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Most people have heard the term vertigo, but not everyone knows exactly what it means. It is similar to dizziness, but it is a feeling of spinning. The person may feel as if he or she is spinning or the room around a person may appear to be moving.
The system within the body that helps one maintain balance is called the vestibular system. If this system is not working properly, vertigo can be the end result. For some who experience vertigo, episodes may last only a short time and never occur again. For others, vertigo can become a chronic condition leading to other health complications.
There are some conditions that can lead a person to experience vertigo, such as:
Often the reason behind the above conditions can be traced back to some kind of accident in the person’s past, even if it was many years ago. This type of injury can be corrected by a gentle adjustment to a specific part of the neck. Many patients report that their vertigo symptoms are much better once the misalignment is corrected.
To schedule a complimentary NUCCA consultation call 916-973-0623 on click the button below.
If you are outside of the Sacramento area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
Back pain can be dull and achy on a consistent basis or come on suddenly causing sharp pain that makes it difficult to move. It can begin all at once or come about gradually over time. What can be done to avoid back pain or help relieve it once it has started?
Very few people realize that there are proper and improper ways to sleep when it comes to dealing with back pain. The worst way to sleep is lying on the stomach. This forces the neck and spine into an awkward position since the head is tipped to the side for long periods of time.
The absolute best way to sleep for back pain is lying on the back. This reduces pressure on the spine all the way from the neck to the lower back.
What about side sleepers? That falls somewhere in the middle. If one must sleep on his side, it is a good idea to use a pillow between the knees. This keeps the spine in alignment and reduces stress on the lower back during the hours spent sleeping.
Exercise is vital to a healthy back. Sitting for long periods puts stress on the lower back and can exacerbate back pain. Find something enjoyable such as walking, Pilates, swimming, or bike riding. The point is to get up and move. It can be difficult if one already has back pain, but the key is not to overdo it. Taking it slow and trying to be active every day will increase strength and decrease pain.
I encourage everyone to get regular checkups with an upper cervical chiropractor. It is possible that a misalignment in the upper neck can lead to pain all along the spine, even in the lower back. The back is connected by tissue and muscles that work from top to bottom to keep it in proper alignment. Correcting any misalignments in the upper cervical region may greatly reduce back pain.
To schedule a complimentary NUCCA consultation call 916-973-0623 on click the button below.
If you are outside of the Sacramento area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
Migraines are more than just a neurological condition that is often characterized by severe headaches. This common condition causes a huge financial burden on families, businesses, and the US economy as a whole. With 38 million suffering from migraines in America, approximately 12% of the population is directly affected. When you include those who have not yet received a diagnosis, families of sufferers, and employers of patients, those affected by migraines include the majority of people.
The two primary costs associated with migraines are medical bills and lost work. In fact, migraines are responsible for as much as $36 billion per year in expenses. Employers in the US are estimated to lose $13 billion each year as a result of employees with migraines. This is due to approximately 113 million missed days of work.
In the US alone, head pain leads to over a billion dollars in brain scans. That doesn’t even scratch the surface of the amount spent on over-the-counter and prescription medications. Since these medications focus on symptoms rather than stopping migraines from occurring, patients generally take pills for the rest of their lives.
Entire families are affected by migraines. First of all, a household will spend an average of 70% more per year on medical care if even one member suffers from migraines. Second, people who suffer from migraines are at higher risk for several other chronic conditions. These too add to the financial burden.
Upper cervical chiropractic care may be the natural and cost effective means of getting help for migraines that you have been searching for. When the upper cervical spine is properly aligned, the frequency of migraine occurrence may be greatly reduced as has been seen in numerous case studies.
Since adjustments are long-lasting, costs are kept to a minimum. A patient is only adjusted as needed. Schedule a consult today to see if upper cervical chiropractic care is right for you.
To schedule a complimentary NUCCA consultation call 916-973-0623 on click the button below.
If you are outside of the Sacramento area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
Do the symptoms of vertigo, nausea, hearing loss, ringing and fullness in the ear sound familiar? If they do, you likely know about Meniere's disease, a disorder of the inner ear. Meniere's disease typically affects people between the ages of 20 and 50, but it can happen to anyone. This condition is in a category among many others that are not yet fully understood. Rather, a lot of theories exist as to why Meniere's disease occurs.
The symptoms of Meniere's disease are caused by a buildup of excess fluid in an area of the inner ear called the labyrinth. It is in this area of the inner ear where receptors send signals to the brain about our body's movement and position. In the case of Meniere's disease, this excess fluid interferes with the body's normal ability to communicate with the brain, which can lead to vertigo.
When you think of Meniere's disease, vertigo, and the inner ear, chances are a spinal misalignment at the top of the neck is not the first thing that comes to mind. However, this area might play a critical role in uncovering a possible root cause for Meniere's disease. The atlas vertebra, the topmost one in the neck, actually sits in very close proximity to the structures of the inner ear. A misalignment here can be enough to cause the conditions that could lead to fluid balance and the disturbance of the signals that relay information to the brain about body movement and balance.
If you are suffering from any of the symptoms of Meniere's disease, including vertigo, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), loss of balance, and nausea, having your atlas alignment checked might be the first step toward lasting relief. If a misalignment is found, we address this problem using a gentle adjustment that is specific to each patient's needs. Once normal alignment is restored, many Meniere's patients report a decrease or even a complete disappearance of their symptoms.
References:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menieres-disease/basics/definition/con-20028251
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/menieres-disease
To schedule a complimentary NUCCA consultation call 916-973-0623 on click the button below.
If you are outside of the Sacramento area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
Vertigo is often described as the sensation of spinning. It may be that the person feels as if he is spinning or he may feel that his surroundings are spinning around him. Some mistakenly think it is fear or heights, but this is not true. Therefore, the question is why does vertigo happen?
Vertigo is related to the balancing system in the body. When we are born, we naturally are in balance with our environment. When this sense of balance malfunctions, it is often due to damage done to the inner ear. The ear plays a vital role in balance. Let’s see how:
One area of care that has seen success in treating vertigo patients is that of upper cervical chiropractic care. Often, vertigo can be linked to a misalignment of the upper neck vertebrae, particularly the top two bones of the neck called the C1 and C2. If they are even misaligned slightly, problems can ensue throughout the body. This is due to the fact that the brainstem meets with the spinal cord at the exact location of these bones. A misalignment puts undue pressure on the brainstem hindering it from sending the proper signals to the brain from the body. Once corrected, vertigo often is relieved along with other health issues.
To schedule a complimentary NUCCA consultation call 916-973-0623 on click the button below.
If you are outside of the Sacramento area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
Up to 46% of the world’s population is afflicted with the alienating pain of migraine headaches. These headaches are difficult to diagnose and even harder to find a solution to. Doctors, various healthcare providers, and even dentists are looking for new and better ways to help their patients cope with migraine pain. Generally, an over-the-counter or prescription drug is used as a remedy. However, more people, patients and doctors alike, are looking into natural ways to alleviate migraines.
One such person is a dentist located in Pennsylvania. He is examining the role of the jaw, neck, and head muscles in bringing about a migraine. He has discovered that the brainstem is closely related to how these muscles work and, in turn, how they affect brainstem function. He is changing the way forces are being transmitted through the jaw. By having different neuromuscular patterns, the chemistry around the brainstem changes, leading to fewer migraines.
For many years, upper cervical chiropractors have seen the same connection as the above-mentioned dentist. The alignment of the top two bones of the neck vertebrae, the C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis), are critical to the health and well-being of a person. This is particularly true when it comes to caring for migraine headaches. A connection has been made between migraines and upper cervical misalignments. A misalignment here disturbs the way that the muscles around the jaw function as they lie close to each other.
It all starts with a detailed history of the patient. Then specialized x-rays are utilized to determine if the vertebrae are out of alignment and whether or not this is affecting the jaw. Then use a gentle adjustment along with a scientific method is used to readjust these bones. No popping or twisting is involved. This allows the body to begin healing the damage to the tissues caused by this misalignment. Proper neurological function is then developed, and many patients report feeling better in a matter of only a few adjustments.
To schedule a complimentary NUCCA consultation call 916-973-0623 on click the button below.
If you are outside of the Sacramento area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
Migraines are becoming more and more of a problem in today’s busy world. It may be surprising to learn that a migraine is just one of 200 different headache types. It is important to understand what kind of a headache a person is experiencing in order to care for it properly. Here are a few common headache types:
The main thing that people with migraines want is relief. Often this involves turning to prescription or over-the-counter medications. While these may offer temporary relief, they do not address the underlying issue and may cause additional problems. One area of care that has seen much success is that of upper cervical chiropractic care.
Many times the underlying cause of migraines is a misalignment in the upper neck vertebrae. I have been specifically trained to detect these misalignments and then use a specific method to correct it. This allows the bones to realign naturally and restores communication to and from the brain and body, regulating blood flow. Many patients, including those observed in case studies, have found relief of migraines and other headache types in as little as one or two adjustments.
To schedule a complimentary NUCCA consultation call 916-973-0623 on click the button below.
If you are outside of the Sacramento area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
Sports, Sport, Sport injury, sport injuries,Unfortunately, sports injuries happen on a fairly regular basis. While playing the game is fun, getting hurt while playing is not. Icing is a great way to find relief from these kinds of injuries. One may feel that icing the injury is all that is required for healing to occur. While icing is beneficial, there is a time to apply heat also. There may also be a time where more professional help is needed.
When an injury to the body occurs, soft tissue is often damaged. The blood supply and oxygen that normally reside in this area is no longer able to get there, leading to a strained muscle or a pulled tendon. Blood and serum begin to leak into the surrounding vessels. This causes a person to experience pain, swelling, stiffness, and tenderness. At this point, it is a great idea to ice the injury to reduce the swelling being caused. Icing also constricts the blood vessels preventing any more blood or serum from leaking.
To some, it may seem that heat would be a better option, but this is not the case. Heat actually slows down the healing process due to the fact that it opens up the capillaries, bringing on more inflammation. However, there is a time to apply heat. This comes the day after icing is done. When ice is applied, blood clots form to allow healing. To help rid the body of these blood clots, heat is the perfect solution. It causes the body to reabsorb the blood.
A day or two of rest and icing/heating the injury should be enough to get a person back into the game. If he finds that he is still not feeling quite right, it is a good time to seek the care of an upper cervical chiropractor.
I often see those who play sports come into my office with misalignments in the necks due to a blow to the head or another injury. This hinders the body and brain from communicating properly and causes a number of problems. Once corrected, patients can often get back to playing in a short amount of time.
To schedule a complimentary NUCCA consultation call 916-973-0623 on click the button below.
If you are outside of the Sacramento area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
Sciatica is a painful condition that occurs when one of the largest nerves in the body is irritated. The sciatic nerve springs from the lower spine and branches off extending down each leg. This is why symptoms may vary from patient to patient. Depending on the location where this nerve is being affected, pain may be felt in the hip, lower back, buttocks, or in the leg. Pain is generally one-sided and may also involve numbness and tingling.
When it comes to back pain, sleep position can make a big difference in how a person feels in the morning. What is the best way to sleep, and how can you sleep better?
Back sleeping is usually considered the best for both neck and back. However, if you are suffering from lower back pain, you may want to try placing a pillow behind your knees. Elevating the knees slightly takes pressure off the lower back.
Side sleeping is the next best position for both the neck and back. However, the lower back can be twisted and strained if the top knee does not stay directly above the bottom knee. Therefore, keeping a pillow between the knees can help to maintain stability.
Sleeping on your stomach is the worst position for the spine. Imagine looking over one shoulder all day long. That is basically the same strain put on the spine when one sleeps in this position. Using a body pillow to prop up as much as possible is ideal until one can learn to sleep in a better position.
While sleep position is important, it does not address the underlying problem which is often a misalignment of the spine. Because upper cervical misalignments can cause shifts all throughout the spine and even put pressure on the sciatic nerve, it is important to take a top-down approach to spinal health. An examination can reveal if upper cervical subluxation is affecting your overall posture. Then a gentle adjustment can be delivered to start you on the road to better health.
To schedule a complimentary NUCCA consultation call 916-973-0623 on click the button below.
If you are outside of the Sacramento area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
Migraines and headaches are on the rise. Approximately, 46% of all adults have a headache disorder. Migraines are now being seen more and more among the younger population.
Up to 10% of children are suffering from some sort of an ongoing headache or migraine condition. An estimated 60% have an occasional headache. It can be difficult to diagnose and treat headaches in children. Often they are undiagnosed or improperly diagnosed. Parents may be leery of giving their children strong prescription drugs with harmful side effects but may feel that they are left with few options to relieve the child’s pain. They may wonder if there is any natural, non-invasive procedure that may help alleviate migraine pain for children.
Often the source of headaches and migraines is a misalignment in the upper cervical spine, particularly the C1 and C2 vertebrae. This can be due to minor falls, rough-housing, injuries while playing sports, or being hit in the head with a ball or other object. If the upper neck vertebrae become misaligned, the end result may be a migraine.
I use a gentle procedure that does not include popping and twisting of the spine. No cracking is involved. Rather it is a scientific method that allows the child’s body to begin to heal through natural means. Blood flow and oxygen flow to the brain can be restored, and the nervous system can begin to function as intended. All of these things that are affected by a misalignment can return to normal again, potentially relieving the child of the pain and disability of migraines.
Studies have been performed that show children respond well to this kind of adjustment to the neck. Behavioral problems have also improved when the spine becomes healthy again. Interestingly, 20% of adults have reported that their headaches began before age 10. Therefore, caring for a child’s headache condition while young may lead to a happier, healthier adult down the road.
To schedule a complimentary NUCCA consultation call 916-973-0623 on click the button below.
If you are outside of the Sacramento area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
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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/
