upper cervical blogdr. blom Work Specifically in the neck and neck related disorders?
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Can Neck Problems Cause Dizziness? Vertigo, Dizziness, Disequilibrium and many other types of conditions can be directly related to old head and neck injuries that have never been properly addressed and the underlying damage to the upper neck has led to dysfunction in the ears, the balancing system of the body or both. When the head or neck is injured the upper neck (Atlas & Axis) frequently become twisted and misaligned leading to a slight displacement of the head...sometimes by as little as 3/4 of a degree. Once the heavy head (10-14 lbs) is tilting to the side the brain has to compensate for that change through the righting reflex to keep the eyes and ears level with the horizon at all times. The entire structure of the body will twist and tilt in order to compensate for those upper neck misalignments and head tilt. Eventually leading to pressure building up into the nerve system. Brain Stem Dysfunction The area that is first impacted by these problems is the brain stem area, which is just basically a part of the brain that extends down into the spine and connects to the spinal cord. The brain stem area is a key to the balance of our bodies. The upper neck area also has more pressure sensors than anywhere else in the body that feed information into the brain stem and the brain. Also the brain stem sends messages via the cranial nerves to the ears for balance as well. Blood flow is also affected when the brain stem function is altered. When someone is suffering from vertigo, dizziness, or disequilibrium, the brain stem is frequently involved. Upper neck misalignments alter the brain stem function and can lead to these types of problems. When these old injuries are dealt with by the correction of the head position by a precise upper cervical corrective procedure such as Upper Cervical, the healing process can begin. To find out more about the connection between head and neck injuries and Ménière's disease download are e-book below. Holding the corrections is the key to healing, not having your spine manipulated 1000's of times!
Now not all dizziness, vertigo and disequilibrium is related to head and neck traumas. But if you have a history of accidents involving your head or neck, then an evaluation with a qualified upper cervical chiropractor is very important. If the underlying cause can be identified, what a difference it can make for your life! You can find natural Vertigo, Dizziness and Disequilibrium Relief in Boise, Idaho What to Do Next To find an upper cervical chiropractor in your area go to www.upcspine.com or if you are in the Boise Idaho area, just click the button to schedule an appointment.
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Are Your Ear Problems All in Your Neck? Meniere's Disease, Cochlear Hydrops, Tinnitus, hearing loss, ear infections, dizzines, and vertigo can be related to trauma to the nerves in the upper neck (lower brain stem area) that go into the ears. Upper neck trauma can lead to a variety of different ear problems due to the neurological connections. Dr. Michael Burcon in Michigan has done excellent work in researching the connection between the upper neck and conditions like Meniere's Disease, tinnitus, vertigo and others. Burcon has established a link to these conditions with whiplash injuries that misalign the base of the skull with the top of the neck creating a lesion affecting the Eustachian tube. About half of these traumas are caused by car crashes and the other half from injuries involving head trauma. Burcon believes that the correlation was not made because it takes an average of fifteen years from the time the patient was injured until the onset of symptoms. To find out more about the connection between head and neck injuries and Ménière's disease download our e-book below. Patients typically get diagnosed with these conditions in middle age. Their injuries most often happened during high school or college years from a car accident, sports injury or fall on their heads. Few patients list these old injuries on their doctor’s admission paper work.
In fact, they have often forgotten about them, believing they were not hurt if they were not admitted to the hospital. It is possible to have fewer than the four classic symptoms (hearing loss, fullness, tinnitus, and vertigo) yet be diagnosed with it; this is sometimes said to be "atypical" Meniere's Disease. Some Meniere's Disease patients experience hearing loss, fullness, and tinnitus with no vertigo at all, a condition sometimes described as "cochlear hydrops." When the cause is addressed amazing recovery can take place. But the cause has to be identified and addressed. Upper Cervical and Ménière’s Disease Have you been diagnosed with Cochlear Hydrops, Meniere's, vertigo or other ear related conditions? Have you ever had your upper neck thoroughly evaluated to see if the underlying cause could be there? Today could be your day. Ménière's Disease Meniere's Disease is defined by www.mayoclinic.com as a disorder of the inner ear that causes spontaneous episodes of vertigo along with fluctuating hearing loss, ringing in the ear (tinnitus), and sometimes a feeling of fullness or pressure in your ear. Vertigo is the most distressing symptom of Meniere’s disease. Vertigo is a sensation of rotation or spinning. The vertigo can last from ten minutes to 24 hours. It may also be associated with nausea and/or vomiting. After the vertigo has gone away, most patients have imbalance and fatigue for one or two days until returning to normal. Hearing loss is also an associated symptom of Meniere’s disease. Hearing loss usually fluctuates. In most cases hearing loss is only in one ear, but in rare instances, hearing loss can be in both ears. The hearing loss is typically in the low tones. If left untreated, hearing can drop until there is permanent loss in that ear. Pressure and/or fullness in the diseased ear are another complaint. This can occur before or during an attack. Tinnitus, or ringing in the ear, can also occur. This is often a result of the hearing loss. To find out more about the connection between head and neck injuries and Ménière's disease download are e-book below. Vertigo and Ménière’s
Most normal individuals cannot appreciate the devastating impact of vertigo. The patient perceives that the world is spinning around them. Vertigo disrupts every aspect of life since the patient loses the ability to do anything normally, especially when movement is involved. It can totally incapacitate the individual, often confining them to bed. The Merck Manual states that the cause of Meniere’s disease is unknown; the condition is poorly understood, and the medical treatment is ineffective.A theory proposed in the Upper Cervical Chiropractic community is that the most common cause of Meniere’s disease is a structural problem, i.e., an atlas (top bone in the neck) misalignment that is irritating the origin of a nerve that controls both equilibrium and hearing in the ear (Cranial Nerve VIII). Misalignment between the atlas and Occiput can cause swelling in the immediate area, putting pressure on the nucleus of nerve and/or the auditory (Eustachian) tube. Recently Dr. Michael Burcon investigated the effects of upper cervical specific chiropractic management of one hundred and thirty-nine patients medically diagnosed with Meniere’s disease. Next time we will look at the results of this study and find out more about how this condition is linked to underlying trauma. Patients with a history of both vertigo and trauma should be evaluated by an upper cervical specific chiropractor today. References: http://www.burconchiropractic.com/g5-bin/client.cgi?G5button=626&subcategoryID=2355 Cervical Specific Protocol and Results for 139 Meniere’s Patients, Michael T. Burcon, B.Ph., D.C. What to Do Next To find an upper cervical chiropractor in your area go to www.upcspine.com or if you are in the Boise Idaho area, just click the button to schedule an appointment. Ménière's Disease Last time we looked at a condition called Ménière's disease, which involves several devastating symptoms including vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss. Today were going to look at a natural, safe and gentle approach for people suffering with this condition. Recently Dr. Michael Burcon investigated the effects of upper cervical specific chiropractic management of one hundred and thirty-nine patients medically diagnosed with Meniere’s disease. After upper cervical specific chiropractic care, one hundred and thirty-six out of the one hundred and thirty-nine patients presented with an absence or dramatic reduction of symptoms, especially vertigo...that's 97%!. After two years, on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 representing the absence of the symptom and 10 being the worst imaginable, vertigo was lowered from an average of 8.5 to 1.4. Prior to the onset of symptoms, all one hundred and thirty nine cases suffered cervical traumas; most from automobile accidents, resulting in previously undiagnosed whiplash injuries. These improvements made a significant difference for 135 out of 139 patients, effecting whether or not they could work, drive and/or have a positive relationship with their spouse. They might get dizzy, but would not have vertigo. They might get nausea, but would no longer vomit. For those that still had attacks, they occurred less often, lasted for a shorter duration and were not as intense. Recovery time was also significantly shorter. To find out more about the connection between head and neck injuries and Ménière's disease download are e-book below. Hope for Vertigo, Tinnitus and Hearing Loss
Here an Example from Dr. Burcon's study of a Typical Case History with Results "Jack first presented with left-sided Meniere’s on June 11, 2001. He was diagnosed by an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist based on the results of a normal MRI of the brain, positive audiological examination for hearing loss, and an abnormal bithermal caloric test (ENG). He was referred to the Michigan Ear Institute, where endolymphatic sac decompression surgery was recommended. He declined surgery and received a letter recommending that he apply for disability benefits, which were granted by the State of Michigan. Case history included a rear ended type of automobile accident at 45 mph in 1980. Meniere’s symptoms started in 1994 with frequent bouts of vertigo lasting from one day to one week, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Complaints included constant ear fullness and tinnitus, and frequent neck pain and headaches. Jack presented with a 1” short left leg relative to his right. The next week he presented with his legs balanced and was vertigo free. His wife said that his voice had changed. He reported being able to walk four times as far. At six weeks, according to his Meniere’s questionnaire, vertigo was down to 2 from 10, nausea/vomiting down to 0 from 10 and ear pressure 1 from 10 (10 being the worst possible). He went just over one year with no vertigo." All patients with a history of vertigo or dizziness should be questioned about a history of trauma, especially whiplash from an automobile accident, contact sports injury, or serious falls. Patients often forget these accidents, thinking that they were not hurt because they did not break any bones and were not bleeding. Patients with a history of both vertigo and trauma should be referred to an upper cervical specific chiropractor for examination. References: http://www.burconchiropractic.com/g5-bin/client.cgi?G5button=626&subcategoryID=2355 Cervical Specific Protocol and Results for 139 Meniere’s Patients, Michael T. Burcon, B.Ph., D.C. What to Do Next To find an upper cervical chiropractor in your area go to www.upcspine.com or if you are in the Boise Idaho area, just click the button to schedule an appointment. Understanding Cervical Vertigo So, you've heard of vertigo, but have you ever heard of Cervical Vertigo? Well, it is also known as Cervicogenic Dizziness, which is postural unsteadiness that is aggravated by neck (cervical spine) movements associated with pain and stiffness in the neck. This is a type of non-rotary dizziness that causes imbalance or unsteadiness due to the position or movements of the neck. So, how does a person know if they suffer from this type upper neck injury if there is no spinning associated with it? Well, even though the room does not spin, there are still symptoms that a person can and should be aware of. Symptoms of Cervical Vertigo
Cervical Vertigo and the Upper Cervical Spine
There are many proposed causes this form of dizziness, including whiplash, cervical spondylosis (age related wear and tear in the spine of the neck), and more. Though, according to one study, it can also be caused by a dysfunction in deep muscular proprioceptors (sensors that provide information about joints, muscles, and limbs) in the upper cervical spine. Due to this dysfunction, the Vestibular Nuclei (Cranial Nuclei for the Vestibular Nerve) receives the wrong information. The path it takes is through the brainstem, but if there is a misalignment in the upper neck vertebrae the right signals do not get to the right parts of the brain. Cervical Vertigo sufferers can find relief when the body's communication system is restored by realigning the upper neck vertebrae. An upper cervical chiropractor can examine the upper neck vertebrae for any misalignments and focus on alleviating a frequent underlying cause of your dizziness. To find an upper cervical chiropractor in your area go to www.upcspine.com or if you are in the Boise Idaho area, just click the button to schedule an appointment. A Case Study on Migraines A case study from the Blair upper cervical chiropractic group reveals more evidence linking head and neck trauma to migraine headaches and vertigo. This case study is another example of what the upright MRI research is revealing. Here's a quote from Dr. Lenarz's case report: A 54 year-old female patient entered the office with complaints of migraines 1-2 times per week and extreme chronic neck pain and vertigo for the past 10 years. She was injured in a motor vehicle accident ten years prior to her first visit in our office. The patient was seen 19 times over a period of 12 weeks. She received 3 upper cervical corrections during this time. The patient reported having 1 migraine 2 weeks after the first correction. Since that time, she has reported no migraine episodes, neck pain or vertigo. Vertigo and Migraine Headaches Dr. Raymond Damadian, the inventor of the MRI has been doing some amazing research with upright MRIs. 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. This research is helping scientists to explain the results upper cervical chiropractors are seeing in their offices every day. To find out more about the connection between head and neck injuries and Ménière's disease download are e-book below. The upright MRI technology can show the obstruction at the first few bones in the neck and how this misalignment causes a backup of CSF and increased intracranial pressure. When the misalignment is corrected by an upper cervical procedure such as Upper Cervical, the studies show that the pressure decreases by significantly and the CSF flow becomes normal.
These changes in CSF, blood flow and intracranial pressure are likely linked to the results upper cervical chiropractors see with migraine patients and several other conditions, especially after a history of head or neck trauma. References: Upper cervical chiropractic care for chronic migraines and vertigo: a case report Michael Lenarz, D.C., Christopher Perkins, D.C., Mychal Beebe, D.C To find an upper cervical chiropractor in your area go to www.upcspine.com or if you are in the Boise Idaho area, just click the button to schedule an appointment. Vertigo, Tinnitus, and Meniere's Disease Do you suffer from Vertigo? Do you also hear constant ringing? If you said yes to both of those, your dizzy spells and ringing in your ears may be symptomatic of Meniere's Disease. This condition is accompanied by fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear, and bouts of Vertigo. It can affect anyone at any age, but it most commonly affect people in their 40's and 50's. Causes of Meniere's Disease The causes are unknown, but current research suggests it may either be the result of a large amount of or types of fluids in the inner ear. The inner ear contains hair-like sensors that respond to fluids that move throughout it. There needs to be a certain amount of volume, pressure, and chemical compound that tell these hair-like sensors to function properly. Research suggests that a probable cause may be that when those factors of fluid are altered, Meniere's Disease occurs. Other possible causes include:
Though, knowing what causes Meniere's Disease is not as important as knowing what you can do about it. It's very important that you not just live with it because if left alone it can lead to permanent hearing loss. You can begin by eliminating certain foods and beverage from your diet that may trigger this condition
Meniere's Disease Triggers
Chronic Headaches and Vertigo? For years Upper Cervical 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 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. Tremendous Health Results 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 were 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. To find out more about the connection between head and neck injuries and Ménière's disease download our e-book below. 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 was evaluated with Atlas Orthogonal protocol for necessity of adjustment and her symptoms were monitored at every evaluation. She continued to report a complete resolution of vertigo and intermittent headaches rated as 2/10 that occurred at an average of two hours/day. 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. References: Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research ~ January 6, 2011 Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care of a Patient with Post Concussion Syndrome, Many Americans Battle Vertigo At times, Singer Jordin Sparks has gone several days without a proper night's sleep after she has been struck down with crippling bouts of vertigo. Ironically, Jordin Sparks has a song called Vertigo (2009) as well, about how love is making her dizzy. But, now she is struggling with the actual debilitating condition. In a post on Twitter.com, she writes, "I have not had a solid sleep session for 4 days. I have a serious case of vertigo. Dizzy when I'm up & dizzy when I'm laying down." Sparks is one of millions of Americans who struggle with vestibular disorders like vertigo. The medical treatment of vertigo involves dozens of over-the-counter and prescription medications, most of which at best control symptoms. But, as with all medications do not address the underlying cause. To find out more about the connection between head and neck injuries and Ménière's disease download our e-book below. Head and Neck Trauma and Vertigo
Many people who suffer with vestibular disorders like vertigo, dizziness, disequilibrium and others have a history of head and neck trauma. Some of the most hopeful research for vertigo sufferers has come out in the past 5 years. Dr. Michael Burcon has investigated the effects of upper cervical specific chiropractic management of patients medically diagnosed with vertigo. In one of his studies looking at upper cervical specific chiropractic care and vertigo, one hundred and thirty-six out of the one hundred and thirty-nine patients presented with an absence or dramatic reduction of symptoms, especially vertigo...that's 97%! After two years, on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 representing the absence of the symptom and 10 being the worst imaginable, vertigo was lowered from an average of 8.5 to 1.4. Prior to the onset of symptoms, all one hundred and thirty nine cases suffered cervical traumas; most from automobile accidents, resulting in previously undiagnosed whiplash injuries. If Jordin Sparks or others struggling with vertigo have a history of head or neck trauma, an upper neck evaluation is extremely important. This type of evaluation can only be performed by an upper cervical specialist to determine if the underlying damage to the upper neck is likely leading to these problems. Whiplash on the Ears Two million people are exposed to whiplash injury (related to an auto accident) in the U.S. every year. When the head is suddenly jerked back and forth or side-to-side beyond its normal limits, ligaments supporting the neck vertebrae can be sprained (over-stretched) or torn, forcing vertebrae out of their normal position. In tests of low speed rear impact collisions, it was reported that the neck can be injured even in slow speeds accidents as low as 5 mph. Most rear impact accidents occur at crash speeds of 6 to 12 mph - speeds below the threshold for property damage to the vehicle - but sufficient to cause neck injury. Whiplash injuries to the cervical spine can occur in sports (skiing, hockey, football, cycling, ice skating, gymnastics, boxing), during falls (down a flight of stairs, on an icy sidewalk), and many more! German researchers Dr. Kaeser and Dr. Ettlin have found that a whiplash injury can lead to a variety of problems including dizziness, speech problems, throat problems and hearing loss. To find out more about the connection between head and neck injuries and Ménière's disease download are e-book below. In the conclusion of the research article, these German medical doctors say that whiplash symptoms often respond to upper neck adjustments.
How We can Help If a person (infant, child, or adult) experiences an accident, a proper spinal exam is necessary to assess whether a neck injury occurred. An upper cervical chiropractic specialist uses specialized testing and specific x-rays of the upper neck to accurately assess a neck injury. If a neck injury is found, a specific adjustment is used to correct the injured vertebrae. Correction of the neck injury can improve, reverse, and prevent numerous whiplash symptoms. To find an upper cervical chiropractor in your area go to www.upcspine.com or if you are in the Boise Idaho area, just click the button to schedule an appointment. |
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