How Vertigo Patients Can Get Natural Care and Relief

Vertigo can strike unexpectedly. You may be sitting at your desk at work or performing your normal day-to-day activities, and suddenly the room starts to spin. You may need to sit or lie down until the false sensation of spinning or moving subsides. These are just some of the things chronic vertigo sufferers have to go through every day.

Vertigo can come with other symptoms:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Tinnitus or ringing in the ears
• Sweating

Other medical conditions have vertigo as a primary symptom. Three of the most common conditions are listed below:

• BPPV, or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
• Meniere’s disease
• Labyrinthitis

Conventional Care for Vertigo

The first step in finding help for vertigo is consulting a doctor that specializes in the ear, nose, and throat. A doctor may most likely suggest one of these things:

• Vestibular suppressants
• Anti-nausea medicine
• Steroid shots

While these medications do provide short-lived relief when one is experiencing a severe attack of vertigo, they are not long-term solutions. To get a long-lasting result, you may need to figure out and address the root cause of vertigo.

Natural, Long-Lasting Vertigo Relief

At Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California, our specialty is making sure that the spine is in correct alignment. We concentrate mainly on the C1 and C2 vertebrae. The C1, or atlas, has the critical job of protecting the brainstem. If it gets out of alignment, the normal brainstem function may be disrupted. The brainstem is the communication highway between the brain and body. If the signals it sends become distorted, symptoms of vertigo may arise.

We are an upper cervical chiropractic clinic based in Redwood City, and our method is personalized for each of our patient’s cases and individual needs. We use a gentle, accurate technique that encourages the bones of the neck to return into place more naturally than popping or cracking the neck like other chiropractors do. Once an adjustment is made, the body can engage in the healing process without hinderance. Most of our vertigo patients have reported a decrease in severity and frequency of their vertigo episodes after receiving our care. Some even experienced a complete disappearance of their symptoms.

Fibromyalgia is a complex condition that is still not well known. In the United States alone, approximately 5 million people are afflicted.  Besides giving widespread pain all over the body, fibromyalgia also hinders someone from getting a good night’s sleep. It can also cause cognitive issues like difficulty remembering or thinking. To help you get the best care for fibromyalgia and heal as fast as possible, we’re discussing the top three options you can choose from.

1. Doctor-Prescribed Medications

When you consult your doctor or family physician, he or she may suggest one of the following:

• Pain relievers: To help control the pain of fibromyalgia, doctors often begin by recommending over-the-counter medications such as Aleve, Advil, and Tylenol. If one of these does not work, prescription drugs such as tramadol may be prescribed.
• Antidepressants: Cymbalta may be given for fatigue and pain, while Prozac may help with sleep.
• Anti–seizure medications: Drugs such as Lyrica and Neurontin may help to deliver a degree of relief.

2. Practical Home Remedies

Changing some of the aspects of your lifestyle or habits may also improve the pain brought by fibromyalgia. Follow some of these practical steps you can do at home.

• Always get enough sleep. Fibromyalgia causes extreme fatigue. To combat the feeling of weakness and tiredness, do the following:
  • Go to bed at a regular time
  • Do not eat a few hours before bedtime
  • Have a good sleep environment (dark and cool, free of lights and noise)
• Do some light exercise regularly. This may sound like a tall order for someone in pain; however, studies have shown that daily, mild to moderate exercise can help reduce the pain of fibromyalgia.
• Manage your stress. Stress can drain your energy even more and aggravate fibromyalgia flare-ups. Mindfulness, meditation, and yoga can relieve your stress and ease many fibromyalgia issues.

3.Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

The best option there is to relieve the symptoms of fibromyalgia is to turn to an upper cervical chiropractor. Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is one good example. We work with patients to make sure that the bones of the upper neck are not misaligned. A misalignment may negatively impact the brainstem, which is responsible for relaying messages to and from the brain. If this happens, improper signals will be sent to the brain, which can lead to the development of many health conditions, including fibromyalgia. We use a gentle method to correct the alignment of the vertebrae and take the pressure off of the brainstem.

Schedule a consultation with Advanced Spinal Care to see what we can do to help you find relief.

To schedule a complimentary consultation call our Redwood City office at 650-595-0500 You can also click the button below.

if you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.

Sciatica flare-ups can give so much discomfort to people suffering from them. It happens when the sciatic nerve becomes compressed or irritated, leading to burning or pins and needles pain from the lower back down through the back of the leg. Performing the simplest tasks can be challenging.

One way to reduce the severity of the pain or decrease the frequency of episodes is through light exercises. Five exercises can help sciatica sufferers:

1. Yoga
2. Water aerobics
3. Daily stretching
4. Stationary Biking
5. Self-Trigger Point Therapy

Having strong spinal and core muscles helps in preventing sciatica pain. These exercises accompanied with a treatment that addresses the root cause of sciatica can get rid of your pain completely.

How Sciatica Is Linked to the Neck

Your spinal cord relays signals to and from your brain. Your nerves connect to your spinal cord and brain. When the uppermost bone in your spine (also known as atlas) gets out of its position, it creates a variety of compensations in the rest of the spine. These compensations can lead to muscle spasms, postural imbalance, and pain.

Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is highly skilled in NUCCA – a gentle chiropractic approach that focuses on correcting atlas misalignments. Our method does not involve any cracking or twisting of the neck. By realigning the atlas, pressure is reduced on the spinal cord and proper signals are sent to and from the brain, eventually creating a pain-free and balanced posture. Less muscle tension also results in even hips and a reduction or complete alleviation of sciatica symptoms.

In a case study, a 45-year-old woman who had sciatica down both legs had reported improvements after only one month of atlas chiropractic care. Her left leg sciatica was resolved, and her right leg sciatica had improved by 60%. After six months of care, her right leg sciatica had recovered by 98%.

Looking for a chiropractic doctor for back pain in Redwood City? Call us to schedule a consultation and get on the road to relief from your sciatica.

References:

1. Sciatica: Of all the nerve – Harvard Health [Internet]. Harvard Health. 2016 [cited 21 March 2016]. Available from: http://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/sciatica-of-all-the-nerve

2. Alibhoy N. Resolution of Fibromyalgia Following Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care: A Case Study. J Upper Cerv Chiro Res [Internet]. 2011 [cited 21 March 2016];2011(June):39-44. Available from: http://www.mccoypress.net/juccr/docs/2011-1059_fibromyalgia.pdf

To schedule a complimentary consultation call our Redwood City office at 650-595-0500 You can also click the button below.

if you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.

Post-concussion syndrome is a condition that persists after a concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury has occurred, commonly due to a blow to the head. Some of its symptoms last for weeks or months after the damage that caused the concussion, including headaches, fatigue, and dizziness. It can also appear with violent shaking and movement of the body or head.

Younger age and prior history of headaches are some of the risk factors of post-concussion syndrome. Women and older patients are also more vulnerable to have post-concussion symptoms.

Symptoms of Post-concussion Syndrome

Concussion-related symptoms are categorized into four areas – physical, cognitive, emotional, and sleep. Some of them are:

• Headaches or migraines
• Dizziness
• Neck and back pain
• Fatigue
• Speech problems

• Sleep disorders
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Cognitive problems (such as memory loss, confusion, and inattention)

The symptoms can begin instantly after the head injury or can occur months later.  This is vital information to consider as many times people notice a sudden change in personality or lack of energy in sufferers after much time has passed.

There are various balance and neurocognitive tests to catch the problem early on, but currently, there are no objective markers to diagnose post-concussion syndrome. The illness is detected through the symptoms reported by patients. Treatment recommendations given to patients are also very few like resting, discontinuing activities, and waiting until the symptoms go away.

Effective Care for Post-concussion Syndrome

Medical researcher and physician Dr. Justin Schallmann has met many sports players suffering from post-concussion syndrome, and he expressed dismay over the lack of a definite cure in our current healthcare system. As an upper cervical chiropractic specialist, Dr. Schallmann is dedicated to evaluating patients who are suffering from symptoms resulting from head trauma, and he passionately advocates for upper cervical specific chiropractic care. By adjusting the misalignment in the upper neck, it reduces the inflammation in the nerves which triggers the pain and neurological symptoms of post-concussion syndrome listed above. Through upper cervical chiropractic care, Dr. Schallmann has been able to help young athletes get their life back!

Here at Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California, we aim for the same for our patients, particularly athletes and people who have been in accidents. Call us and let us help you recover from the effects of post-concussion syndrome.

References

1. Riara FP, Ford MA. Sports-related concussions in youth: improving the science, changing the culture. National Academics Press. 4 Feb 2014. Web. Accessed on 26 August 2015. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK185340/>.
2. Elster E. Head Injury / Post Concussion syndrome. Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care. Web. Accessed on 26 August 2015. <http://erinelster.com/ConditionsDetail.aspx?ConditionID=12>.

 

To schedule a complimentary consultation call our Redwood City office at 650-595-0500 You can also click the button below.

if you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.

Fibromyalgia ranks as the second most common muscle disorder. As many as 6 to 12 million people have fibromyalgia, according to the American Chronic Pain Association. Fibromyalgia sufferers experience severe pain in the muscles and bones and other distressing symptoms.

Let’s dive into the fibromyalgia symptoms, common risk factors, and a natural treatment that works to alleviate the fibromyalgia pain.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Someone who has fibromyalgia may live through some or all the following:

• Chronic body pain and tenderness
• Fatigue
• Stiffness, particularly in the morning
• Numbness and tingling, especially in the hands and feet
• Cognitive problems such as memory and concentration issues
• Irritable bowels
• Insomnia
• Depression and anxiety

Researchers have discovered a link between fibromyalgia symptoms and a malfunction in the central nervous system, particularly the manner in which the brain processes pain signals. As a result, people with fibromyalgia feel pain more intensely than normal healthy people.

Risk Factors for Fibromyalgia

For some people, the onset of fibromyalgia comes with no warning signs. What makes a person at higher risk to develop fibromyalgia? The following factors increase one’s chances of getting the disorder.

• Being female – As many as 90% of fibromyalgia cases are in women. They are more likely to get fibromyalgia than men due to hormonal fluctuations. Menopause increases the risk even more.
• Genes – Researchers recognize that specific genetic markers may prompt a person to have fibromyalgia.
• Lifestyle – When someone is physically inactive, he or she becomes more prone to musculoskeletal issues.
• Trauma – If you have had some head or neck trauma in the past, it could lead to the development of fibromyalgia.

Effective and Natural Fibromyalgia Care in Redwood City, California

Fibromyalgia is just one of the many illnesses that upper cervical chiropractic care can treat. Upper cervical chiropractic care addresses the root cause of fibromyalgia rather than just providing temporary relief. Here at Advanced Spinal Care, we focus on the C1 and C2 vertebrae as they protect the brainstem against damage. However, if the vertebrae are misaligned, they can put pressure on the brainstem and cause it to malfunction, including malfunctioning in the sending of pain signals to the brain.  

We specialize in misalignments of the upper spine and help those who have suffered a head or neck injury to restore full body function and be free from fibromyalgia. We will correct your vertebra misalignment through our gentle and science-based method. Once your vertebrae return to their proper position, you can expect a reduction in or complete disappearance of your fibromyalgia symptoms.

References:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibromyalgia
• http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/guide/fibromyalgia-causes?page=2

To schedule a complimentary consultation call our Redwood City office at 650-595-0500 You can also click the button below.

 

if you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.

Migraines can be a real torment for people who have them. The most common symptoms include the following:

• Throbbing or pulsing headaches, usually one-sided
• Nausea and vomiting
• Lightheadedness, sometimes followed by fainting
• Sensitivity to lights, sounds, and sometimes even smells and touch

Although severe head pain is common for people suffering from migraines, you do not always have to experience a headache to be diagnosed with migraines. Head pain merely is one symptom of the disorder. You may have dizziness, blindness, or other vision issues without having a headache.

Migraine attacks can last for 3 to 72 hours and be so disabling for patients that most are forced to stay in bed until the pain goes away. Often, they miss work or school and have their social activities and family life suffer.

Common Migraine Triggers

Every individual has different triggers, but these are the common culprits that cause the sudden onset of migraines for most people:

• Hormonal changes
• Loud noises
• Bright lights
• Stress
• Fatigue
• Diet
• Smoking

Identifying your triggers gets you one step closer to effectively handling your migraines and dodging future attacks.

Traditional Migraine Treatments

Taking medication is a common practice in treating migraines. Preventative drugs may reduce the frequency and severity of migraines, and over-the-counter painkillers may help you get through a migraine attack. Although these give some momentary relief, they do not address the underlying cause of migraines. They may also come with unpleasant side effects. Overuse of pain-relieving medicines can trigger more migraine attacks. Surgery is also another option to cope with migraines, but it is dangerous and comes along with its own set of risks.

An Alternative Method to Overcome Migraines

There is one safe and non-invasive treatment for migraines that is getting ample attention for its effectiveness – upper cervical chiropractic care! Migraines have been linked to a misalignment in the top two bones of the neck, and our Redwood City, California upper cervical treatment care is here help.

• Have you had a trauma to the head or neck in the past?
• Does your headache start at the base of your skull?
• Is your neck painful, and does your head feel heavy?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, an atlas misalignment could be the reason for your migraines. The only way to be sure is to visit an upper cervical chiropractor. Call us today to set up a consultation.

To schedule a complimentary consultation call our Redwood City office at 650-595-0500 You can also click the button below.

if you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.

When asked about arthritis, most people would label it as a joint problem affecting the knees, hands, or hips. However, arthritis can involve the spine too. Also called spondylosis, it is marked by degeneration or breaking down of the discs between the vertebrae in the spine.

Little do people know, arthritis is an effort by the body to steady an unstable joint. It does so by consuming calcium to make up for the instability, combining the bones of the joint. Therefore, if any part of the body gets injured and becomes unstable, arthritis settles in to attempt to fix this problem. This results in swelling and irregular bone development. Injuries due to a car accident or similar trauma often initiate degeneration or weakening of the spine. It can take years before it causes substantial pain.

Can Arthritis of the Spine Be Prevented?

It is important to note that arthritis is a degenerative disorder, meaning it takes many years to progress to the point that the person suffering feels pain. For example, a person who fell out of bed at age 20, may only start to experience arthritis at age 40 or later.

To avoid arthritis of the spine, it is crucial to keep the joints active and healthy so that they do not merge. This can be done by regularly visiting an upper cervical chiropractor. Upper cervical chiropractors are well trained to look for irregularities in your spine. A misalignment in either the C1 or C2 vertebra can cause instability of the spine and the potential for arthritis.

At Advanced Spinal Care, we use a gentle technique to realign the spinal bones of our patients. We do not perform forceful popping or twisting. Upper cervical chiropractic care enables the body’s natural healing powers to repair any damage done by a spinal misalignment once the misalignment is corrected. Schedule an appointment with us to ensure a healthy spine and prevent arthritis from developing.

To schedule a complimentary consultation call our Redwood City office at 650-595-0500 You can also click the button below.

 

if you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.

We all have endured neck pain at some point in our lives. Neck pain is not only a painful physical burden but also a sure way to mess up your mood and ruin your day. Neck pain can range from a little soreness that resolves itself shortly to a powerful pain accompanied by pins and needles that makes even moving your head impossible to do. Some severe cases of neck pain include additional symptoms:

• Numbness or weakness in your arms
• Frozen shoulder
• Headaches
• Muscle spasm

If you’re suffering from neck pain, relief is likely your number one wish. Fortunately, comfort does not have to be just a dream as there are several neck pain treatment options out there. Neck pain patients can resort to medications such as over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs. Massage therapies, surgeries, or interventions may also work. The bottom line is that while most known treatment methods provide relief, they all fail in addressing the underlying cause of neck pain.  

Lesser Known but Effective Natural Neck Pain Relief

Neck pain accounts for many of the cases we have successfully handled at Advanced Spinal Care. Upper cervical chiropractic care specializes in healing neck pain and injuries and focuses on addressing the root cause of your neck pain, rather than just chasing around symptoms.

The atlas is the uppermost vertebra in the spine and is responsible for most of your head’s movement.  Because it’s freely moveable, it is susceptible to misalignment. When the atlas gets skewed from its normal position, it generates issues throughout the neck and the rest of the spine such as inflammation and muscle strain.

If you are suffering from chronic neck pain, then an atlas misalignment may be the culprit. Our gentle and accurate adjustments will help to restore normal alignment. Once the vertebrae in your neck can move properly, then pain and discomfort will be reduced, and in most of our patients, even eliminated. Reach out to us and let us help you address the root cause of your neck pain naturally.

References:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/neck-pain/basics/definition/con-20028772

To schedule a complimentary consultation call our Redwood City office at 650-595-0500 You can also click the button below.

if you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.

Headaches are a pain in the neck – literally. An article released in The News-Press, estimates that 20% of chronic headache conditions are caused by problems in the neck. The article was written by a physical therapist who went on to describe how something such as bad posture could pinch nerves in the neck and result in a headache.

Poor posture is more damaging than it may seem. Headaches are just one of the problems that can develop from poor posture. Herniated discs, scoliosis, and even the poor function of your internal organs can sometimes be attributed to poor posture. Listed below are some suggestions for improving your posture at work and at home.

• Get the right size desk and chair. Having a chair and desk that do not fit you can make it difficult to keep good posture even if you wanted to. Your feet should rest flat on the floor with your knees at roughly a 90-degree angle. Your monitor should be eye level and your keyboard should be approximately waist level.
• If you like to recline or lie down while watching TV, make sure your head is properly supported. Keeping your head too far forward or back, or having it tilted to the side (like when you put your head on an armrest), can cause neck pain.
• When standing, stand tall while pulling your shoulders back slightly and supporting your torso with your abdominal muscles.  

Upper Cervical Care Relieves Neck Aches and Headaches

If practicing good posture is not alleviating your neck aches or headaches, you might have a deeper issue that needs to be seen by a professional. Things like poor posture, trips and falls, and sports injuries can cause the uppermost vertebrae of the spine to move out of place. When this happens, nerves can be pinched, muscles become tense in an attempt to support the weakened area, and headaches can develop. Here at Advanced Spinal Care, in Redwood City, California, we do a careful analysis of each patient’s situation to see if upper cervical chiropractic care could be beneficial for them. If we detect a misalignment in the upper cervical vertebrae, we use a gentle technique to move the bones back to their correct alignment. Many patients experience great relief from their headaches and neck aches after receiving our care.

To schedule a complimentary consultation call our Redwood City office at 650-595-0500 You can also click the button below.

 

if you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.

Dealing with a sore neck is not just a bother but can also affect your performance at work, your focus in your personal life, and the daily activities you usually enjoy. If waking up with neck soreness becomes a regular pattern, it can lead you to become irritable and more and more desperate to find a solution.

Getting relief for your neck pain is a necessary for your all-around quality of life. Finding out why it is happening can help resolve more than just your pain. It can increase the quality of your life, since pain is an indicator of something gone wrong. There are a number of possible reasons for your neck pain, which have been listed below.

Possible Reasons for Neck Pain

• Muscle Tension – If you are required to sit for long periods of time in front of a computer, if you sleep in contorted positions, exercise too much, or have experienced a fall or another type of accident, your muscles may be strained or under tension from overuse or injury of those muscles.

• Trauma – Any damage to your cervical spine (an area of the spine that includes the upper seven vertebrae) can result in neck pain. This happens because of whiplash, or due to head or neck injuries.

• Poor Posture – Maintaining healthy posture is foundational for wellness and functionality for your entire body. This means being aware of the way that you are standing and sitting so that your body is positioned correctly. When you practice poor posture, it can cause weight displacement throughout the body, which can result in neck pain.

Looking Deeper into Your Neck Pain

Consider whether you have experienced some kind of head or neck injury in the past, or if you have exposed your neck to repetitive awkward movements such as from your sleep position or holding a phone between your ear and your shoulder. All of these can eventually lead to some changes in your spinal alignment. If the problem is the result of an injury, it may have happened many years in the past, but the problem took time to develop in severity. It is not uncommon for old injuries to resurface after years of being untended.

No matter what your history, if the underlying problem is due to a misalignment of the cervical spine, immediate relief could be only one upper cervical chiropractic visit away. The reason for this is that when the vertebrae in this area shift from their proper position, it places stress on the brainstem and interrupts communication between the brain and body.

Th good news is that here at Advanced Spinal Care, we specialize in the knowledge and methods necessary to restore this type of alignment and get you back to living life free of neck pain. We invite you to call us for a free consultation to see how we can best meet your specific needs.

To schedule a complimentary consultation call our Redwood City office at 650-595-0500 You can also click the button below.

if you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.