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For years NUCCA doctors have been asking patients if they have a history of head and neck injuries including, car accidents, falls, times where they have been knocked unconscious, had a concussion or stitches to their head.
Why?
When accidents and injuries tear loose the connective tissue that holds the spine in place it creates a weakness, which allows the spine to break down and lock into a stressed position.
The area of the body that is the most vulnerable to injury and has the most far reaching effects is the upper neck. The top bone in the spine, the atlas sits right underneath the skull and when the tissues around it become stretched and damaged the weight of the head will be shifted from center.
Once the position of the head is altered the position of the eyes and ears is altered as well. The brain will initiate a reflex called the righting reflex in order to balance the eyes and the semicircular canals in the ears with the horizon.
The problem is now the head is slightly off center and the spine must adapt to that position by twisting and turning the remaining structure of the spine. This will lead to tilting of the shoulders, the hips and imbalance all the way down to the legs leading to an unequal distribution of weight.
Body imbalance can lead to a variety of different health problems, but frequently has the same root cause...
The original head or neck injury created a misalignment of the Atlas bone at the base of the skull which led to the subsequent problems with the structure of the body, nerve and blood flow from the brain to the body.
Here is a great example from a research article published in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research ~ January 6, 2011
A 23-year-old female patient presented for upper cervical chiropractic care five months after a slip and fall that resulted in a concussion. The patient presented with symptoms of vertigo and headaches consistent with post concussion syndrome.
The patient had a longstanding history of headaches that were exacerbated by the concussion and a new complaint of positional vertigo that occurred immediately following the trauma. Significant body imbalances were noted including a leg length difference. Specific Upper Cervical X-rays demonstrated an upper cervical misalignment.
She began to receive Upper Cervical Specific Chiropractic care and the headache and vertigo was gone immediately following the first adjustment. Post X-Ray evaluation showed a significant improvement in the alignment of the head and neck. The follow up examination the following day revealed a significant decrease in muscles spasm in the neck and the legs were balanced.
The patient’s care was continued on a frequency of twice per month for evaluations and progress monitoring. She continued to report a complete resolution of vertigo and a significant improvement in the headaches as well.
Who do you know that has had a concussion? Do they have a chronic health problem? Is there a connection to the upper neck?
Only an upper cervical specialist could tell you for sure.
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Sacramento California area schedule a consultation by clicking the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Donald Erwin of Body Balance Spinal Care in Sacramento, California is an Upper Cervical Chiropractor trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA).Over the past 21 years, Dr. Erwin has helped many people find natural relief in Sacramento, California. His upper cervical clinic also serves the communities of Elk Grove, Roseville, Yuba City, Davis and Placerville. He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, sciatica, digestive disorders and auto injuries. More information can be found on his website at https://www.donerwindc.com/.
A recent press release by the American Chiropractic Association, that appeared in several news outlets. The release, and several associated news articles discuss how chiropractic helps people who suffer from headaches.
The ACA release begins by noting, "If you have a headache, you're not alone. Nine out of ten Americans suffer from headaches. Some are occasional, some frequent, some are dull and throbbing, and some cause debilitating pain and nausea."
Another article about chiropractic and headaches in the Merritt Herald from Canada on July 24, 2013, starts by stating, "Did you know that one of the most common forms of headache is actually caused by problems in the neck?"
The ACA release reported on research of how chiropractic helps headaches by noting, "A report released in 2001 by researchers at the Duke University Evidence-Based Practice Center in Durham, N.C., found that upper neck adjustments resulted in almost immediate improvement for those headaches that originate in the neck, and had significantly fewer side effects and longer-lasting relief of tension-type headache than a commonly prescribed medication."
Using chiropractic care for headaches is not a common medical procedure. This fact was illustrated in the Merritt Herald article, "Unfortunately, the medical understanding of headaches often does not take into account the chiropractic model, which remains foreign to many within the medical profession."
The Merritt Herald article also reported that this information is not new, noting that, "In 1995, a team of MDs at Syracuse University established neck problems as the cause of many headaches with scientific, anatomical proof." The researchers were headed up by Dr. Rothbart, a medical doctor.
In an interview after the research, Dr. Rothbart stated, "Some brilliant people have put their hearts, souls and minds to this (headache) problem and haven't come up with anything. All we've been able to do is treat people with an array of medicines, one after the other, and hope the side effects won’t be too bad. We couldn’t believe it at first. We’ve been able to put together a scientific explanation for how neck structure causes headaches — not all headaches, but a significant number of them. It's true that chiropractors have been saying this for years. Unfortunately, many (medical) doctors tend to have a jaundiced view of chiropractors, but they were right about headaches."
Do you suffer from headaches?
A thorough evaluation of your upper neck by an upper cervical specialist could provide the answers and the end to your chronic headaches.
Now is the time for you to take the first step.
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Sacramento California area schedule a consultation by clicking the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Donald Erwin of Body Balance Spinal Care in Sacramento, California is an Upper Cervical Chiropractor trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA).Over the past 21 years, Dr. Erwin has helped many people find natural relief in Sacramento, California. His upper cervical clinic also serves the communities of Elk Grove, Roseville, Yuba City, Davis and Placerville. He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, sciatica, digestive disorders and auto injuries. More information can be found on his website at https://www.donerwindc.com/.
If you suffer from migraines, you can take back control of your life. We understand it's important to you that you live a normal and pain free life. You shouldn't have to suffer, and there are things you can do to reduce your suffering.
Poor sleep can trigger migraines, so it is important to establish good sleeping patterns. This means you need go to bed at the same time every night. Here are a few other things you can do to establish good sleeping patterns.
Sometimes, our daily habits can trigger migraines. Along with establishing good habits, it's a good idea to keep a journal of your daily routine. This will help you pinpoint what parts of your diet or habits trigger your migraine.
For the best results, consult a health professional. It is important to lay out a plan to better health. Just as your vehicle drives better when the tires are aligned, your body functions better when it is aligned. NUCCA can correct the Atlas Subluxation Complex, which is the misalignment of the head and upper neck. Correcting these issues can reduce or eliminate the frequency or severity of the headaches.
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Sacramento California area schedule a consultation by clicking the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Donald Erwin of Body Balance Spinal Care in Sacramento, California is an Upper Cervical Chiropractor trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA).Over the past 21 years, Dr. Erwin has helped many people find natural relief in Sacramento, California. His upper cervical clinic also serves the communities of Elk Grove, Roseville, Yuba City, Davis and Placerville. He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, sciatica, digestive disorders and auto injuries. More information can be found on his website at https://www.donerwindc.com/
There are many reasons why someone may not be sleeping. Physical, emotional and mental problems may be disturbing the sleep cycle.
Here are 5 ways for you to beat the no sleep cycle:
In a 2011 study published in the Journal of Public Health, researchers using survey data on sleep and exercise found that people who reported getting “any exercise” in the past 30 days were less likely to have complaints about sleep or daytime tiredness.
The body prepares for sleep over a period of three to four hours, Charlene Gamaldo, a Johns Hopkins neurologist says. “There’s a whole cascade of events, including the release of melatonin,” a hormone that helps regulate sleep cycles. The blue light of television and electronic devices is particularly disruptive to hormones involved in circadian rhythms and can lead to problems initiating and maintaining sleep.
Alcohol can contribute to middle-of-the-night awakenings as well.”The term ‘nightcap’ is a misnomer,” Gamaldo says. “Alcohol does have sedative properties and might help you get to sleep, but it’s rapidly metabolized, and when cleared [by your body] can function to wake you up.” Gamaldo calls this “rebound insomnia.”
“Like a cave,” Gamaldo says. “Anything that disrupts that lovely little formula can wake you up in the night.” Use window blinds to block street lights, and mute your cellphone.
Once you’re awake more than 20 minutes, you should leave the bedroom,” Gamaldo says. Go to another room, engage in a relaxing activity, such as listening to music or reading, but keep lighting on the dim side. When you’re tired, go back to bed. The process can take an hour or more. “It’s an established technique to deal with insomnia,” she says. “What you don’t want is a negative association between your bed and not sleeping.”
Michael Grandner, a psychologist at the Center for Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology at the University of Pennsylvania agrees, although he knows it seems counterintuitive to get out of bed in order to sleep. “In the short term, you may sleep less. But it’s for long-term gain.”
Undetected upper neck injuries can lead to brain stem pressure and changes in hormones, blood and cerebrospinal fluid flow to and from the brain and pain. All of this can lead to chronic insomnia.
If you have a history of head or neck trauma such as car accidents, falls, sports injuries, etc. you should have your neck thoroughly evaluated by an upper cervical chiropractor to determine if a specialized procedure is needed in order to correct the underlying upper neck misalignment.
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Sacramento California area schedule a consultation by clicking the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Donald Erwin of Body Balance Spinal Care in Sacramento, California is an Upper Cervical Chiropractor trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA).Over the past 21 years, Dr. Erwin has helped many people find natural relief in Sacramento, California. His upper cervical clinic also serves the communities of Elk Grove, Roseville, Yuba City, Davis and Placerville. He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, sciatica, digestive disorders and auto injuries. More information can be found on his website at https://www.donerwindc.com/
Migraines.com wrote a recent article highlighting the link between migraines and panic disorders. The Mayo Clinic defines migraines as an "intense throbbing or pulsing in one area of the head, and is commonly accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound." WebMD defines panic disorders as "sudden attacks of fear and nervousness, as well as physical symptoms such as sweating and racing heart."
While most medical research focusses on drug therapies for both conditions, Upper Cervical Chiropractors look to signs of physical restrictions at the base of the skull. Upper Cervical Chiropractors use complex imaging to see the opening at the base of the skull in 3D, and specifically correct any misalignments that can interfere with the nerve structures at the level just beneath the brainstem.
Dr. Raymond Damadian, the inventor of the MRI has been doing some amazing research with upright MRIs and specialized software. He's been able to show that when someone has a misalignment in the upper neck it is actually changing the flow of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) to, from and through the brain. CSF is the fluid that lubricates the brain and spinal cord. These misalignments could be leading to migraine headaches, panic disorders and more.
The obstruction comes as the first few bones in the neck become misaligned and causes a backup of CSF and increased pressure inside the head. When this misalignment was corrected by an upper cervical procedure such as NUCCA, the studies show that the pressure inside the head decreases and the CSF flow becomes normal.
For example, one of the studies reports on two patients who presented with severe, long-standing migraine headaches and other complications following whiplash injuries. Both patients were examined in an upright MRI utilizing specialized software, which allowed for evaluation of CSF flow.
It was found that in each patient there was a misalignment of the 1st cervical vertebra (Atlas), as well as substantially reduced CSF flow between the skull and the neck. Both patients received an upper cervical correction directed at the C1 misalignment.
Within an hour of the correction both patients were rescanned and normal CSF flow was restored. Additionally, the headache pain was nearly eliminated immediately after the correction in both patients.
The researchers stated:
Prior research has demonstrated a correlation between CSF flow obstruction and intracranial pressure headaches. This is a potentially significant clinical finding (CSF obstruction) that can lead to long-term and often unexplained complaints of unresolved headaches, neck pain, tingling, numbness, and a variety of other symptoms.
This type of upper neck correction can only be performed by a specially trained group of doctors.
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or www.upcspine.com or if you are in the Sacramento California area schedule a consultation by clicking the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Donald Erwin of Body Balance Spinal Care in Sacramento, California is an Upper Cervical Chiropractor trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA).Over the past 21 years, Dr. Erwin has helped many people find natural relief in Sacramento, California. His upper cervical clinic also serves the communities of Elk Grove, Roseville, Yuba City, Davis and Placerville. He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, sciatica, digestive disorders and auto injuries. More information can be found on his website at https://www.donerwindc.com/
concussion
On November 21, 2012, brain imaging shows changes in the brains of people with post-concussion syndrome (PCS), according to a new study published online in the journal Radiology.
PCS affects approximately 20 percent to 30 percent of people who suffer mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) otherwise known as a concussion -- defined by the World Health Organization as a traumatic event causing brief loss of consciousness and/or transient memory dysfunction or disorientation.
Symptoms of PCS include headache, poor concentration and memory difficulty. Conventional neuroimaging cannot distinguish which MTBI patients will develop PCS. "Conventional imaging with CT or MRI is pretty much normal in MTBI patients, even though some go on to develop symptoms, including severe cognitive problems," said Yulin Ge, M.D., associate professor, Department of Radiology at the NYU School of Medicine in New York City. "We want to try to better understand why and how these symptoms arise."
Dr. Ge's study used MRI to look at the brain during its resting state, or the state when it is not engaged in a specific task, such as when the mind wanders or while daydreaming. The resting state is thought to involve connections among a number of brain regions.
"Baseline resting state is very important for information processing and maintenance," Dr. Ge said.
Alterations in the brain resting state have been found in several disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, autism and schizophrenia, but little is known about brain resting state connectivity changes following concussion.
For the new study, Dr. Ge and colleagues used resting-state functional MRI to compare 23 MTBI patients who had post-traumatic symptoms within two months of the injury and 18 age-matched healthy controls. The MRI results showed that communication and information integration in the brain was disrupted after mild head injury, and that the brain tapped into different neural resources to compensate for the impaired function.
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Sacramento California area schedule a consultation by clicking the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Donald Erwin of Body Balance Spinal Care in Sacramento, California is an Upper Cervical Chiropractor trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA).Over the past 21 years, Dr. Erwin has helped many people find natural relief in Sacramento, California. His upper cervical clinic also serves the communities of Elk Grove, Roseville, Yuba City, Davis and Placerville. He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, sciatica, digestive disorders and auto injuries. More information can be found on his website at https://www.donerwindc.com/
NUCCA and MigrainesIf you've ever had a migraine, you're probably cringing at the thought of having a recurrence. Just a few of the symptoms presented by migraines include intense pain, extreme sensitivity to light and sound, feeling nauseated followed by vomiting. Quite a few migraine sufferers also experience numbness, a tingling sensation, visual disturbances, including auras and in some cases having difficulty communicating. One of the most devastating parts of having a migraine headache is how long they can last - anywhere from hours to several days.
As physicians and chiropractors, discover more about migraines and other headaches, they're finding impressive ways to address the pain before it even starts, as well as prevent it from recurring. Migraines, tension headaches, cluster and stress headaches are all health related issues that are commonly treated with invasive surgery or drugs.
There are a number of factors that can trigger migraines, including diet, caffeine intake, stress, excessive light and/or sound, fatigue, hormonal changes and smoking. In most cases, these triggers aren't the root cause of the migraines which makes them difficult to treat.
You probably know by now that there aren't any migraine medications that are side effect free; most come with serious, potentially dangerous side effects. Fortunately, if the problem is caused by an upper cervical spine misalignment, there is a safe and natural migraine solution that involves gentle NUCCA chiropractic adjustments which can relieve the intensity and frequency of the migraine.
Common signs that your migraine problems are linked to upper cervical issues include headaches that start at the base of your skull, your head feels heavy and/or your neck feels tight and painful, you have a history of head and neck injuries, etc. If you have two or more of these symptoms, your migraines are more than likely caused by neck dysfunction. Fortunately, NUCCA Chiropractic care can help.
More and more people are beginning to realize that spinal correction and structural balance are essential for optimum health problems can be addressed correcting the Atlas Subluxation Complex, the misalignment of the head and upper neck. Upper cervical misalignment obstructs the communication process between the brain and body which leads to a wide range issues including stress, tension and pain. These symptoms have the potential of affecting all of the sufferers’ mental and physical activities. It has been proven that many of the symptoms can be reduced or eliminated altogether with the proper correction of the atlas subluxation complex.
If you're dealing with migraine headaches, you should consider NUCCA chiropractic, a gentle and safe chiropractic care solution that is focused on delivering permanent results.
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Sacramento California area schedule a consultation by clicking the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Donald Erwin of Body Balance Spinal Care in Sacramento, California is an Upper Cervical Chiropractor trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA).Over the past 21 years, Dr. Erwin has helped many people find natural relief in Sacramento, California. His upper cervical clinic also serves the communities of Elk Grove, Roseville, Yuba City, Davis and Placerville. He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, sciatica, digestive disorders and auto injuries. More information can be found on his website at https://www.donerwindc.com/
Majority of Americans are not Sleeping EnoughThe LA Times reports that a new survey says 83% of Americans don’t get a good night’s sleep on a consistent basis.
Why not?
Stress and anxiety were cited as the top reason by 48% followed by pain at 38% of the 1,008 adults interviewed by the polling firm Harris Interactive.
There are many reasons why someone may not be sleeping. Physical, emotional and mental problems may be disturbing the sleep cycle. But a common problem that many people don’t know about is an upper neck misalignment, that can result from head or neck injury. These misalignments can create a cascade of health problems. When accidents and injuries tear loose the connective tissue that hold the spine in place it creates a weakness, which allows the spine to break down and lock into a stressed position. Once that happens the function of the nervous system is disrupted. Nerves do 4 primary things in our body...
The fourth factor is the one that can be the most devastating when the misalignment is disrupting the function of the nervous system in the upper neck at the Brain Stem level. Stress, anxiety and pain can all be related to a misalignment in the upper neck.
Upper neck misalignments diminish your body’s ability to adapt to stress and can impact you mentally and emotionally. Pain is frequently caused by the postural changes that occur as a consequence of an upper neck misalignment.
Is it time to finally get some sleep?
Do you want to stop relying on sleeping pills and get to bed naturally?
Then NUCCA may be exactly what you’ve been looking for, to learn if this common insomnia cause is affecting you, find a doctor in your area by going to www.NUCCA.org or if you're in the Sacramento California area schedule a consultation by clicking the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Donald Erwin of Body Balance Spinal Care in Sacramento, California is an Upper Cervical Chiropractor trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA).Over the past 21 years, Dr. Erwin has helped many people find natural relief in Sacramento, California. His upper cervical clinic also serves the communities of Elk Grove, Roseville, Yuba City, Davis and Placerville. He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, sciatica, digestive disorders and auto injuries. More information can be found on his website at https://www.donerwindc.com/
We only get one spine, so it's important that we take as good care of it as possible. Avoid these habits because they are the top 5 ways to damage your spine.
This is the one habit that is the most harmful to the health and function of our spine and our nervous system. When the head is turned to the side and then the weight of the body is placed upon it…the muscles, ligaments, tendons, joints, discs, nerves, etc. are compressed. The application of this stress of stomach sleeping will lead to an acceleration of degeneration of the discs and joints. Some of the worst degenerative disc disease that I have seen in the spine is in those that have spent their life sleeping on their belly. We spend a third of our lives sleeping!
So if you shouldn’t sleep on your stomach…how should you sleep? Flat on your back is best. Some people will find that placing a pillow underneath the knees will be more comfortable. You should always sleep with only one pillow under your head though so the neck is in a relaxed position. If you are unable to sleep on your back then the next best option is on your side. When you are sleeping on your side, you want to make sure that your head and neck are in as an aligned position as possible. You should only use one pillow that is thick enough to support between your shoulder and your head. Most people have a pillow that is too thin to sleep on your side…so there head is side bent all night. The most vulnerable position for the neck to be in is side bent or extended.
This habit, which can feel good at the time will lead to hypermobility in the joints and more and more instability over time as this habit has a tendency to make you want to do it more and more. This is a sign that your spine is probably extremely misaligned and should be evaluated asap.
Here is that vulnerable position again. A side bent head is much more likely to cause a misalignment, especially when kept in this position for 30, 60 minutes or longer why you watch TV.
The longer you sit the more your posture begins to breakdown. If you are sitting for a few minutes it is much easier to keep a good posture. When you sit for hours the chances that your posture is breaking down is very high. So tip #1 is to sit as little as possible. If you can stand to do a task then do it. A least once per hour you want to get out of your chair and walk around and change the posture that you are in…something that helps you to remember to do this is to drink lots of water…which is tip #2. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day…preferrably more. A good rule of thumb is to only drink water and drink about 1/2 of your body weight in ounces per day. So if you weigh 150 pounds then you should drink 75 ounces of water per day. The more you weigh the more you need to drink to be healthy. So if you are drinking water all day then you will need to get up and go to the bathroom which will greatly benefit your spine as well…it’s a win-win. The third tip is to change positions as much as possible when you are sitting. Change the angle of your chair, the height of your chair, move things around throughout the day. Your body gets bored sitting in the same position all the time!
The less we exercise the more the joints of the spine begin to stiffen and deteriorate. So move around! Our bodies were made to move! The best exercise is the one that you will do consistently. Fast walking, swimming, elliptical etc. Pick a cardiovascular exercise and get going.
If you are in the Sacramento California area schedule a consultation by clicking the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Donald Erwin of Body Balance Spinal Care in Sacramento, California is an Upper Cervical Chiropractor trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA).Over the past 21 years, Dr. Erwin has helped many people find natural relief in Sacramento, California. His upper cervical clinic also serves the communities of Elk Grove, Roseville, Yuba City, Davis and Placerville. He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, sciatica, digestive disorders and auto injuries. More information can be found on his website at https://www.donerwindc.com/
Can a Concussion Cause Chronic Headaches?For years NUCCA doctors have been asking patients if they have a history of head and neck injuries including, car accidents, falls, times where they have been knocked unconscious, had a concussion or stitches to their head.
Why?
When accidents and injuries tear loose the connective tissue that holds the spine in place it creates a weakness, which allows the spine to break down and lock into a stressed position.
The area of the body that is the most vulnerable to injury and has the most far reaching effects is the upper neck. The top bone in the spine, the atlas sits right underneath the skull and when the tissues around it become stretched and damaged the weight of the head will be shifted from center.
Once the position of the head is altered the position of the eyes and ears is altered as well. The brain will initiate a reflex called the righting reflex in order to balance the eyes and the semicircular canals in the ears with the horizon.
The problem is now the head is slightly off center and the spine must adapt to that position by twisting and turning the remaining structure of the spine. This will lead to tilting of the shoulders, the hips and imbalance all the way down to the legs leading to an unequal distribution of weight.
Body imbalance can lead to a variety of different health problems, but frequently has the same root cause...
The original head or neck injury created a misalignment of the Atlas bone at the base of the skull which led to the subsequent problems with the structure of the body, nerve and blood flow from the brain to the body.
Here is a great example from a research article published in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research ~ January 6, 2011
A 23-year-old female patient presented for upper cervical chiropractic care five months after a slip and fall that resulted in a concussion. The patient presented with symptoms of vertigo and headaches consistent with post concussion syndrome. The patient had a longstanding history of headaches that were exacerbated by the concussion and a new complaint of positional vertigo that occurred immediately following the trauma. Significant body imbalances were noted including a leg length difference. Specific Upper Cervical X-rays demonstrated an upper cervical misalignment.
She began to receive Upper Cervical Specific Chiropractic care and the headache and vertigo was gone immediately following the first adjustment. Post X-Ray evaluation showed a significant improvement in the alignment of the head and neck. The follow up examination the following day revealed a significant decrease in muscles spasm in the neck and the legs were balanced.
The patient’s care was continued on a frequency of twice per month for evaluations and progress monitoring. She continued to report a complete resolution of vertigo and a significant improvement in the headaches as well.
Who do you know that has had a concussion? Do they have a chronic health problem? Is there a connection to the upper neck?
Only an upper cervical specialist could tell you for sure.
If you are in the Sacramento California area schedule a consultation by clicking the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Donald Erwin of Body Balance Spinal Care in Sacramento, California is an Upper Cervical Chiropractor trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA).Over the past 21 years, Dr. Erwin has helped many people find natural relief in Sacramento, California. His upper cervical clinic also serves the communities of Elk Grove, Roseville, Yuba City, Davis and Placerville. He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, sciatica, digestive disorders and auto injuries. More information can be found on his website at https://www.donerwindc.com/
References:
Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research ~ January 6, 2011
Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care of a Patient with Post Concussion Syndrome, Positional Vertigo and Headaches
Alisha Mayheu DC & Matthew Sweat DC
