Can Upper Cervical Care Help Me?
Upper cervical care can help everyone – infants to seniors, mothers-to-be, athletes, and accident victims will benefit from a healthy spine and nervous system! If you have a health problem, upper cervical doctors will strive to correct its cause, not just treat the symptoms. If you are symptom free, upper cervical care is one of the best ways to stay healthy.
Response Varies
The time it takes for recovery does not always equate to the time it took for the disease to develop. As a general rule, however, acute diseases respond rapidly, while chronic cases of long standing are slower to respond.
Some abnormalities show very extensive involvement of tissues, while others show very little tissue involvement. Anytime tissue is involved, the structures must retrace the steps through which it passed before it can return to normalcy. Evidence of this can be seen in the varying stages of skin eruptions as they heal. Tissue below the skin’s surface goes through the same process while healing; it’s just not visible to the naked eye.
Asthma Upper Cervical Care & The Brain Stem
Misalignments of the top two vertebrae (bones) in the cervical spine (neck) can cause disturbances within the brain stem and respiratory center. Multiple studies have shown that upper cervical care dramatically improves lung function. A recent published report documents that each asthma patient in the study improved between 87 and 100 percent with upper cervical care.
The Brain Stem & Breathing
The nervous system is a very complex system designed to control and coordinate all of the body’s vital functions. One of those functions is to control the respiratory system and lungs. Consider that you can go up a flight of stairs, run, swim, or ride a bike without even thinking about your breathing. That’s because the respiratory center, housed in the brain stem, is responsible for adjusting the rate of breathing to the demands of the body so that proper oxygen and carbon dioxide levels remain unchanged even during strenuous exercise.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a debilitating disorder caused by irritation or pressure to the median nerve. The median nerve originates in the neck, runs through the shoulder, arm and forearm into the wrist and hand. It is one of the major nerves in the hand that provides sensation and movement for the thumb, index and middle fingers. CTS often is described as an aching pain with burning, tingling and numbness in the wrist or hand and, occasionally, in the forearm. In some cases, muscle weakness, swelling and loss of temperature sensation may be present. Patients may begin to drop objects or have difficulty lifting small items or turning doorknobs. It is thought that jobs that require workers to use their hands, wrists, or arms in a repetitive manner tend to have a higher incidence of CTS. But renowned hand surgeon Dr. Charles Eaton says there is no scientific evidence that shows such activities actually cause carpal tunnel syndrome.
CTS & The Cervical Spine
Problems in the neck or cervical spine can be as simple as poor posture and muscle tension, or as serious as disc bulges, arthritis, or spinal misalignments, also referred to as subluxations. A proper evaluation for CTS should include an exam of the entire length of the median nerve, starting at the neck and working down to the hands, wrists and fingers. Since the neck is the most common site for Double Crush to occur, a consultation with an upper cervical doctor would be in the best interests of any CTS sufferer, especially if they have been recommended for carpal tunnel surgery. The purpose of upper cervical care is to correct misalignments in the neck that produce irritation to the nerve roots that extends to the wrist, hands and fingers. Clinical findings have discovered that this can prevent the need for surgery.
Digestive Disorders
Have you ever thought about how amazing the process of digestion is and how important is is to our health. Everyone knows you need to eat well to be Its no wonder so many people have digestion problems such as acid reflux, constipation, diarehea or all of the above. Irritable bowel syndrome is being diagnosed more than ever before but why. For most people, digestion is a natural process that we take for granted. However, there are millions of Americans who are not as fortunate. When the digestive process goes awry, it can result in any number of digestive disorders, all of which can interfere with every aspect of life. While the list of digestive disorders is vast and varied, some of the more common disorders include colic, acid reflux, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease. A common component of many of these can be described as a nervous system that is “out of sync.” If the condition persists, it can undermine a person’s overall health, and, in some cases, threaten their lives. Many sufferers attempt to treat their symptoms with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. If this fails, they are typically given prescription drugs or steroids. As a last resort, surgery may be recommended to repair or remove a section of the digestive tract. However, the Physician’s Desk Reference reveals that the drugs used to treat digestive disorders can have potentially dangerous side effects. Some may cause further digestive distress. Looking for the underlying cause of the problem and specifically correcting the cause most often improves the digestive dysfunction and provides significant relief. NUCCA spinal care has helped thousands improve nerve function and live a higher quality of life free of digestive distress.
Ear Infections (Otitis Media)
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, over five million children suffer from chronic ear infections, resulting in 30 million visits to doctors’ offices and over 10 million prescriptions of antibiotics each year. Half of all the antibiotics prescribed are for ear infections. Symptoms of ear infections may include mild discomfort, irritability, fever or severe pain. Almost half of all children will have at least one middle ear infection before they’re a year old, and two-thirds of them will have had at least one such infection by age three. Frequent ear infections are the second leading cause for surgery in children.
Upper Cervical Care & Ear Infections
Misalignment between the head and neck affect the nervous system preventing the eustachian tubes from properly draining. This creates an environment for fluid to build up promoting infection.
A New Approach To Ear Infections – Upper Cervical Care
Rather than treating the effects with antibiotics or undergoing the risks of surgery, seek the help of a NUCCA chiropractic care. NUCCA is a viable, natural way to help your child with chronic ear infections. One study shows that after receiving a series of upper cervical corrections, 80% of the children were free of ear infections. Upper Cervical Care enables the inner ear to open and drain which, in turn, allows the body to resist the buildup of fluid and possible infection. Many children develop their own antibodies and recover quickly and naturally without the use of unnecessary antibiotics and tubes. The discomfort of chronic inner ear infections, lost days of schools for children, and lost days of work for parents can become a thing of the past.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia presents itself differently in different people but can be debilitating when not controlled. Most FM patients suffer with chronic pain, stiffness and burning in the neck, shoulders, lower back and hips. Others experience depression, chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, numbness, dizziness, headaches or sleeping disorders.
Even minor exertion can aggravate the pain and increase fatigue. Statistics show that fibromyalgia is one of the most common musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder in America, affecting up to 10% of the population. FM occurs most frequently in women ages 20-50. Sufferers of fibromyalgia usually try the most common medical treatments – pain killers, muscle relaxants, antidepressant drugs, sleeping pills, corticosteroid injections and, in extreme cases, surgery. Unfortunately, the Physician’s Desk Reference reveals that drugs used to treat fibromyalgia can have potentially dangerous side effects.
Upper Cervical Care & Fibromyalgia
Upper Cervical doctors are getting exceptional results with fibromyalgia patients. Clinical trials and case studies document the improvement fibromyalgia patients are making under NUCCA Chiropractic care. The brain stem is the upper part of the spinal cord. It can be compared to the fuse box in your home in that the brainstem is the central location for all power in the body. Although the exact cause of fibromyalgia is not fully understood, numerous studies and clinical trials show that FM often develops after traumatic neck injuries. Car accidents, sports or on-the-job injuries, repetitive stress, falls, or even birth trauma can cause these injuriesMisalignments in the neck called subluxation can alter the function of the brain stem leading to altered muscular function throughout the body. The result is pain and fatigue. NUCCA care effectively corrects the upper cervical brainstem compression and allows for improved function throughout the body. The majority of fibromyalgia sufferers report improvement within 12 weeks of care.
High Blood Pressure
NUCCA care is proven effective in lowering blood pressure.
A non-invasive and drug-free procedure has been shown to significantly reduce blood pressure in patients with hypertension, according to a study published in the Journal of Human Hypertension.
The American Heart Association states one in three adults in the United States suffers with high blood pressure and over 50,000 people die each year as a result of this condition. In fact, what is more startling is that the actual number of deaths from high blood pressure rose 56% between 1994 and 2004, despite an increase in prescription drug use.
The NUCCA procedure is a gentle alignment to the upper neck that reduces nerve irritation and promotes proper cardiovascular function.
Low Back Pain
80% of the population will experience lower back pain. It is one of the leading causes for missed work, which costs the United, States an estimated $25 billion annually.
NUCCA & Low Back Pain
Many treatments such as cortisone shots, pain pills, or even therapies focus on short term symptom treating rather than correcting the cause. Relief is the primary objective of NUCCA care however long term correction and long lasting results is the ultimate goal.
What does my neck have to do with my back pain or disc herniations?
The upper neck misalignment causes back pain for 2 specific reasons. Mechanical stress and neurological insult. When the head and neck misalign into a stressed position, the rest of the body follows. The head weighs between 8-12 lbs on average. A common misalignment causes the hips and shoulders to compensate placing the most mechanical stress into the low back. This is the reason low back pain is so common. Compensations throughout the body often lead to disc herniations and spinal stenosis in more advanced cases.
Secondly, the upper cervical spine (neck) has thousands of nerve “sensors” responsible for maintaining both the proper posture and alignment of the spine, as well as the balance and stability of the head. These sensors are constantly monitoring the head position, making the necessary changes throughout the lower spine to assure that the head remains upright.
When the spine is aligned, it is extremely strong and stable. However, due to their mobility, the top vertebra is vulnerable to injury or misalignment. When a misalignment occurs at the top of the neck, the spine compensates or adapts in an attempt to protect the vital nervous system it houses. This triggers a chain reaction from the top to the bottom of the spine. When the head is thrown off balance, the lower spine is compromised; the pelvis is tilted, or one leg may be drawn up or shortened, resulting in an internal weakness and a spine that is imbalanced. This chain reaction makes the spinal muscles, bones, and discs more vulnerable to injury – an accident waiting to happen. If neglected, an upper cervical misalignment can lead to premature arthritis and irreversible spinal degeneration.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, potentially debilitating disease that affects the brain, brain stem and spinal cord. MS affects more than one million people around the world. This disease is unpredictable and varies in severity, from a mild illness in some patients to a permanent disability in others. Symptoms typically begin between ages 20 and 40, with women being afflicted twice as often as men. The most common symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis include numbness and tingling in the arms and legs, difficulty walking, impaired balance, muscle weakness, visual disturbances and memory loss. Your central nervous system contains millions of nerve fibers that carry electrical impulses from your brain and brain stem to almost every tissue, organ and cell within your body. The degenerative process of MS is called demyelination. This is the destruction of the fatty substance, or myelin, which coats and protects the nerve fibers. This fatty substance functions much like the insulation that shields electrical wires. In patients with MS, the body mistakenly destroys the myelin sheath, which becomes inflamed and swollen and detaches from the nerve fibers; then, firm or hardened (sclerosed) patches of scar tissue form over the fibers. Eventually, this damage slows or even blocks the nerve signals from the brain, brain stem and spinal cord that control muscle coordination, strength, sensation and vision. This results in some of the permanent disabilities that may develop in patients with MS.
Upper Cervical Care & Multiple Sclerosis
Some of the newest and most relevant research on upper cervical care has demonstrated the link between MS and the upper cervical spine. Although upper cervical care is not considered a cure for those with MS, the studies demonstrate the extreme benefits for those suffering with this debilitating neurological disease. A study published in 2005 revealed that 100% of the patients with Multiple Sclerosis had a history of upper cervical injuries whether months old or years old. Another recently published case study has shown that correction of upper neck injuries may reverse the progression of MS. Dr. Erin Elster, an upper cervical chiropractor, performed the research. Through the use of upper cervical care, Elster corrected chronic upper neck injuries in an MS patient, which may have stimulated a reversal of his MS symptoms. These results have been duplicated in upper cervical centers across the country and have shown the same promising results. Elster’s report was published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research. It stated that, “According to medical research, head and neck injuries have long been considered a cause of Multiple Sclerosis. But this is the first research to show that correction of those injuries can have dramatic effects on reversing MS.” In light of these recent reports, it is absolutely essential, if you have MS, that you have your spine and nervous system examined by an upper cervical doctor.
Migraine-headaches
If you are currently living with migraine headaches, you know the classic symptoms of intense pain, extreme sensitivity to light or sound, nausea, and vomiting. Some migraine sufferers also experience visual disturbances or auras, numbness, tingling, clumsiness, or have difficulty communicating.
Typical medical treatments consist of both over-the-counter and prescription drugs. However, if you have seen the drug ads on TV or read the Physician’s Desk Reference, you know that all of the common migraine drugs are potentially dangerous and can cause serious side effects.
Migraines can be triggered by a number of factors including stress, excessive light or sound, fatigue, hunger, diet, hormonal changes, weather changes, caffeine, cigarette smoke, head trauma, neck movements, and even the use of a low pillow. However, it is important to understand that these “trigger factors” do not cause migraine headaches.
Headache self test. How do I know if my headaches could be coming from my neck. Classic signs of craniocervical syndrome or in lay persons terms, a headache being caused by neck dysfunction:
- My neck is very tight or even painful
- My headaches start at the base of my skull
- My head feels too heavy
- I am not able to fully turn my neck side to side or tilt my head left and right.
- I have tenderness at the base of my skull
- Certain head movements trigger my headaches
- I have a history of head or neck trauma
If you have 2 or more of these signs, you need to contact a NUCCA Chiropractor immediately for an evaluation. click here to find the closest nucca doctor to me.
Temporomandibular Joints (TMJ)
The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are located in front of each ear, connecting the lower jaw to the skull. These joints are the most complicated joints in the body and allow the lower jaw to open, close, rotate and slide. The TMJs are used over 5,000 times each day when we chew, swallow, yawn, smile, laugh, eat and speak!
The TMJ and the Trigeminal Nerve
Movement of the left and right TMJs must be coordinated, working at the same time for the jaw to move properly. This movement is orchestrated by a complex set of muscles that are directly controlled by the body’s nervous system; specifically branches of the trigeminal nerve, which is one of the most complex and powerful nerves in the body. It feeds sensation and function to one’s jaws, face, tongue, sinus, palate, eyes, teeth, and lips. Since the trigeminal nerve feeds the jaw, it is closely associated with the function of the TMJ and is critical in the development of TMJ pain.
There is a delicate working relationship between the TMJ, the muscles that move the jaw, and the nerves that control these muscles. Therefore, healthy function of the TMJ system requires normal structure and function of both the temporomandibular joints and the trigeminal nerve.
Causes of TMJ Pain
One of the primary causes of TMJ pain and disorders is damage to the joint itself. Direct or indirect trauma can affect the TMJ and clearly cause pain and dysfunction. Motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, and dental work have been shown to trigger TMJ disorders, but even subtle repeated traumas like clenching the teeth, excessive gum chewing, nail biting, or cradling a phone between your shoulder and the side of your head can cause TMJ pain. One of the most commonly overlooked causes of TMJ pain is trauma to the upper neck and nervous system.
Trauma to the upper neck can cause a misalignment, which results in pressure or irritation to the trigeminal nerve. This pressure can cause the muscles that control the jaw to malfunction, thereby changing the movement of the TMJ. The joints do not work properly because the disc is pinched while opening or closing the jaw, and the neck and shoulder muscles go into painful spasms during the normal process of eating, talking, laughing, or smiling.
What is Nucca Chiropractic?
NUCCA chiropractic is an approach within the chiropractic field. An acronym for the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association, the NUCCA approach is known for being a very gentle treatment for lower back pain, vertigo, migraine headaches and other pain related problems.
What is Nucca Chiropractic?
Founded in 1966, the NUCCA method of chiropractic treatment focuses on correcting the cause of the pain, stabilizing the correction and influencing healing through overall individual wellness. The NUUCA approach is the only method within the chiropractic field that uses technology such as 3-D x-rays, digitized x-ray analysis, and a precise light triceps pull adjustment. NUCCA chiropractic care utilizes a calculated, vectored correction rather than a forceful harsh manual manipulation that is involved with unspecific chiropractic techniques.
The NUCCA method is preferred by many because of its gentle and non-invasive treatments. Additionally, the NUCCA technique focuses its treatments on the neck area. The neck affects the entire balance of the body. So when the chiropractor focuses treatments on the neck, then inevitably, the rest of the body will find its balance.
NUCCA is different in that a post x-ray is taken after the initial spinal correction and an analysis of the x-ray is done to measure the improvement. Several spinal corrections may be needed to maximize the body’s self healing mechanism.
Usually a NUCCA chiropractor will receive patient referrals from primary care medical doctors or from other chiropractors as well as from other holistic practitioners. After a patient’s initial NUCCA adjustment, he or she may experience a relaxed feeling, a complete alleviation of pain symptoms and possibly even a tingling or heat sensation. Such symptoms is said to be a response of the nervous system relating to the structural correction that was administered.
NUCCA chiropractic care seeks to balance out the stresses that result in pain within the human body. A NUCCA chiropractor will notice any postural imbalances, pelvic distortions or leg length disparity from their initial consultation. He or she will measure the legs, shoulder height, and hip height of the patient as a part of the evaluation. All of this is done prior to x-rays being taken.
The adjustment consists of the patient laying on their side and the NUCCA chiropractor gently adjusting the top of the neck at a specific angle based on measurements from X-rays. The adjustment is light and painless and takes just a few minutes.
