- January 5, 2022
Upper cervical chiropractic care usually gets overlooked. The neck is one of the most complex and delicate parts of your body. Two critical blood vessels and the upper part of your spine pass through it. And it is also subject to injury – either through trauma (car accident or slip and fall) or through long-term poor posture caused by using modern devices such as smartphones and laptops (the so-called tech neck). For this reason, many people who suffer from neck pain choose upper cervical chiropractic care, a safe and non-invasive therapy.
As their treatment plan advances, many of these patients discover that they stop suffering from various other unpleasant symptoms. They had no idea that their root cause was subluxation or misalignment of their neck vertebrae. In this article, the specialists at Specific Care Chiropractic will explain the benefits of upper cervical chiropractic care for various conditions.
What Is Upper Cervical Chiropractic Therapy?
Upper cervical chiropractic care focuses on the first two vertebrae of your spine, which are located in your neck:
- C1 – atlas
- C2 – axis.
The chiropractor will use a combination of adjustments and manipulation to help realign these two vertebrae if they are subluxated. Improper misalignment of the vertebrae can generate a series of health problems caused by a nerve getting pinched or subject to pressure, either from the vertebrae or from a bulging disc.
Benefits of Choosing Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care
Here are some of the many conditions that misaligned upper vertebrae can cause and which a chiropractor can help alleviate:
1. Neck Pain and Stiffness
You cannot ignore a painful and stiff neck, even if you try. The pain, even at low levels, constantly drains you of energy and reduces your ability to focus on your work. It is usually caused by:
- Misaligned vertebrae pinching a nerve
- Bulging disc
- Muscle strain and inflammation.
Upper cervical chiropractic adjustments will solve the root cause of neck pain and stiffness and help you return to your regular life full of energy and wellbeing.
2. Headaches
Did you know that upper vertebrae misalignment and poor neck posture can be the real cause of your constant headaches, especially tension headaches? As their name says, they are caused by tense muscles. You may not be aware but your entire head is covered by a network of muscles that help your head move and allow you to eat, speak and make facial expressions.
Upper cervical chiropractic care involves a series of manipulation techniques, including specialized massage, to reduce tension in the nerves and solve the cause of your headaches.
3. Vertigo
Many people suffer from unexplained dizzy spells. They suddenly lose their sense of balance and orientation and actually have to hold on to something solid. This condition is called vertigo and is primarily caused by issues with the inner ear. It contains a few tiny bones which are responsible for giving you the sense of up, down, left, and right.
A chiropractor can successfully treat vertigo with upper cervical manipulations and adjustments.
4. TMJ Disorder
TMJ is the convenient acronym used for the “temporomandibular joint.” Two TMJ joints and a ligament connect the lower jaw to the skull, allowing you to chew food, talk, smile, and yawn.
TMJ disorder represents an inflammation of this ligament, which can be caused, among other things, by a head and neck injury. Thus, upper cervical chiropractic treatment is the answer to your ailment.
5. Post Concussion Syndrome
Every type of head trauma is dangerous, even if you do not lose consciousness. A concussion can occur hours or days later after the traumatic event. In some cases, its negative effects can last for weeks or even months. If you still experience one of these symptoms more than 10 days after a hit to the head, you probably suffer from post-concussion syndrome:
- Dizziness
- Blurry vision
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Memory problems
- Difficulty focusing on your tasks.
The good news is that upper cervical chiropractic care can treat post-concussion syndrome successfully. The main cause of your symptoms is improper communication between the brain and the rest of the body, due to a pinched nerve.
The treatment plan will focus on realigning your upper vertebrae, reducing inflammation in your head and neck muscles, and improving blood flow.
Choose a Team of Specialists in Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care!
Specific Care Chiropractic is a clinic with 20 years of experience and an excellent reputation among patients. Our doctors will examine you and create a personalized upper cervical chiropractic treatment plan to help you alleviate pain and other debilitating symptoms.
We invite you to schedule your first appointment in any of our clinics located in:
- Fort Myers, FL
- Cape Coral, FL
- Coral Springs, FL
- Leigh Acres, FL.
