Whiplash, Neck Pain, Neck Ache, Back Pain, Back Ache, Headache, Headaches, Migraine, Migraines, accident, car accident, Neck Injury

Whiplash injuries should not be ignored due to the fact that they can eventually result in chronic physical damage and even psychological pain. You can’t just “sleep off” a whiplash injury, or “tough it out.” Complications grow worse when a whiplash injury is not cared for properly. Ultimately, physical pain concerts into psychological worry or anxiety due to the effects of the pain.

Consider some of the consequences that long-term whiplash injuries can cause:

The NUCCA Technique for Natural Whiplash Care

The entire quality of one’s life can be reduced substantially by one whiplash-type injury. It can affect the body’s ability to heal, a person’s posture, and even normal head movements can be painful. Rather than ignoring the pain or taking medication and hoping it goes away on its own, seeking the assistance of an upper cervical chiropractor allows you to be proactive in the healing process.

To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:

At Advanced Spinal Care, we use the NUCCA method of upper cervical chiropractic. This begins with an evaluation of the position of a person’s atlas and axis (the C1 and C2 vertebrae). This evaluation includes a patient history, a physical examination, and three-dimensional x-rays of the neck and head. If the whiplash injury caused a misalignment, this will be revealed and a treatment plan customized to your needs will be developed.

Once the misalignment is corrected, real healing can begin. The spine will no longer continue to suffer the degenerative effects of an upper cervical misalignment. Plus, many other symptoms that can be caused by such a misalignment will be eliminated. You may be surprised by just how many nagging symptoms were actually the result of a slight misalignment of the upper spine.

 To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:

Request a free consultation

Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are 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 migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/

Shoulder Pain Shoulder pain, neck problems and upper cervical chiropractic

Shoulder pain is a terrible thing to have to live with. People never realize how much their shoulders play a role in everyday living until it starts to hurt. Shoulder pain can be caused by many things but the most common causes are overuse or doing activities that are not usually done.

Some individuals when suffering from shoulder pain will go to a medical doctor. Frequently the result of that visit will be sending you home with some sort of over-the-counter or prescription pain or anti-inflammatory medication. Often the pills will help with the pain, but they won’t fix the root of the pain.

An underlying cause of shoulder problems can be related to posture and poor body mechanics as a result of misalignments in the spinal column. If the position of the head is altered as a result of accidents or injuries, the shoulders will frequently be tilted. Sometimes you can see this postural change in the mirror where one shoulder is lower than the other. This postural imbalance can lead to overuse or straining of the shoulder with unusual activity.

Upper Cervical Chiropractic

Going to an upper cervical chiropractic clinic is an excellent way to seek the underlying cause of your shoulder problems. An upper cervical chiropractor will look for postural imbalances that may be leading to your shoulder dysfunction. Misalignments in the spine can also lead to nerve irritation and nerve related numbness, tingling and pain in the shoulder and arm.

An upper cervical chiropractor is able to correct these underlying postural imbalances without any of the popping, cracking or twisting of the spine common with general chiropractic manipulation. Because the upper cervical approach is non-traumatic to your spine, it leads to maximum recovery for misaligned joints and structures.

Upper Cervical Chiropractors also have a large knowledge of exercises that can help to strengthen the muscles that will support the alignment and help keep it in place. There are many individuals that have felt instantly better after going to an upper cervical chiropractor.

Shoulders are used every day and when they hurt it certainly will get our attention. Injuries rarely happen at a convenient time, but it is important that we respect pain signals. To see the underlying cause, rather than just covering up the symptoms will lead to less problems down the road.
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:

Request a free consultation

Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.

Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are 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 migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/.

Can a Car Crash Lead to Fibromyalgia? fibromyalgia

In the June 2011 edition of the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research.   Dr. Nimira Alibhoy DC presents the case of a 45-year-old female with a history of two major head traumas and 10 car accidents leading to complaints of an 11 year history of fibromyalgia.   The history from the study is quite remarkable:

The patient was a 45-year-old female  with Fibromyalgia.   Symptoms included  migraine headaches, chronic pain in the neck, upper and lower back,   numbness in fingers, sciatica, right knee pain, depression, and duodenal ulcer.

She sustained a traumatic injury from diving head first into a shallow pool at the age of 15. The patient was  then in 10 car accidents over 25 years.

She was later diagnosed with fibromyalgia by her medical doctor. Five years after the diagnosis, she had another traumatic head injury, when she fell head first down a flight of stairs. This increased her sciatica, neck, and back pain.

The patient had been to five general chiropractors over 12 years, who provided temporary relief of her Fibromyalgia  symptoms. She was in chronic pain and suffered from depression. She was given Vicodin, Flexeril, or Soma at different times for her pain and soft tissue injuries. Her activity levels were limited in that she could not use stairs, swim, or walk further than 20 feet. She used a wheelchair as it helped her complete her daily routine and limit her tiredness.

Not All Chiropractors are the same

A history of head or neck trauma should always be investigated by an Upper Cervical Chiropractor trained in the detection and correction of the Atlas Subluxation Complex (A misalignment of the top bone in the neck).   This misalignment causes brain stem dysfunction which can lead to all sorts of changes in the way that all the body systems work.   Specifically important in patients diagnosed with Fibromyalgia is the brain stem connection to the immune system, circulatory system, respiratory system and digestive system.   Along with the connection of the brain stem with the postural muscles up and down the spinal column.

Here is the results for the patient in the study who was able to get the proper upper cervical chiropractic care needed to correct the underlying Brain Stem Subluxation.

Within six months of the first upper cervical correction, the patient revealed that she no longer needed wheelchair assistance. At the first re-evaluation, she reported that her fibromyalgia and left leg sciatica had resolved. She was able to move and perform basic daily functions and sleep in any position. She was feeling more relaxed and had more energy throughout the day. She stated that the sciatica in her right leg improved by 60% and was no longer on any medications.

At second re-evaluation, she stated that her chronic back pain and headaches had resolved. She only continued to have minor right sciatica. By the fifth re-evaluation, 6 months into care, her knee tenderness had also resolved. Her sciatica on the right had 98% improvement.   She stated she was able to perform house and yard work. She was also able to swim, walk distances, and stand for long periods of time without taking Tylenol or Advil. The only complaint she had at this point was right hip pain.

Have you been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia?

Do you have a history of head or neck traumas?   Car Accidents?   Falls?   Other Head Injuries?
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:

Request a free consultation

Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.

Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are 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 migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/.

Retinal Migraine Silent migraine

Have you been experiencing strange symptoms in one of your eyes?

Seen flashing lights, suffered temporary blindness or seen patterns in your visual field?

Have you been to your medical doctor and received a diagnosis of retinal migraine?

Have you been told that medications are the only answer for your headaches?

Your migraines may be due to blood flow, and the solution may be traced to an accident or injury in your past.  But what exactly is a retinal migraine? Here are five signs that you can use to tell if you have retinal migraine…

  1. One eye: First, the eye symptoms tend to affect only one eye.
  2. Visual disturbances: So what’s going on in this one eye? There are a variety of disturbances which other migraine sufferers may be familiar with. This might include flashing lights, or patterns in your visual field. There may be an area where your vision is impaired (ie dark spots), or even loss. Even temporary blindness in one eye is possible with retinal migraine.
  3. Temporary: Permanent vision loss is another matter. With retinal migraine the symptoms are reversible.
  4. Headache: A headache typically starts during the visual disturbances, or within an hour after they stop. The headache typically lasts between 4 hours to as long as 3 days, is often one-sided and pulsating, and usually either includes sensitivity to light and/or sound, nausea, or both.
  5. Repeated: In order to actually be diagnosed with retinal migraine, you need to have had at least 2 attacks.

 

Researchers suspect decreased blood flow to the eye or optic nerve may be to blame for the unique symptoms of retinal migraine. This decreased blood flow can be a result of trauma to the upper neck. Accidents and injuries affecting the head and neck can lead to misalignments which can change blood flow from the brain to the body.

A doctor trained in upper cervical care is able to closely examine the anatomy of the upper neck with both physical examination procedures and specific x-ray protocols. By identifying these specific misalignments the upper cervical trained doctor may be able to find the missing link and underlying cause of the retinal migraine.

To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:

Request a free consultation

Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.

Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are 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 migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/.

Acid Reflux in Babies  upper cervical chiropractic

A fairly common problem for infants is acid reflux. This can make it difficult for the baby to keep down any amount of food. It can also result in a lot of crying and sleepless nights. What is the primary cause of this condition? Can upper cervical chiropractic help babies that are suffering from acid reflux? Read on to learn more.

Acid reflux in infants seems to be connected with some form of birth trauma that results in an injury to the upper neck. These upper neck injuries can be caused by anything from a breech birth to extended labor. These injuries are frequently the root cause of the acid reflux.

Unfortunately, once most doctors make a diagnosis of acid reflux, they immediately start offering drugs such as Prilosec, Zantac, or Prevacid to treat the symptom rather than the problem that is causing it.

How does upper cervical chiropractic provide a safe and drug-free alternative?

Since the ultimate issue is frequently an injury to the two uppermost vertebrae at the base of the brain, using gentle upper cervical chiropractic procedures can provide natural relief for the condition. Studies on a number of infants have shown the benefits that come from upper cervical chiropractic care, especially when the baby suffers from acid reflux.

Acid Reflux Research

Dr Erin Elster has done some incredible research in the upper neck area. In one case series, she evaluated nine babies from 3 weeks to 11 months of age all who had been diagnosed with acid reflux by their pediatrician.
All 9 children were found to have an upper neck misalignment. All 9 children had their upper neck misalignments corrected with upper cervical chiropractic care. The care programs took between two and eight weeks and in all 9 cases symptoms resolved by 100%, and all medications were discontinued.

Don't just treat the symptom, treat the cause. Upper cervical chiropractic can help to alleviate your child's acid reflux symptoms permanently by repairing the injury that is causing it in the first place.
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:

Request a free consultation

Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.

Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are 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 migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/.

What Is Causing Your Chronic Sinus Problems?Up to 90% of Sinus Problems Are Really Misdiagnosed Headache Syndromes

Most people with chronic sinus problems will suffer with regular congestion or infections or both for years.  Improper drainage of the sinuses can lead to chronic colds and flu, allergies, fatigue, pain and more.

So what to do?

Take endless decongestants, antihistamines, and nasal steroids?

That will help you to contribute to the $5.8 billion a year that Americans spend on sinus treatments, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation.

Use a neti pot or other nasal rinse device to try to keep your sinuses clear?

Or you could be one of the 500,000 Americans that have sinus surgery every year!

Some estimates say that up to 90% of sinus problems are really misdiagnosed headache syndromes.

Sinus Problems, Chronic Pain and Fatigue: What’s the Connection?

A study suggests that sinus problems can be associated with unexplained fatigue and bodily pain. Chronic fatigue syndrome is difficult to both diagnose and treat. However, doctors at Georgetown University Medical Center have discovered an unexpected connection with sinus symptoms and chronic pain.

They questioned 297 patients and noted unexplained fatigue in 22 per cent and chronic pain in 11 per cent. Nine percent of patients had both problems.

The same underlying problem may be the root cause of all 3 conditions.  A misalignment in the upper neck can lead to sinus issues, chronic pain and chronic fatigue.

When someone has accidents and injuries that have torn loose the connective tissue that holds the spine in place it will allow the spine to breakdown and lock into a stressed position.  The area of the spine that is most frequently affected is the upper neck area because it is the most movable and the most vulnerable to injury.

Once this upper neck area is misaligned it will begin to affect the function of the brain stem.  This undetected brainstem injury can lead to a variety of problems including dysfunction with the release of cortisol.

Dr. Marshall Dickholtz Sr., a NUCCA doctor from Chicago, along with a medical doctor and a psychiatrist did some very interesting research several years looking at the connection between the upper neck and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  Here's what the found when they compared quality of life measurements using a survey called the SF-36 six months after the initial correction to normal subjects:

In addition both the quality and quantity of sleep improved based on all testing and there was significant decrease in sleep medication usage.  And maybe most remarkable all subjects in the study found a normalization of cortisol levels in the morning and evening readings at 6 months into care!

To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:

Request a free consultation

Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.

Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are 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 migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/

  1. http://www.newsfix.ca/2013/05/07/link-between-chronic-fatigue-and-sinusitis/
  2. Quality of Life Improvement in Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Following Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

H. Charles Woodfield, BS Pharmacy, D.C. & Marshall Dickholtz, Sr., D.C., FICA

Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research ~ December 11, 2012 ~ Pages 92-99

 

Parkinson's disease and head injuriesParkinson’s Disease and Head Injuries

NFL Hall of Famer Forrest Gregg, former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and former professional basketball player Brian Grant were all in the news recently.  All 3 of these men played in contact sports, where they suffered repeated head and neck traumas and all 3 of these men have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease is a chronic and degenerative neurological disorder that results in the death of brain cells -- specifically, those releasing dopamine, a neurotransmitter. The progression and symptoms manifest differently in each patient. Motor impairments result in symptoms including tremors, slowed movement, postural instability, and loss of balance -- which, among other things, can lead to frequent falls. Additional symptoms include mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, sleep disturbances and fatigue, speech and swallowing problems, and cognitive impairment ranging from mild memory difficulties to dementia.

In an article in the USA Today, Hall of Famer Forrest Gregg of the Green Bay Packers said that while he and his neurologist blame concussions for his Parkinson's disease, he's not going to sue the NFL like thousands of other former players.  When Gregg was diagnosed, his neurologist, Dr. Rajeev Kumar, a Parkinson's expert and medical director of the Colorado Neurological Institute's Movement Disorders Center in Denver, said the many concussions Gregg suffered during his playing days may have served as a trigger for Parkinson's.

Another news story reported that former boxing champion Muhammad Ali had been receiving treatment for Parkinson's syndrome, even before his 1980 fight with Larry Holmes.  In 1980 Ali  attempted to win the heavyweight boxing championship  for the 4th time at  the age of 38.  He was beaten soundly by Larry Holmes in 10 rounds.   Many people believe that that this is when Ali's Parkinson's syndrome began.  However, new reports are claiming that he received treatment even before 1980 and had noticeable symptoms with his speech and basic motor skills.

And the Huffington Post did a story on former NBA star basketball player Brian Grant of the Portland Trail Blazers who was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease as well.   Grant was known as a very physical player and had a variety of head and neck injuries during his career.

The Huffington Post goes on to say "As of today, there is no known cure for Parkinson's, which for Grant is one of the most troubling parts of the disease. "It's something that I'm going to have to live with, and it will never go away," he says. "Emotionally, that's devastating."

New Hope for Parkinson’s Disease Sufferers

However, new research and the definition of a new syndrome by the medical community is providing new hope for the Parkinson's community.  The Cranio-Cervical Syndrome is being visualized in a new way with new technology.   This technology is allowing patients experiencing Parkinson's symptoms to get answers. FONAR UPRIGHT® Multi-Position™ MRI is showing a variety of damage associated with past traumas to the cervical spine and misalignments in the upper neck that are leading to a total or partial CSF flow obstruction.

These obstructions of cerebrospinal fluid flow are leading to changes in the brain, including CSF leaks and increased intracranial pressure. These brain changes are being studied as a probable cause of Parkinson's Disease, multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, ALS, and Childhood Autism.

A symposium was held last year in New York City to discuss the impact of these new findings.  The primary purpose of the symposium was to raise awareness of this syndrome in the medical community. They also identified the need to notify the thousands of current and former athletes within the "Contact Sports" community afflicted by this syndrome.  Symposium organizers stated "that there now exists genuine hope going forward for their symptom-free (or dramatic symptom reduction) future lives."

In order to address this syndrome the patient must be evaluated thoroughly in the upper cervical spine (upper neck).   If an upper neck misalignment is found, the misalignment can be corrected with NUCCA, a specialized procedure that is safe, gentle and extremely effective.  The research is showing that once the misalignment in the upper neck is corrected, functioning within the brain will change immediately.

If you have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease or any other neurodegenerative disease and were involved in contact sports in your past you should be evaluated by an upper cervical specialist as soon as possible.

To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:

Request a free consultation

Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.

Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are 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 migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/

Colic Crying Newborn BabyColic and Migraines

On April 16, 2013, Several major news sources, including USA Today, Reuters, the Huffington Post, WebMD and CBS news reported on new research coming out of France published in the Journal of the American Medical Association that links having colic as in infant and having migraines as a child or an adult. This is the 4th study to come out recently linking colic to migraines.

The Huffington Post reported:

"In the study, children ages 6 to 18 who visited an emergency room for migraine headaches were about six times more likely to have experienced colic — or frequent, unexplained crying — as an infant compared with children who visited the emergency room for other reasons...The new findings suggest infant colic and migraines may be symptoms of the same underlying condition, said study researcher Dr. Luigi Titomanlio, of the pediatric emergency department at Robert Debré Hospital in Paris."

But what could this underlying condition be?

Same Underlying Condition

When the upper part of the neck is misaligned it will change the flow of cerebral spinal fluid and blood to and from the brain. This change in CSF and blood flow can lead to a variety of neurological problems. Including colic in children and migraine headaches in adults.

When a baby is born frequently the upper neck is injured. This injury can show symptoms such as colic, GERD, ear infections and other childhood illnesses. If the upper neck injury is corrected by an upper cervical procedure then the colic or other symptoms are frequently eliminated.

However, if the upper neck misalignment is not corrected, then migraine headaches or other conditions will frequently develop later in life.

So whether colic is an early form of migraines or not the underlying condition can be addressed safely, gently and effectively by upper cervical chiropractic care.

To schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:

Request a free consultation

Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.

Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are 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 migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/

 

Numbness, tingling and painMany people struggling with numbness, tingling and pain in their arms or legs will resort to taking large amounts of over-the-counter or prescription medications in an attempt to control the symptoms.

According to the FDA, taking too much Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol and Excedrin, will kill you and the government agency also admits this chemical is the leading cause of liver failure in the U.S. Acetaminophen is responsible for 56,000 emergency room visits and 456 deaths annually, according to studies done between 1990 and 1998. In spite of this, billions of doses are sold each year.

Tylenol, Aleve, Advil, Aspirin, Excedrin and other medications called NSAIDS are frequently taken by people for years on a daily basis.  Many doctors will tell them that taking these medications are okay to use all the time.  Unfortunately that is not true!  In fact the regular ingestion of NSAIDS (Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) is very dangerous.

The July 1998 issue of The American Journal of Medicine stated the following:

"Conservative calculations estimate that approximately 107,000 patients are hospitalized annually for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-related gastrointestinal (GI) complications and at least 16,500 NSAID-related deaths occur each year among arthritis patients alone. The figures of all NSAID users would be overwhelming, yet the scope of this problem is generally under-appreciated."

Natural Approach to Numbness, Tingling and Pain

The upper cervical chiropractic approach used in our office seeks to rebalance the head and neck in order to take pressure off of the nerves that extend from the neck all the way down the arm into the hands. Nerve irritation from misalignments in the neck is a frequent cause of numbness and tingling.

Here’s an example of an upper cervical chiropractic case study that illuminates this:

"I was having pain from my neck into my right arm all the way to the hand.  I was also getting numbness, tingling and weakness into my right hand.  I even had atrophy in my hand. My activity level was way down.  The condition started about 7 years ago following a fall.  But the current episode started about a year ago.  I had gone to medical doctors, neurologists, had MRI’s, x-rays and physical therapy.  I was prescribed corticosteroids several times and I was taking 4-6 Tylenol every day.  I knew that I could not continue living the way that I was…I was on a downward spiral.  And I was poisoning my body with Tylenol!

I was about 3 months into my upper cervical chiropractic care when I noticed that the pain in my neck and arm were almost completely gone!  The strength in my arm is coming back as well…I am able to do push ups again!  I am also feeling more relaxed and rested overall.  My energy level has increased significantly.  My balance and coordination are also greatly improved.  My sense of well-being and my ability to handle stress are also much better!

For the first month or so I had very little results because my condition was so severe.  But as I have held my corrections longer and longer periods of time the nerves have been able to heal.  Now after about 6 months the strength in my hand has returned and the atrophy is almost completely gone.

To schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:

Request a free consultation

Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.

Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are 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 migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/

 

Chronic headaches leading to brain damageChronic Headaches = Brain Loss

Although most people get the occasional headache, there are people who experience headaches for more than 15 days each month. They are said to have chronic headaches. It is estimated that between three to five percent of people worldwide have chronic headaches. There are several subtypes of chronic headaches, such as chronic migraine, chronic tension headaches, medication overuse headache, and hemicrania continua (a headache that only affects one side of the face and head).

Researchers examined the brains of people with chronic headaches and compared them with people who didn't have headaches. The researchers found that patients without headaches had no changes in brain tissue, but patients with chronic headaches did.

And, the longer the patients had their headaches, the more tissue was lost in the brain.

Migraines are more than just severe headaches. Migraines are in a class by themselves. The only thing they have in common with headaches is the head pain. A migraine usually, but not always, involves a severe, unilateral (one-sided) headache that is often described as pulsing or throbbing. In addition to the pain, many people with migraines also become very sensitive to light (photophobia), sounds, and odors. They may also be nauseous and vomit.

Many studies have been done on people who have migraines. This research has shown that there are changes in the brains of migraineurs, much like those with other chronic pain. Although there hasn't been a connection made between the changes in the brain as a result of the pain, researchers have found that these changes may actually have a part in causing the migraine pain.

Spine University's Guide to Neuroplasticity and Chronic Pain cites Dr. Rocca’s study of 16 patients with migraines and they also found changes in their brain tissue. Two other studies compared patients with migraines to control subjects who didn't have migraines. Both studies also found brain changes in the migraineurs. When interpreting the study data, Rocca's group suggested that the changes could have been caused by the repeated pain attacks on the brain.

Upper Neck Misalignments and Changes in Fluid Flow

When the upper cervical spine is misaligned the blood and cerebrospinal fluid flow is changed to and from the brain. This is being demonstrated with Phase Contrast MRI on the arteries and veins from the brain to the body. Altered fluid flow can change the brain. Our brain needs proper fluids in order to function properly. The longer the misalignment has been present the more damage is done.

If the upper neck has become misaligned due to accidents and injuries than a change is currently happening in the brain. The brain research is showing how those with chronic tension headaches and migraines are suffering brain damage as a result of their headaches.

Do you see the connection?

Misalignment causes altered blood and CSF flow, the brain needs blood and cerebrospinal fluid in order function properly, without proper venous drainage many people begin to suffer with headaches. Correct the cause by realigning the upper cervical spine with a precise upper cervical procedure such as NUCCA and the blood flow begins to change. Headaches frequently go away and the brain begins getting proper blood flow again so that it can heal.

For many people it is as simple as that!

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Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are 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 migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/

NUCCA chiropractor in Redwood City

Want to know how your misalignment is affecting your body?

Advanced Spinal Care now provides our patients with a great tool to see how your body is affected by your unique misalignment.
Advance Spinal Care
The Redwood City chiropractor who offers fast track resolutions to chronic pain with technically advanced NUCCA chiropractic, upper cervical diagnostic methods and treatment protocols.
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Advanced Spinal Care
643 Bair Island Rd Ste 208
Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 595-0500
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Office Hours
Mon: Closed
Tue/Thur: 11:30am-5:00pm
Wed: Closed
Fri: 1:00pm-5:00pm
Sat: 9:00am-12:00pm
Sun: Closed
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