upper cervical blogdr. blom Work Specifically in the neck and neck related disorders?
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When you consider the way it is built, your neck is an amazing combination of strength and mobility. Often referred to as the cervical spine, your neck serves as a flexible connection between the head and the rest of the body. Its primary purpose is to support and balance the head while controlling its movements. The neck is complicated. It is made up of seven cervical vertebrae connected by a series of joints, muscles, spinal ligaments, discs, nerves, and blood vessels. The central nervous system is housed within the spinal column, and the neck is charged with protecting the brainstem as it exits from the base of the skull and transitions into your spinal cord below. However, since the neck is the most flexible and freely movable region of your spine, it is also more vulnerable to injury and wear and tear that can lead to neck pain. When you experience neck pain, the complexity of the neck can make troubleshooting your problem a challenge. Examining Daily Habits for Neck Pain Relief When you’re dealing with neck pain, staying active and maintaining as close to a normal daily routine as possible is the best thing you can do to limit the impact the pain is having on your life. You may, however, need to modify the way you go about certain activities or movements to reduce the risk of aggravating tender, irritated tissues. In other words, you don’t need to stop doing things, you might just have to change the way you go about doing them. The following list might provide clues as to habits that are contributing to your neck pain as well as solutions to ease the discomfort:
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and chronic neck pain download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
Paying attention during these routine daily activities can help you identify bad habits that you may have developed over time that can be contributing to your neck pain and preventing relief. Lasting Relief is Possible with Upper Cervical Chiropractic While it might be easy to find many short-lived solutions to neck pain like applying a heat pack or taking pain-relieving medication, the truth is that unless the underlying cause of the problem is corrected, the problem never truly has the chance to resolve. Knowing that the neck is complex, upper cervical chiropractic focuses on the one part of the neck that is the most complicated, the most flexible, and has the biggest impact on how the neck feels and functions. The atlas vertebra is shaped differently because it has a different job to do – the atlas supports the weight of the head and gives it a remarkable freedom of movement. Because it moves so freely, it is also particularly vulnerable to misalignment due to accident, injury, or wear and tear. When the atlas shifts out of its normal position, the rest of the neck is forced into a stressed position to compensate for the weight of the head being carried in an abnormal position. The upper cervical chiropractic approach seeks to restore normal atlas alignment in order to address the underlying cause of many long-standing neck problems. At Upper Cervical Health Center Boise, the gentle, effective methods we use are often the overlooked piece that gets people over the hump and feeling better. Getting rid of stubborn neck pain can mean the return to enjoying activities and experiences that you may have had to give up because of your condition. If you are looking for some much-needed neck pain relief in Boise, ID, contact us for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Grayson Blom to learn more about how we can help you. References: https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/quick-facts-bone,-joint,-and-muscle-disorders/neck-and-low-back-pain/neck-pain https://www.everydayhealth.com/pain-management/neck-pain/understanding/index.aspx To schedule a consultation with Dr. Blom click the button below or call 208-559-0541.
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To begin with, it is important to note that vertigo is not a condition but rather a symptom of other health conditions. It is the feeling that you or the things in your environment are spinning about. It can be barely noticeable, or it can be so severe if it causes you to have to sit or lie down until the spinning feeling passes. You may find it impossible to keep your balance or do your everyday routine tasks. Attacks of vertigo can come on suddenly, without warning. They can last a few seconds or much longer. With severe vertigo cases, your symptoms may be consistent and last for several days. This can make living your life very difficult. Along with vertigo, it is common to experience other symptoms:
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo download our complimentary e-book
With Upper Cervical Chiropractic care we use precision methods that gently moves the bones back into place without the need to pop or crack the neck or back. This method is based on scientific measurements derived from precision x-rays and a precise spinal correction is tailored to each patients unique anatomy. Once the bones are back in place and proper communication is restored between the brain and body, the patient will go through a healing process and symptoms will begin to improve and in many cases go away completely as the body begins healing itself. This is proportional to the nature and degree of spinal injury and resulting damage to the spine. Many people don't think to have their neck evaluated and often delay seeking care until a significant problem has developed over time. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Blom click the button below or call 208-559-0541. When you hear someone say they suffer from migraines, you probably imagine they have really bad headaches from time to time. While this is true to a point, it is not the entire story. Migraines are not just really bad headaches. They are actually a disabling collection of neurological symptoms that include a really bad headache. Pain is often confined to one side of the head. However, in a third of the cases, pain can impact both sides. Attacks can last anywhere between 4 and 72 hours. The following symptoms often accompany the throbbing, pounding head pain:
What Causes Migraines? Previously, it was thought that the dilation and constriction of blood vessels in the head brought on migraine pain. However, current thinking has changed due to advances in technology helping us to better see how the brain and nervous system function together. It is now agreed upon that nerve pathways and brain chemicals are involved in causing migraines. Migraines are hereditary, and 90 percent of people with migraines have a family member with them. Migraines and the Connection to Heart Disease An analysis from the Nurses Health Study II, a Harvard study, observed 115,541 women in the age range of 25 to 42, from 1989 through 2011. When the study began, 15 percent of these had migraines. Here is what happened over these two decades:
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and migraines download our complimentary e-book. A more recent study, published in 2018, backs up these findings. This study was performed in Denmark. The BMJ, a medical journal, published the results connecting an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation (a kind of irregular heart rhythm), and blood clots starting in a person’s veins to those suffering from migraines.
Lead study author Dr. Kasper Adelborg, a cardiologist at Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark, explains how previous studies, such as the one mentioned above, suggested a link between heart disease and migraines, particularly in women. His study not only confirmed this link but was also able to verify that other heart problems were included as well. Things such as blood clots and atrial fibrillation were also a risk. His study included a large number of people, providing researchers with additional clues about how migraines impact cardiovascular problems at a population level. The study looked at data from about 51,000 people in Denmark diagnosed with migraines and about 510,000 people who did not have migraines. The migraine group was diagnosed by age 35, and 71 percent of them were women. The study followed these people over a 19-year period. The results revealed that people with migraines had a 1.5-fold increased risk of heart attack and a 2-fold increased risk of stroke compared to those without migraines. When it came to blood clots, migraine sufferers were 1.6 times more likely to get them, and atrial fibrillation put migraine sufferers at 1.3 times greater risk than those who were migraine-free. What is the Connection Between the Heart and the Head? Several reasons exist as to why those with migraines may be more susceptible to cardiovascular disease. It may be due to the sudden constriction of blood vessels in the brain, which can make a person not only have a migraine but also be more prone to strokes. Another reason can be that people with migraines are less active during an attack, leading to their resting more and making them vulnerable to blood clots. Finding a Natural Way to Combat Migraines Turning to a bottle of pain relievers may be a quick and easy answer to fighting the pain of migraines. However, it is not a long-lasting solution due to the health problems that will arise due to the side effects of long-term drug use. Unless the underlying cause is addressed, they will continue to occur and continue to put your heart health at risk. Dr. Grayson Blom of Upper Cervical Health Center Boise in Boise, Idaho, uses an alternative, natural way to care for migraines. It has been shown that migraines commonly occur due to a misalignment of the bones of the upper cervical spine (Atlas and Axis). If the bones here have become misaligned due to a car accident (whiplash), a sporting accident, a trip and fall, or some other kind of blow to the head and neck, they may be putting undue pressure on the brainstem and hindering the proper flow of blood from entering and exiting the brain. This can lead to migraines. We use a gentle method that is based on scientific measurements and a precision technique to help the vertebrae move back into their original positions. We do not need to pop or crack the neck to get positive results. In fact the adjustment is very underwhelming. Many patients report seeing a great improvement in migraines within a short period of time. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Blom click the button below or call 208-559-0541. Meniere’s disease can be extremely exasperating for those who suffer from it. It is a disorder of the inner ear most commonly known for the following three symptoms:
Meniere’s can impact anyone at any age but is most often observed in people in the age range of 20 to 50. It is mostly considered to be a chronic condition, but the symptoms can be lessened through proper care. In fact, there is an easy, drug-free solution we will discuss later in the article that has helped many Meniere’s patients find relief. What Are the Symptoms? Let’s take a closer look at the three main symptoms of Meniere’s disease and others that may occur with them.
Possible Causes of Meniere’s Disease Meniere’s disease is one condition that is not well understood. There are many theories as to why it occurs. One that has gained popularity has to do with an abnormal amount of fluid build-up in the inner ear. However, this has not be proven. And, recent research reveals that not all people with Meniere’s have too much fluid in their ears, leading us to the conclusion there must be another factor at play here. Some of these may be:
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo download our complimentary e-book. Traditional Care to Help Ease Meniere’s Disease
Seeking help from your medical doctor will more than likely result in some of the following suggestions focused on alleviating or easing one symptom at a time:
A Connection to a Misalignment in the Upper Cervical Spine A study observed 139 people who had been diagnosed with Meniere’s disease. Upon examination and detailed medical history, it was discovered all of these patients had endured some sort of trauma to their head or neck prior to the onset of Meniere’s disease, many due to automobile accidents resulting in whiplash that had gone undiagnosed. After receiving care from an upper cervical chiropractor, all 139 reported significant improvement in their symptoms, particularly vertigo. Some reported their Meniere’s went away completely. The upper cervical procedures that we utilize are both gentle and precise. It targets the misalignment in the bones of the upper cervical spine and corrects the misalignment without the need to pop the neck or crack the back in any way. Rather, it is a natural, drug-free way to care for Meniere’s disease. If one of the top two bones in the neck is misaligned, either the C1 or C2, it can put stress and pressure upon the brainstem. This can lead to a few issues causing the onset of Meniere’s disease. Another problem when the brainstem is under stress is that it may send improper signals to the brain about the body’s location, causing vertigo. By correcting the misalignment, many people have seen similar results as in the study above. Meniere’s often eases up or goes away completely. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Blom click the button below or call 208-559-0541 If you have never experienced a migraine, it can be extremely difficult to understand as it is so much more than just a headache. In fact, a migraine is not a headache at all. It is a neurological condition that includes a headache as one of its main symptoms. Oddly enough, a migraine is not always accompanied by a headache. Other symptoms that go along with migraines are:
Common Migraine TriggersOne thing that can help you have fewer migraines has to do with migraine triggers. These are different for each person, but finding out what your personal triggers are and avoiding them can help reduce migraine events. Here is a list of 14 possible triggers:
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and migraines download our complimentary e-book. An Underlying Cause For MigrainesOften the root cause of migraines can be linked back to a misalignment in the bones of the upper neck. This type of problem can cause the brainstem to send improper signals to the brain and hinder blood flow. Nerves can also be irritated by this misalignment. Dr. Grayson Blom is a Boise, Idaho native trained and specializing in the Upper Cervical procedure. Dr. Blom is also one of the few Doctors in the state of Idaho trained and certified in the Upper Cervical procedure. Serving Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Idaho and the surrounding areas. To schedule an appointment to determine if you are a candidate for upper cervical care click the button below or call 208-559-0541. REFERENCES:1. Elster EL, Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care for a Patient with Chronic Migraine Headaches with an Appendix Summarizing an Additional 100 Headache Cases. J.Vertebral Subluxation Res. Aug 3, 2003.
2. Kiefer D, Migraine Triggers. https://www.healthline.com/health/migraine/triggers, May 9th, 2014. When we think of vertigo, we most often think of the sensation of spinning – whether it be the person or the things around him or her. However, there is one type of vertigo that does not have a spinning sensation as its main symptom. It is called cervical vertigo and is known for making you feel unsteady. Cervical vertigo occurs when you move the head or neck and is related to a disorder here. Some common symptoms include: - Ear congestion - Stiff or sore neck - Anxiety - Ringing in the ears called tinnitus - Headaches - TMJ (a jaw disorder) - Problems swallowing - Poor memory and concentration issues - Feeling nauseous - Sweating - Problems with vision - Radiculopathy in the upper extremities Finding Natural Relief for Cervical Vertigo As the name indicates, cervical vertigo has to do with an issue in the neck, more specifically the upper neck or upper cervical spine. While researchers are not entirely sure why this condition occurs, it has been shown to be strongly associated with a previous injury to the neck. Some theories as to why cervical vertigo occurs are due to: - Whiplash - Wear and tear - A blow to the head or neck - Age - A vehicle accident To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo download our complimentary e-book. Accidents and Injuries are a common cause of Atlas misalignment – the top bone of the spine. This can interfere with normal nerve function and hinder the sensory communication between the eyes, ears, and proprioceptors of the spine. Thus your body's position sense can be interfered with, resulting in the sensation of cervical vertigo. Dr. Grayson Blom is a Boise, Idaho native trained and specializing in the Upper Cervical procedure. Dr. Blom is also one of the few Doctors in the state of Idaho trained and certified in the Upper Cervical procedure. Serving Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Idaho and the surrounding areas. To schedule an appointment to determine if you are a candidate for upper cervical care click the button below or call 208-559-0541. REFERENCES:1. Reid, SA, Rivett DA, et.al. Efficacy of manual therapy treatments for people with cervicogenic dizzines and pain: protocol of a randomised controlled trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disord. 2012, 13:201.
2. www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cervical-spondylosis/basics/definition/con-20027408 3. www.vertigotreatment.org/post/cervical-vertigo-caused-by-neck-postures If you are seeking natural low back pain treatment in Boise, Idaho (or anywhere else for that matter), you are far from alone. According to researchers, 80% of Americans will experience back pain at one time or another. Low back pain, in particular, is becoming an increasingly prevalent problem. While younger adults experienced just under a 1% increase in lower back pain between 1997 and 2013, seniors over the age of 65 experienced an increase of greater than 4%. Back pain can affect a person’s ability to: • Carry out normally daily tasks • Feel good enough to exercise • Get a good night’s sleep If you are one of the many who are dealing with low back pain, how can you find relief? Where Do People Go For Low Back Pain Relief?According to one study, people who experience back pain often seek help from one of three areas. • 40% - Primary care doctor • 40% - General chiropractor • 20% - Subspecialist Still, only about 10% of people ever find out what was causing lower back pain. That means 90% of people, even if they feel better now, don’t know what was wrong in the first place. The pain could return at any time and usually does. They say about 80% of people find that back pain recurs within 2 years. To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and low back pain download our complimentary e-book. A Long-Term Solution To Low Back PainThe reason most people never find out where their low back pain is coming from is that most health professionals are looking in the wrong place. The pain is felt in the lower back, so that is all that is considered in their treatment approach. However, the spine is all connected, and anything that occurs at the top of the spine will have effects all the way down to the bottom of the spine. This is why upper cervical chiropractic care has been so successful in helping people with low back pain. A misalignment of the Atlas (C1) can result in issues all the way down the spine. In fact the 3 most common areas where issues develop due to Atlas (C1) misalignment are right where the head and neck meet, the lower neck and shoulder area, and the lower back and hip area. Thus wherever the greatest stress points occur in the spine, problems are sure to develop over time. One of the most common is in the lower back. Atlas (C1) misalignment is without a doubt the most commonly overlooked source of lower back pain. Likewise correction of Atlas (C1) misalignment will allow the spine to begin the process of unwinding and balancing out. Lower back pain can then heal and resolve without even touching the lower back. Atlas Specialist In Boise, IdahoDr. Grayson Blom is a Boise, Idaho native that works with a nationwide group of Doctors expertly trained and specializing in the Upper Cervical procedure. Dr. Blom is also one of the few Doctors in the state of Idaho trained and certified in the Upper Cervical procedure. To schedule an appointment to determine if you are a candidate for upper cervical care click the button below or call 208-559-0541. REFERENCES:1. Eriksen K., et.al., Upper Cervical Subluxation Complex: A Review of the Chiropractic and Medical Literature, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 2004.
2. Palmer B. J., The Subluxation Specific The Adjustment Specific, Palmer Chiropractic College 1934. 3. http://www.thegoodbody.com/back-pain-statistics/ Dr. Grayson Blom of Boise, Idaho specializes in Atlas Correction also known as the Upper Cervical Procedure. Dr. Blom is one of the few Doctors in the state of Idaho trained and certified in the Upper Cervical Procedure. We are dedicated to helping patients that suffer from symptoms associated with Atlas Subluxation Complex and other spinal related disorders. Take the first step toward reclaiming your health… Call our office directly (208) 559-0541 or fill out a consult request form. Americans who suffer from migraines number 38 million men, women, and children. Worldwide this number is nearly 1 billion! Almost everyone knows someone who suffers from migraines. For these ones, it is vital to find out what could be triggering these neurological events to happen in order to try to avoid them. Some food-related triggers though to be common are:
The National Headache Foundation recently studied 150 migraine patients and found an interesting connection. Not only do the above foods trigger migraines in some people, but they can also actually prevent them in others. In 3 of the participants, caffeine triggered a migraine, while in 32 it prevented one. Oddly enough, onions – not usually thought to be a problem – caused migraines in 14 of the study contributors. To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and migraines download our complimentary e-book. It remains a mystery why some foods cause migraines or why the same foods can also prevent them. One theory involves the nervous system and how effectively the nerves relay messages to and from the brain and body. Improving Migraines by Helping Nerve Function Here at Upper Cervical Health Center Boise, we look for misalignments that may lie in the topmost vertebra of the neck – the atlas. If the atlas is out of place, undue stress may be placed on the spinal cord and brainstem (parts of the central nervous system). This means that signals being sent via the brainstem become distorted and can be the reason that migraines are happening. We use a gentle, effective method to help the atlas to realign itself naturally. This helps the pressure within the brainstem and spinal cord to dissipate, leading to better function of nerves in this area. Many patients report seeing success in caring for migraines this way. Often migraines improve after just a few visits. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Blom to determine if you care a candidate for care please click the button below or call (208) 559-0541.
Vertigo can be unnerving and is often described as a sensation of spinning – be it the person or the things around him. In only 50% of vertigo cases can the doctor find an actual reason, leaving the other half wondering why it is happening. Most often, head and neck trauma is seen to be the underlying cause. During a recent study, 60 patients who suffered from vertigo were observed. Upon receiving their medical history, an interesting pattern began to develop. It was noted that 93% of these had undergone some form of trauma affecting the head or neck. The accidents involved such things as: - Horseback riding - Vehicle accidents - Skiing - Tripping and falling Only 4 of those included in the study could not recall having any trauma. The intensity of the damage did not seem to play a role, and neither did it matter if the trauma was recent or many years ago. It is not a coincidence that vertigo developed in the majority of people who have had some sort of injury to the neck. Why do head and neck injuries lead to vertigo? To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo download our complimentary e-book An Overlooked Potential Cause of Vertigo The top bones of the neck – the C1 and C2 vertebrae – have the important job of protecting the brainstem. However, they are also quite susceptible to injury because of their location and ability to move freely. If they become misaligned, they can put the brainstem under stress and cause it to send faulty signals to and from the brain and body. This can wreak havoc on the entire body and cause such issues as vertigo and other health problems.
Here at our Boise, Idaho office, we employ a gentle method to help these bones to realign naturally. It does not require us to crack or pop the neck or back. When the bones are back in their proper position, the body can begin to function at its peak once again. Proper communication is restored between the brain and body. This is often all that is needed to see an improvement in or remission of vertigo. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Blom click the button below or call 208-559-0541 |
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