Two Case Studies on Neck InjuriesIn this blog we'll look at a couple of case studies of children who suffered traumatic brain injuries or mild spinal cord injuries published by upper cervical chiropractor Dr. Erin Elster. The first case study she reported is of an eight year old boy who hit his head when he fell on a school playground. We'll then look at a six year old boy who sustained an injury from a television falling off of a cabinet and hitting him on the head.
In Elster's first study, she reported that the arms and legs of the boy who fell on the school playground tingled, and he was diagnosed with a spinal cord injury. This led to loss of bowel control, which lasted for the next six months until his mother brought him in to Dr. Elster for an examination of his upper neck vertebrae.
During a digital infrared imaging and radiographic diagnostic, it was determined that he had sustained an injury to the upper neck. The severity of the impact of the fall most likely caused the displacement of his skull from his upper neck. This most likely led to the spinal cord injury, which then led to the injury to his bowels. His initial adjustment restored his bowels to normal activity.
In the case study of the boy who sustained the impact of the television that fell, he was lying on the floor when it fell on him. It fell on his face causing multiple fractures around his eye. Multiple reconstructive surgeries to his eye socket and sinuses followed this diagnoses.
After his surgeries and the fractures healed, his mother noticed behavioral changes in her son. He also suffered from double vision and continuous headaches. They consulted with numerous physicians and neurologists, all of whom determined the injuries were permanent and there was nothing they could do to reverse them.
Though, an examination by Dr. Elster revealed that the boy had sustained an upper neck injury, which was most likely due to the accident he suffered months earlier. It only took a few weeks of care before the double vision and headaches were completely gone.
Both of these case studies reveal that whether your child is playing with friends or just sitting and watching television, there is always that chance of them sustaining and injury to their upper neck. We know you want your kid to be able to be a kid, and we want your kid to be a kid. But it's difficult to be a kid when you suffer from health related issues that can be easily resolved by correcting any misalignments in your upper neck.
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:
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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/
Migraines and your BrainIf you suffer from migraines, it is due to abnormal brain activity. This abnormal brain activity is frequently related changes in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) flow and blood flow in surrounding tissues.
A frequent reason for this change in brain activity is a misalignment of the upper neck. Misalignments of the upper neck can lead to changes in the fluids that flow to from and through your brain. There are also a number of external triggers that can set off migraines that you should avoid especially until you can address the underlying cause.
There are numerous factors that may lead to these debilitating headaches, and these are just a list of some of the external ones that are in migraine sufferers control to change.
So, if you suffer from these debilitating headaches, but you're not sure what causes them, the first best step you can take is to keep a journal of foods you eat, activities you do, and other factors that may cause that abnormal brain activity to occur.
Of course, while you're keeping that journal, seeking the care of an upper cervical chiropractor, who will examine your upper neck vertebra to determine if a misalignment is present due to a head or neck injury.
Minimizing triggers is important but getting to the underlying cause is so much more vital.
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:
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/
Understanding SciaticaYour Sciatic nerve, which extends from your lower back down through your legs, is the largest nerve in your body. You have two of them, and each one is connected to your spine by five spinal nerve roots. Sciatica occurs when there is a pressure or irritation against your sciatic nerve or one of its nerve roots.
Sufferers often describe their pain as a burning, searing, or sharp sensation. Though, they may also feel a pressure, numbness, tingling or prickling sensation that radiates down the leg. The pain usually increases when sitting or standing still, it is constant, and it only occurs in the leg with the damaged Sciatic Nerve. Here is a list of the types of pain a person will feel:
While most cases of Sciatica are mild, two signs that it is due to a serious injury are when the person suffering has an inability to control their bowel or bladder, or when there is a progressive weakness or loss of sensation in the leg.
If you suffer from Sciatica, no matter where the pain occurs and regardless of the severity of the pain, you don't need to continue to suffer. We understand the quality of your life has diminished because of your inability to get through a day pain free.
A frequent but underappreciated cause of sciatica begins with your spinal alignment. When accidents and injuries occur to your head, neck or spine the connective tissue that holds this spine in place including muscles, ligaments, tendons etc. are torn leading to a weakness and a breakdown of the normal alignment of the spine. This misalignment pattern frequently begins with a head and neck come together. This is the most vulnerable area of the spinal column. The heavy head resting on a small bone. If misalignment occurs here the entire spinal column will compensate in order to keep the brain and a balanced and level position. One of the most common compensations that develop is in the pelvis. The pelvis will tilt and twist. This tilting and twisting can lead to sciatica, lower back pain and other problems.
Frequently someone suffering from sciatica will use physical therapy, general chiropractic treatments, injections and even surgery to the local area to attempt to address the problem. However if the root cause of the sciatica is beginning in a different area of the spinal column, then regardless of how much localized treatment you have it will never resolve the true cause of the problem. This can lead to frustration, increase expense and unnecessary suffering.
Right now, the best thing you can do to find relief from your pain is to seek out the care of an upper cervical chiropractor. They will examine your upper neck vertebrae and the rest of your spinal column to determine the best course of action.
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:
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/
Migraine SpecialistIf you suffer from migraines, you know that they are more than just normal headaches. That's why you need the help of a migraine headache specialist to address your condition. A migraine is actually a neurological condition that can produce many different symptoms including extreme pain. Many who experience migraines also suffer from nausea, blurred vision, and aura. Let's discuss how you can go about finding a migraine specialist.
Because migraines are a neurological condition, the best migraine specialist is a doctor who understands the neurology of migraine headaches and specializes in headaches and migraines. Headache centers exist across the country where doctors work to properly diagnose and treat conditions such as migraines. Thus, you are likely to find a top migraine specialist at one of these facilities.
What kinds of treatment may you expect if you are officially diagnosed as experiencing migraines? Often, preventative measures are taken. A journal may be kept, for example, of your eating habits. If you can identify certain foods that trigger your migraines (red wine, chocolate, aged cheeses, and citrus fruits are the biggest culprits), then you will need to avoid such triggers. Other triggers may involve your environment or certain activities.
Medications may also be used on some occasions. While there is not a definite connection between migraines and seizures, there is some cross over when it comes to medications that are used to treat the two conditions. There are also some symptoms that can occur with both such as aura. Other times, migraines are treated with beta blockers (usually used for patients with high blood pressure) or antidepressants.
If you are looking to address your migraine headaches naturally without drugs, an upper cervical chiropractic specialist may be your best choice. Upper cervical chiropractors seek to find the underlying cause of the migraines. If the root cause of the migraines can be identified, the cause may be able to be treated rather than just mitigating the symptoms of migraine headaches. For example, many times migraines can be traced back to a serious head or neck injury. An upper cervical chiropractic practitioner may be able to address the underlying cause of the migraines, by adjusting the top two vertebrae in the neck. The C1 and C2 are found right at the base of the brain stem. This area could be injured with no pain being felt in the neck or head, but the misalignment can cause other complications such as migraines.
As you can see, a migraine is a very complex medical condition that should be handled by a migraine specialist who will be able to help diagnose the problem correctly and recommended the proper approach for you.
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:
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/
If you are living with the devastating pain of migraines, you're more than likely dealing with the usual debilitating symptoms that include nausea, extreme sensitivity to sound or light, vomiting and intense pain. Some migraine sufferers also experience weird visual disturbances that some describe as what looks like electrical bolts of color (auras), a tingling or numbing feeling, having difficulty speaking and clumsiness, and the attacks typically last between 4 to 72 hours. The standard medical treatments for migraines usually consist of a combination of prescription and over the counter drugs that are usually far from effective and don’t treat the root cause. In addition, most of these drugs come with a long list of potentially dangerous side effects.
This chiropractic approach focused of the upper cervical spine is a rapidly growing, safe and accurate type of care that centers on the connection between the upper cervical spine (the first two bones in the neck) and the brain stem. An imbalance in the body takes place when the Atlas (C1) and/or the Axis (C2), the top 2 vertebra in the neck, are out of alignment. This misalignment can come about as a result of physical trauma including car accidents, sports injuries, falls, and other head and neck injuries.
A misalignment in the upper cervical spine can affect the functionality of the brain stem which in turn can cause migraine headaches. Doctors who specialize in the brain stem and upper cervical care receive extensive education and training, using the latest, state of the art technologies to analyze the misalignment and correct it. The goal of the upper cervical doctor is to correct spinal misalignments in order to restore normal function to the nervous system or brain stem, consequently addressing what is actually causing the migraines instead of just treating the symptoms. The end result of upper cervical care has actually been so exceptional that the vast majority of migraine sufferers have significantly improved in both the frequency and severity of their migraines.
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:
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 Migraine HeadachesChronic migraine headaches are those that occur 15 or more times a month with a headache that lasts 4 hours or more, at least 3 months in a row for individuals with ongoing or a previous diagnosis of migraine. This means that individuals with chronic migraines spend a huge amount of time dealing with debilitating pain, in many cases making them miss work or school and the activities they enjoy. There are approximately 3.2 million Americans that suffer from chronic migraine (mostly women), an astounding number.
While there's no proven cure, there are chronic migraine treatments that can help manage the pain and frequency of the attacks with most falling to into 2 groups; acute and preventive. If you're considering seeing a headache specialist or other health professional with experience treating migraines, you should keep a diary to help with your consultation regarding your pain and treatment options.
Acute medications are available by prescription or over the counter and taken as needed with the hope of stopping the pain once it has begun. Individuals, who don't respond to acute medications, experience major disruptions in their lives due to migraine, or have a high occurrence of migraine attacks, may want to consider preventive therapy. Unlike treatment options that are used at the beginning of a migraine, preventive medications are taken on a regular basis with the objective being to reduce the severity and frequency of the attacks.
The problem with taking any drugs, over the counter or prescription, is that there are an unsettling number of migraine sufferers with heart problems who should never be prescribed common migraine medications that are given the drugs anyway. All of the drugs are triptans and while they can be effective when it comes to treating migraine headache symptoms, they can also cause major problems for people with heart conditions because they temporarily narrow the blood vessels. This also includes men and women in their 40's and 50's, diabetics, smokers and those with a family history of stroke or heart disease.
Another concern is that frequent use of migraine medication does little to nothing to address the underlying cause of the attacks and can actually cause them to become more frequent. Studies have revealed that taking the drugs incorrectly (including too often) can contribute to the headache burden, leading to withdrawal or what are referred to as “rebound” headaches. This is where a destructive cycle begins, leading to the taking of even more painkillers, followed by more intense migraines. Many also find that the medication gradually loses its effectiveness yet they need to keep taking it if they want to avoid rebound headaches.
Upper cervical chiropractic care is a gentle, side effect free way to alleviate migraine headaches. Upper cervical care also improves posture and body balance, helps patients recover from painful whiplash injuries as well as balances the nervous system. Upper cervical chiropractic care is a precise, non-invasive approach which makes it a great natural alternative to chronic migraine problems. Although injections, medications and surgery are often recommended to treat migraine, you may want to consider them as a form of treatment as a last resort.
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:
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/
If you have tingling and numbness in your hands and arms, there is a good chance you have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). What is the Carpal Tunnel? It is the passageway that protects the main nerve to your hand (the median nerve) and the nine tendons that allow your fingers to move. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is what happens when this nerve is compressed.
So, what does that have to do with your spine? This median nerve starts in your neck, goes through your arm, and extends into your hand via the Carpal Tunnel. It is also formed from nerve roots extending from your spine. The compression on this median nerve leads to the tingling, numbness, or other symptoms in your hands and arms. An upper cervical adjustment to relieve any irritation on the nerve roots will also relieve any pressure on the median nerve. That irritation of those nerve roots extending from your spine may cause the irritation of your median nerve and the tingling in your hands or fingers.
So, how do you know if you have CTS? Were you in a car accident? Did you fall? Did you experience a sports related injury? Have you sought the care of an upper cervical specialist since that fall or collision? Any of these or countless other episodes that resulted in spinal damage could have resulted in CTS.
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:
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/
If you are experiencing a shooting pain from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down one of your legs, there is good news and bad news. The bad news is there is a chance you are experiencing sciatica, but the good news is you don't need to live with the pain. Though, it is important not to ignore this problem because sciatica may be symptomatic of another problem.
Your body is putting pressure on the sciatic nerve that it is not meant to sustain, but specific chiropractic adjustments can put the body back in alignment. Your sciatic nerve controls various muscles in your back, knees, and lower legs. That means if sciatica is not properly treated it can lead to adverse physical effects such as numbness, tingling, muscle atrophy and even foot drop.
At first, you may only notice a dull pain, but sciatica may also manifest itself as a mild tingling or a burning sensation. The pain typically only occurs on one side of the body, often starts slowly, and can occur at various times. But that pain, if left untreated, can lead to more pressure, more pain, and more problems.
If you feel pain starting from the lower spine that runs down through your leg, chances are you are experiencing Sciatica. It is important that you receive a proper chiropractic evaluation. If it is Sciatica, there are some things you can do before your evaluation.
An upper cervical chiropractor can thoroughly evaluate the alignment of your head neck and spine to determine if postural problems may be leading to your sciatica. This is a very common cause of sciatic pain and if addressed properly can frequently reduce pain quickly while getting to the underlying cause.
References:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sciatica/basics/definition/con-20026478
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001706/
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:
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/
Headache ClassificationAll headaches are classified as primary or secondary headaches, which means there's a reason and a cause for your headache. They key is finding out which type of those classifications your headaches fall under, and then take steps to alleviate and overcome the cause of your headache.
Now, let's define the differences between the two classifications
So, which one of these classifications of headaches do you suffer from? Well, primary headaches are most likely either migraines, Tension-type, or cluster. If you get headaches, but they don't feel like one of those three types of headaches, then your headaches are most likely secondary headaches. That means there is an underlying cause for your head pain. It may be something as common as whiplash, or it may be due to a condition, such as Influenza or sinusitis.
Right now, the best this you can do is stop relying on that headache medication, which won't help the underlying cause and may even worsen your head pain or cause it to become more frequent. Instead, pick up the phone and make an appointment with an upper cervical chiropractor. They will examine your upper cervical spine for any misalignments in your neck that may be the underlying cause of your condition or disease that's causing your head pain.
Your brain send signals to your body via the brainstem, when your two upper neck vertebrae are out of alignment by just ¼ of a millimeter, that communication system is hindered. Realigning those two vertebrae, then, restores, allows your brain to communicate with your body unhindered.
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:
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/
Fibromyalgia Ear Pain SymptomsIf you suffer from fibromyalgia then you know that the list of symptoms is dozens of items long and that many sufferers experience a large number of symptoms. One common symptom of fibromyalgia is ear pain. The pain may occur in or around the ear. Often patients complain of a feeling of fullness in the ear. The ear may also ache or experience ringing. What is the cause of fibromyalgia ear pain and how can it be addressed in a natural way without prescription medication? Read on to learn more about why fibromyalgia sufferers experience ear pain and how natural approaches such as upper cervical chiropractic may prove effective.
While the connection has not been determined for certain, the one thing that is becoming clear is that ear pain experienced by patients with fibromyalgia is not caused by a problem in the ear itself. One study from just last year determined that the problem springs from the central nervous system. But just because the problem is in the nervous system and not the ear doesn’t mean that the pain isn’t real. Unfortunately, many medical practitioners will just prescribe something for the pain rather than looking for the root cause of the problem.
A common underlying cause of pain is a misalignment of the upper neck. When the C1 and C2 vertebrae become misaligned the results can be any number of symptoms including ear pain and many of the other symptoms of fibromyalgia. Why is this the case? These two upper neck vertebrae lie at the base of the brain stem. Any misalignment can thus cause neurological problems that may not display as pain in the neck or spine, but as many and varied symptoms. Because of this fact, upper cervical chiropractic is a logical fibromyalgia ear pain approach. It attacks the symptoms at their source instead of just treating the pain.
Studies have connected upper cervical chiropractic to relieve of the symptoms of both fibromyalgia as well as chronic fatigue syndrome. An injury to the upper cervical spine can cause many of the symptoms related to both conditions and the symptoms may take years to surface making diagnosis of the initial injury difficult. By giving upper cervical chiropractic a try as a natural, drug-free fibromyalgia ear pain treatment, you may discover that the ear pain isn’t the only thing about your health that improves dramatically.
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:
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/
