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The Position of Your Upper Cervical SpineYour upper neck vertebrae is made up of two small bones, which are the top two bones in your vertebrae. Those two bones, also called the Atlas and Axis vertebrae, make up your upper cervical spine and are positioned just at the base of your brainstem.
Due to their position just below the skull and their function of allowing the brain to communicate with the body via the brainstem, those two small bones have a great deal of responsibility. They need to support the weight of the head and the need to allow the brain to tell the body how to function.
All in all, they need to be nearly perfectly aligned, in order for the rest of the body to function properly. Those two small bones are very important in how well the brain and the entire nervous system function. Here is a list of those things the central nervous system is responsible for:
Now, this list is not a complete list of those areas of a person's body that are affected by an upper neck injury. That injury can also lead to a person experiencing chronic pain throughout their body, which is a possible sign of Fibromyalgia.
Though, many people who have suffered from Fibromyalgia in the past have provided many testimonies as to how they have found relief through the gentle care of an upper cervical chiropractor. Those testimonies talk of how patients suffered from chronic pain, stiffness, depression, chronic fatigue, and other signs of this debilitating disease.
Along with testimonies, there is also research that supports the importance of the alignment of a person's upper neck vertebrae and Fibromyalgia. One study of 23 people demonstrated the reduction of symptoms by 90% after receiving upper cervical care.
Correcting the misalignment of the neck vertebrae will help the bodies ability to heal itself.
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/
Last week, we talked about three little known facts about migraines, and this week we'll look at three other things you may not know. Though, first, we want to begin where we ended last week, and that is by talking about the wrong way and right way to take care of this neurological disorder.
Too often, those who suffer from this debilitating pain will try to find relief in medication, but medication only cover the symptoms, it may possibly cause these headaches to get worse or occur more frequently. The best thing you can do is seek the care of a health care professional who can help alleviate the underlying source of your pain, and that means allowing an upper cervical chiropractor to examine the two vertebra in your spine.
We'll discuss that more at the end of this blog, but first let's look at four more things you may not know about migraines.
As we mentioned at the beginning of this blog, while medication may give you temporary relief from your pain, it will not address the underlying cause. Migraines are a neurological disorder that can manifest themselves in various forms. People usually think of headaches as the only sign of a migraine; but they can also cause vertigo, nausea, temporary blindness, and other symptoms.
For that reason, it is important to understand that a bottle full of pills never offers healing. Your best solution is to seek the care of an upper cervical specialist, so they can help restore your body to its normal 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/
No one enjoys getting headaches, but most people drink some water, lie down for a while in a dark room, and wait for the headache to go away. It's not that easy for some people. Some people deal with migraine headaches that can last for up to 72 hours. Over the next two weeks, we'll look at 6 surprising facts that you may not know about migraines. We hope that after these next two weeks you'll have a better understanding of migraines, and why you can't just try to sleep them away.
Next week, we'll look at three more things you may not know about migraines, but there is one more thing about this debilitating pain you should know. We don't want you to have to suffer through that pain until next week, and we don't want you to feel your only option is to take medication to find relief from that pain.
So, we're going to let you in on the secret to find relief from your pain. What you are suffering from is a neurological disorder that is likely caused by a misalignment of the top two vertebrae in your neck. When your upper cervical spine is out of alignment by as little as ¼ of a millimeter that causes your brain from being able to properly communicate with your body. That can manifest itself as all sorts of issues, including migraines.
Fortunately the solution to overcoming that debilitating pain is to allow an upper cervical chiropractor to examine your neck for an undetected brainstem injury. They will make any necessary adjustments to the top two vertebrae in your neck, so as to relieve any pressure that may be the underlying cause of your migraine 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/
If you have ever experienced a migraine then you know how painful they can be. Well now we just throw the word complex in front of it and suddenly the condition is even more terrifying. The fact is that these migraines are actually scarier to experience or witness than the name can even explain. What is complex migraine syndrome? Let's take a closer look.
A migraine causes intense pain. It can also result in blurred vision, nausea, and aura. Complex migraine symptoms include all of that and more. A person may lose their vision completely. They can feel weak and fatigued and even be unable to speak, or they may speak gibberish. In fact, sometimes the people around a person who is experiencing a complex migraine mistakenly believe that the person has had a stroke.
What are some complex migraine causes? The underlying cause of complex migraines as not been identified. However, it is believed that this particularly debilitating type of migraine may be hereditary. Three different genes have been identified that are typically found in complex migraine sufferers.
Fortunately, most migraines are not complex migraines. And, even, the severe complex migraines have been shown to respond to a specialized type of spinal procedure known as upper cervical. Many migraines are caused by head or neck injuries that were never properly diagnosed and treated. If you suffer from migraines, upper cervical chiropractic care may be able to help alleviate your symptoms by correcting the misalignment of the C1 and C2 vertebrae. These two bones, found at the base of the brain, can cause problems throughout the body if misaligned. Migraines are just one of the many symptoms of an upper neck injury.
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/
Recently, the Huffington post had an article regarding some common habits that are likely making you tired. Let’s take a look at some of them and one that they missed.
It’s a myth that if you eat carbohydrates it can zap your energy later on. In reality, your body needs carbs to produce fuel.
A study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that low-carb dieters experienced greater fatigue and reluctance to exercise than dieters who ate more carbohydrates. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic found similar results. The key here is the kind of carbs you’re eating. Sugary cereals and white toast are not good for you. Natural, unprocessed carbs (whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are your best sources). And if you don't get them, your brain will steal energy that is stored in your muscles. Over time, this causes a loss in muscle mass and a slower metabolism. You’ll feel slower altogether.
According to nutritionist Julie Hammerstein “Prescription medicine certainly have its place, but medication can stress the liver, which is what frees the body of toxins.” And if the liver is fatigued, so is the body. Talk to your doctor about whether this is a concern, and make sure you’re taking only medication that is essential.
Piles of stuff everywhere? Papers covering your desk? This clutter could be zapping your energy. When clutter is around it can make your brain feel overwhelmed and unable to focus, according to research from the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute, and that can make you fatigued. Best solution: clean up a small area that’s cluttered and see how it changes your mood and energy level. Once you see the amazing effects a little order can have, you can get going on the rest of the mess!
New kinds of bottled drinks are everywhere you look. And few product categories have seen as much growth as the non-carbonated bottled water market -- nearly $5.9 billion in sales according to the beverage industry. The problem: “Vitamin drinks trick your body, especially those with B vitamins and taurine, another energy enhancer,” says Hammerstein. “They can actually have the reverse effect by making you tired.” This is because the body doesn’t easily metabolize B vitamins taken in an isolated form -- as in energy drinks. The drinks can overexcite you, causing a jittery, wired, and yes, tired feeling.
If you’re someone who can sit in front of a computer screen for hours and surf the Web, it could be making you tired. Prolonged use of the computer can cause Computer Vision Syndrome, according to the American Optometric Association. Symptoms can include fatigue, blurred vision, and headaches. How to solve the problem? Experts suggest that for every 20 minutes of computer reading you do, look away for 20 seconds and focus on an object 20 feet away. That should reduce your eye strain. You should also make sure your computer is at the right level for your eyes.
Simply put, micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, and plant nutrients found in fruits and vegetables) are necessary for optimal health. Antioxidants found in veggies protect our bodies from free radical damage, which can lead to everything from accelerated aging to a lack of energy to cancer. So eat your spinach, kale, red grapes, and papaya -- all vital sources of energy.
Yes, everyone tells you to exercise to feel better. But overdoing it can over-tax your adrenal glands by causing your body to release too much cortisol. This can lead to fatigue, which can sap your energy for days. On a scale of 1 to 10, The Mayo Clinic recommends your exercise exertion should be 6 or 7. This is moderate exercise. Anything less is too mild; anything close to an 8 or 9 leads to burnout. Know your body and your level of fitness. You should be able to wake up the next day and repeat the same activity without substantial effort. If you can’t do that, you’re overdoing it.
A history of head or neck injuries can lead to a misalignment in the upper neck where the brain and spinal cord come together. These upper neck misalignments will result in a variety of different problems that can zap your energy. With 62% of American adults experiencing problems sleeping a few nights a week, Americans desperately need to sleep better. Upper cervical Chiropractic has been shown to improve sleep, both in children and adults.
In addition, when someone is under upper cervical chiropractic care for a while they begin to notice some of the positive side benefits of chiropractic, including more energy and less fatigue.
If you do a Google search to see all the chiropractic patients who have provided testimonials indicating that they have more energy now you will be overwhelmed.
Changing your habits can change your life. You can take positive steps to improve your health and well-being today!
It's a sad fact that a lot of people avoid going to the doctor if their only complaint is feeling tired and worn out all the time because they fear the doctor is either going to make them feel like it's an imaginary problem or that they just need to get more sleep. Worse, in many cases, including chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia, the patient is given medication that helps them sleep or anti-anxiety medications, however this doesn't need to be the case. Understanding why you're experiencing an extreme lack of energy is key when it comes to addressing the problem and while the cause of the condition hasn't been determined yet, there are chiropractic treatments that can help including Upper Cervical chiropractic, a form of upper cervical specific chiropractic care.
CFS the name of a health issue that causes acute, ongoing fatigue that is not caused by other medical conditions or relieved by rest. While the actual cause of CFS hasn't been determined, some theories believe that it may be due to a viral infection, however none have been identified as of yet. Other complaints that accompany CFS are: sensitivity of various chemicals, headaches, sensitivity to some odors, muscle soreness, trouble concentrating, trouble sleeping and short term memory loss. In addition, inflammation in the nervous system caused by a malfunctioning immune system has also been suggested as a cause. Although symptoms differ from person to person, the intense fatigue experienced can lead to trouble handling day to day activities and loss of work.
In the case of the second theory mentioned above (inflammation in the nervous system), chronic fatigue syndrome has responded quite well to the Upper Cervical chiropractic approach. Since Upper Cervical care has been shown to have a positive effect on the central nervous system, relieving pressure that's caused by a misalignment of the head and neck, it addresses the pressure that can develop on the delicate nerve tissues located in the brainstem and upper spinal cord, a pressure on the nerves that experts believe contributes to chronic fatigue symptoms.
Upper Cervical care can also improve your response to CFS by improving the exchange of oxygen in your tissues and in some cases, exercise, nutrition and massage therapies are also utilized.
Upper Cervical doctors have cared for many patients who present with CFS, in many cases after the patient has tried everything else first and hours of medical testing hasn't reached any conclusions. The Upper Cervical approach can help the body help itself, often providing the patient with relief from this often devastating condition.
To find out if the Upper Cervical procedure can help address your chronic fatigue problems, testing, which is painless, will need to be carried out to identify if you have a head and neck misalignment. If Upper Cervical can work for you, you'll avoid having to take pain medications and anti-anxiety drugs that come with a long list of negative and potentially dangerous side effects; before you go this route, it's better to try a more conservative, natural form of care like Upper Cervical chiropractic, a side effect free, non-invasive and painless chronic fatigue syndrome approach.
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, there are a number of factors that could be the underlying cause of your pain. You may suffer because of food allergies, genetics, your medication (yes, your medication may cause your migraines), environmental factors, or any number of other factors may cause your pain.
Though, other than various environmental or genetic factors, no no one is quite sure what internal factors cause migraines. There are two main theories that we will discuss.
Vascular Disturbance – This theory postulates that migraines occur when there is a spasm of the cerebral artery. This causes various neurological symptoms including local hypoxia and other transient focal systems that leads to your migraine. Basically, there is a perturbation in the blood vessels.
Neuronal Disturbance – This relates migraines to a paroxysmal, transient depolarization of various neurons, most of which are cortical neurons. It is theorized that this depolarization is what causes the transient focal systems that leads to your migraine.
According to more than one case study on migraines, a misalignment of the Atlas vertebrae, which is the top vertebrae in a person's upper neck, interacts with the Trigeminovascular system and causes decreased intracranial compliance. That decrease in cerebral spinal flow occurs from the jugular to the paravertebral plexus route and leads to migraines.
Though, no matter whether your migraines are due to a disturbance in your cerebral blood flow or a depolarization of your neurons, your migraines are most likely because of a miscommunication in your brain. Your brain communicates with your body via the brainstem, and a misalignment of only ¼ of a millimeter in your upper neck vertebrae hinders your brain's ability to communicate with your body.
Now, you can cover up the symptoms of your migraines by taking medication, but that will only help for a short time. Though, some medications will worsen them. Or you can allow an upper cervical chiropractor to examine your upper cervical spine and make any corrections that are necessary to restore your body's communication system thereby reducing or eliminating your migraines.
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/
Seizures can have a negative effect on many different aspects of a person's life. It can affect a person's ability to drive, to be in certain lighting, and to enjoy various forms of entertainment. Often, seizures are accompanied by a loss of time, and they can even cause other dangers depending on the situation a person finds themselves in when a seizure occurs. Because of this there are many different medical treatments available for the control of seizures and epilepsy. Most of these treatments involve the use of pharmaceutical drugs that can have many and varied side effects. Is there any way to attain natural and drug-free relief from seizures? Upper cervical chiropractic may be able to help. Keep reading to learn more.
The causes of seizures are many and varied. Often, injuries to the head and upper neck are involved. This is where upper cervical chiropractic comes in. Rather than treating the seizures themselves, which are merely a symptom of the injury, upper cervical chiropractic treats the subluxation (or misalignment) of the C1 and C2 vertebrae. What problems are caused when these vertebrae are misaligned?
Upper neck injuries can cause problems with the central nervous system. This is because the C1 and C2 vertebrae are positioned right at the base of the brain stem where it meets the spinal cord. Injuries can thus cause communication issues throughout the body. The physical manifestations can be anything from headaches to immune system problems. Seizures are also included in the list of possible complications of this type of injury.
A number of documented studies show that seizures can become less common or even stop completely when the sufferer receives upper cervical chiropractic care. This is because the underlying injuries are being treated. Such head and neck injuries may have occurred as early as birth. Other times the injuries occur later such as in an automobile accident.
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/
During the birth process a misalignment can occur in the upper neck that will change the communication between the brain and the body leading to a variety of different problems, including acid reflux.
Several medical doctors from Europe have done extensive research into upper neck problems in newborns and how that relates to the health of children. For instance, Dr. Godfrey Gutmann, a German medical researcher was looking into the connection all the way back to the 1960's... in 1987 Dr. Gutmann published his research linking the upper neck to problems ranging from acid reflux to scoliosis, ear infections, torticollis, colic and many other common childhood conditions. Gutmann found over 80% of the over 1000 infants in his study had problems in the upper neck that needed to be addressed!
Birth trauma was the most common cause of upper neck misalignment in newborns. Forceps delivery, vacuum extraction and even just normal birthing methods with a woman flat on her back rather than in the standing position where gravity can work, can be an extremely traumatic experience for the head and neck of a newborn.
Upper neck misalignments can be corrected in babies safely, gently and effectively with an upper cervical chiropractic approach such as Upper Cervical.
If you have a child that’s been diagnosed with acid reflux, before considering giving medication to your baby have their upper neck evaluated for a traumatic birth injury. You can look for the cause of the problem rather than just covering up the symptoms.
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/
Did you know that you don't need to be in a moving vehicle in order to suffer whiplash? Of course, you don't. Whiplash can occur when your vehicle is struck from behind at only 5 MPH. Did you know that you don't even have to be in a vehicle in order to experience whiplash? That's right.
So, what is it, and how does it happen? Well, your neck is only meant to extend itself so far in either direction. When you overextend your neck in any one of those directions, you strain your neck by stretching and tearing your neck's muscles and tendons.
Now, avoiding getting hit by that vehicle behind you is difficult enough, but avoiding a scenario that might cause whiplash away from a car is a little more difficult. That's because most people don't know what types of circumstances might put them at risk of whiplash.
So, we thought we'd list some of those activities people take part in that may cause whiplash. Then, you can take better care to not get into situations in which you compromise the health of your neck.
Now that you know what activities can cause whiplash, you can take precautions to avoid putting yourself (or in the case of shaken baby syndrome, your child) in situations that put you at risk of straining your neck. The good news is if you or your child do experience whiplash because of one of these factors you can do something about it.
Right now, you can begin to alleviate that pain by seeking out the care of an upper cervical chiropractor. They will examine your upper neck vertebrae for any misalignments in your spine's top two vertebrae that may be the cause of your pain. Then, they will make any necessary correction to help you go through the healing process.
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/
