In the past couple of years, coinciding with Dr. Zamboni's discovery of CCSVI, other researchers have come forward with studies showing the correlation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and venous return in MS. This research is complimentary to Dr. Zamboni's--venous return from the brain is dependent on not only blood volume, but CSF as well. The structure of the cranial/cervical junction of the neck is one part of this equation and intraluminal (inside the vein) venous malformations are another. One of the most interesting discoveries has been made by the inventor of MRI, Dr. Raymond V. Damadian, utilizing his new upright FONAR MRI machine.
Dr. Damadian has published research showing the connection of refluxive CSF and MS lesions.
The complete study that led to the diagnostic breakthrough in multiple sclerosis can be accessed at the company website at: www.fonar.com/pdf/PCP41_damadian.pdf
Commenting on the study, the lead researcher and president of FONAR, Raymond V. Damadian stated, “These new observations have uncovered biomechanical barriers that appear to give rise to multiple sclerosis, and, even more excitingly, these barriers may be therapeutically addressable." Damadian is the medical doctor who discovered the abnormal signals from tissue that are the basis of every MRI image made today and who went on to invent the MRI and build the world’s first MRI by hand at New York’s Downstate Medical Center.
http://www.fonar.com/news/100511.htm
Here is a note from CCSVI Alliance President Sharon Richardson on Dr. Damadian and his current research, which he recently presented in New York City. Dr. Damadian believes we are at the beginning of understanding how the cranio-cervical junction impacts brain health. link
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CCSVI Alliance is at the forefront of this new research, which is "therapeutically addressing" some of the problems found at the cranial cervical junction.
Today in New Orleans, Dr. Scott Rosa will be presenting his exciting research on the correction of cervical misalignment due to the Atlas and restoration of CSF flow. This may be another contributing factor in MS disease progression and CCSVI severity. Dr. Rosa utilizes FONAR upright MRI to note changes to CSF flow before and after a cervical neck treatment known as "atlas orthogonal". This chiropractic treatment looks at the very top vertebra in our necks, called C1 or the "atlas". In many of us who may have had neck trauma due to injury or accident, the atlas is crooked or rotated and causes the neck and spine to be out of alignment, impacting venous return of blood and CSF from the brain. Dr. Rosa is finding a correlation to this treatment and improvement in symptoms from neurodegenerative diseases like MS and Parkinson's. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I know a bit more about all of this today, since
I had my first AO treatment yesterday. I've been suffering from cervical spondylosis (degeneration of the neck) for over 10 years. My neck vertebrae have been bulging, compressed and painful for awhile. I've had x rays and MRIS that show how messed up it is. I've dealt with this using yoga, nutrition and chiropractic. But in the last 2 years, it's gotten really bad. Daily headaches, migraine aura, dizzines, brain fog, etc. I won't complain...it's not MS! But thanks to my friend Sharon RIchardson, I got a recommendation for an AO doctor in my area and went yesterday. I was a bit dubious, but when I saw the x-ray of my rotated atlas and crooked vertebra from a new angle--the top of my head thru my open mouth, I paid attention! The treatment was painless and quick. When I sat up from the table, I wasn't dizzy (!) and my neck felt smooth. I'm used to feeling the sore edges of my vertebra, poking out on the sides of my neck. They were gone! Now aligned from the top down, my spine sits behind my neck muscles, no more bulging discs! I slept REALLY well last night and woke up with energy and no dizziness. And my neck still feels smooth.
I do not know if this will help everyone with MS, and it's not a cheap treatment (my insurance won't pay for chiropractic) BUT if you have neck injury related to your MS, or symptoms like mine (headache, sore neck, dizziness, migraine) it might be worth investigating. Jeff wants to go and learn more about his neck. Even though he's done really well with his venoplasty, ANY improvements are always welcome! AO specialists have special equipment and training. To learn more and find an accredited doctor in your area:
http://atlasorthogonality.com/PatientSite/aboutAO.htmlWe are learning more and more EVERYDAY! MS is a complex, multi-faceted disease. Any progress made in learning about how to improve our venous flow is important to understand. There is no miracle pill, there is no one miracle treatment. There is only a complete lifestyle of good nutrition and movement, a healing of the structure of our bodies, and a return of oxygenated blood and CSF to the brain. I hope this info helps you. If it brings relief to one more person....it's a good thing.
best, Joan