suspect, and work from there.  You may have a combination of foods working together to give you this intolerance

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for answering so promptly, Dr. Newhart. I forgot to ask you your opinion about about the choropractic technique that uses both adjustment and physical rehabilitation in order to seek actual regeneration of the spinal cord. I have the impression from all the literature I have read that conventional (previous to Dr. Pettibon's revolutionary system) chiropractic only gets transitory relief of lesions. Correct me if I am wrong, please.

As far as my food intolerances go, I already began an elimination diet since last November. I have dropped all fruits from my diet, except for very ripe sweet apples and bananas. And, of course, I have also dropped milk from my diet. I have finally achieved digestive peace. Since I am very nutrition oriented, I don't have to worry about possible nutrition disarrangements.

And last, but not least: How serious do you think my problem is?

Most cordially,

Maia

Answer
Combining rehabilitation with adjustment is the far superior approach.  Dr. Pettibon's work is excellent, as well as the Work of Dr.'s Pierce, Thompson, et. al.  When performed correctly, an adjustment is a wonderful thing, regrdless of the technique.  As far as the severity...whenever there is subluxation, it is sub-optimal.  You trying to have it corrected is the best approach