 You feel as though you are spinning or falling, but you are perfectly still. Vertigo is incredibly disorienting, and can affect the most basic of daily tasks. There are two classification types of vertigo, central and peripheral. Peripheral ▪ Vertigo that is caused outside of the central nervous system (outside of the brain and spinal cord) ▪ Most common type of vertigo ▪ Possible nausea or vomiting ▪ Hearing loss and/or ringing in the ear may occur ▪ Sudden onset Central ▪ Vertigo cause originates inside of the central nervous system (in brain and/or spinal cord) ▪ Gradual onset of vertigo episode ▪ Attacks are of lesser intensity than peripheral vertigo To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo download our complimentary e-book.  How is my neck related to my vertigo? Your spine is responsible for protecting your spinal cord. Your spinal cord is essential for transmitting signals to and from your brain. When the top bone in your neck (atlas) is misaligned, this can create pressure within your spinal cord at the base of your neck. This can affect signals going to and from your brainstem, potentially leading to vertigo symptoms. Dr. Hanson and I have received extensive training in NUCCA. NUCCA is a chiropractic technique aimed at precisely adjusting the atlas vertebra. Through this gentle correction, the atlas is realigned. Proper atlas alignment allows for reduced spinal cord pressure, restoring normal joint position signals to and from the brain. This may reduce symptoms of vertigo. Elster conducted an analysis of 60 patients with chronic vertigo that received specific atlas corrections. 48 out of the 60 patients received complete resolution of vertigo symptoms. All of the cases received some reduction of vertigo severity and/or frequency over the course of one to six months of atlas care. References: 1. Marl K. Central Vertigo Clinical Presentation: History, Physical, Causes [Internet]. Emedicine.medscape.com. 2016 [cited 18 April 2016]. Available from: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/794789-clinical 2. Elster E. Sixty Patients With Chronic Vertigo Undergoing Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care to Correct Vertebral Subluxation: A Retrospective Analysis. J Vert Sub Res [Internet]. 2006 [cited 18 April 2016];2006(Nov):1-9. Available from: https://vertebralsubluxation.sharepoint.com/Pages/2006_1174_Vertigo.aspx To schedule a consultation with Dr. Hanson click the button below or call 866-587-7111 
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 An interesting case was presented in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractor Research. It was about a 45-year-old female who had fibromyalgia. She complained of migraine headaches, pain throughout her back, neck pain, sciatica, depression, duodenal ulcer, numbness in her fingers, and right knee pain. Her history revealed that when she was 15 years old, she had a traumatic head injury from diving into a shallow pool. Over the next 25 years, she was in a total of 10 car accidents. Her doctor diagnosed her with fibromyalgia. She endured another injury five years later, falling down a flight of stairs. This increased her pain. She found temporary relief over a 12-year period by seeing general chiropractors. However, she was still in pain and suffering from depression. She was prescribed Flexeril, Soma, and Vicodin. It was impossible for her to climb stairs, walk more than 20 feet, or swim. She ended up using a wheelchair to help her complete her daily tasks and conserve energy. To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and fibromyalgia download our complimentary e-book.  Upper Cervical Chiropractic and Fibromyalgia We differ from general chiropractors in that we focus our attention on the upper two bones of the vertebrae. A person with head or neck trauma may likely have a misalignment here. This causes the central nervous system to malfunction and changes the way the body works. The above-mentioned patient sought out the care of an upper cervical chiropractor. Here are her results:
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Hanson click the button below or call 866-587-7111   Let’s begin by discussing the sciatic nerve. There are actually two branches of the nerve, one running down the back of each leg. The nerves originate in the lower segments of the spinal cord, pass through the hip, and run down the back of the leg into the foot. They are the largest peripheral nerves of the body, about the size of the little finger. The job of the sciatic nerve is to relay messages to and from the brain about the lower body and sensations in the legs. Conditions such as sciatica alter these messages. What Are the Symptoms of Sciatica?
 When to Be Concerned Pain from sciatica can vary. In mild cases, it will clear up on its own in a few weeks. However, if numbness is felt in the thighs or weakness in the muscles continues to get worse over time, it may be time to seek the care of a professional. Another sign that sciatica may be getting serious is the inability to control the bowels or bladder function. Where to Find Answers The good news is that sciatica does not have to be a permanent condition. Upper cervical chiropractors are specialists in treating conditions related to the spine and have seen success stories abound with their patients. A common misconception is that lower back pain must be treated by adjusting the lower back. The truth is that the problem often lies in the upper neck vertebrae. Misalignments of only a quarter of a millimeter can wreak havoc on the entire body. By realigning the subluxations in the upper neck, the rest of the spine follows by falling back into place. This often dramatically reduces or eliminates the symptoms of sciatica. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Hanson click the button below or call 866-587-7111   As if migraines were not bad enough to have to deal with on their own, they can occasionally be connected to another serious health condition—seizures. Unfortunately, since the two conditions share some similar symptoms, they may be confused for one another, or a person may not realize that he is experiencing both. The term for migraines and seizures together is migralepsy. What Is an Occipital Seizure? One condition that can mimic the symptoms of a migraine is an occipital seizure. Symptoms include:
 How Does Migralepsy Differ? One primary thing that can set migralespy apart is aura. If you experience aura before an attack, that is from a migraine and means that a migraine is presenting with the seizures. Interestingly, another thing that connects the two conditions is what causes them to occur. Electrical signals that the brain receives through the nerves are abnormal in both cases. Because of this, the first goal has to be to get those nerves sending the right messages again. One thing that can cause these abnormal signals is pressure on the brainstem. This can be the result of a misalignment of the C1 or C2 vertebrae which are situated at the base of the skull. Correcting such a misalignment can go a long way in reducing the frequency of migraines and seizures, perhaps even stopping the attacks completely. Learn More About Migraine Treatment in Tulsa, Oklahoma If that sounds too good to be true, I encourage you to give us a call at Books Spinal Care to schedule a consultation. Our upper cervical chiropractors can explain to you why the NUCCA method of upper cervical care is so effective at helping neurological conditions like migraines. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Hanson click the button below or call 866-587-7111   Chronic fatigue syndrome is a complex condition, and the causes are little understood. Even so, the list of symptoms can make day to day life difficult. Extreme tiredness or fatigue that does not go away with sleep and rest, memory loss, muscle pain, and swollen lymph nodes are all classic signs of the condition. In most cases, a diagnosis is not found through testing. Other issues are tested for and once they are ruled out, chronic fatigue moves up higher on the list of possibilities. All of this takes time and can be a frustrating process. Some researchers are looking into the matter as one that can be relieved with exercise and a positive outlook. They have explored the matter from the angle of the condition being more of a state of mind than an actual physiological condition. Studies that have been published on the matter have drawn some controversy. Sufferers of the condition know the issues are more complex than what was suggested. Patients and physicians alike find themselves at a loss when it comes to effectively treating this difficult and complicated condition. To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and fibromyalgia download our complimentary e-book.  Upper Cervical Chiropractic and Chronic Fatigue For physicians trained in upper cervical chiropractic care, the subject takes a turn for the better. Often the cause of such a condition is an impedance in communication with the brain and the other systems of the body via the nervous system. What can cause the obstruction? The two upper vertebrae, C1 and C2, can come out of alignment. If this occurs, stress is put on the brainstem. This region of the brain is what is responsible for many of the body's functions. When under duress, increased pain, lack of or disturbance in sleep, changes in hormones, and other symptoms can manifest. Fortunately, many of these functions can heal and return to normal when the upper cervical region is properly aligned. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Hanson click the button below or call 866-587-7111   Migraine headaches are very common in the fast-paced world that we live in. Some may feel that a headache can simply be resolved if you drink some water and rest in darkened room. This rarely works with a migraine. These headaches can last up to seventy-two hours and are excruciating. There are some facts about migraines that may be surprising to learn.
 The Secret to Finding Migraine Relief Migraines are actually a neurological disorder that may be caused by a tiny misalignment of only ¼ of a millimeter in the upper neck. If either of your top two vertebrae are out of alignment, they may be causing the body to not communicate the way it should. This leads to all kinds of health problems, including migraine headaches. Upper cervical chiropractors are trained in the latest techniques to detect and then correct injuries that may be affecting the brainstem. When these corrections are made, the body begins to heal, and migraines may be a thing of the past. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Hanson click the button below or call 866-587-7111   These days many of us spend most of our working life sitting down hunched over a computer sending emails rather than walking to meetings and being generally active. When we think of workplace injuries, we tend to think of accidents that happen to people working in manual jobs such as building, catering, and factory work. For example, you may think of falls caused by loose carpeting or slippery floors. We may often think of trips, slips, and people falling off ladders. However, office-based workers are also susceptible to these and other injuries that can have a detrimental effect on their quality of life. The move to such a sedentary working life can wreak havoc with the health of a workforce. Therefore, employers need to consider new ways of working that limit the negative effects on a person’s health. To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and lower back pain download our complimentary e-book.  Research by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the most common workplace injuries affect people’s shoulders and backs, arms, wrists, legs, and abdomens. However, most of these injuries can be avoided, and it’s up to each individual employer to introduce health and safety regulations to ensure staff remain healthy and are not at risk of falls and other accidents. For those people who have suffered from an injury at work, it’s worth making an appointment with an upper cervical chiropractor. This is because often the pain caused by an injury of this nature can be relieved by manipulating the bones in a person’s upper neck. At a patient’s first session, the practitioner will examine the upper neck vertebrae (the C1 and C2 bones) and see if they are in the correct position. If they are out of alignment, this may be the cause of a patient’s pain. Even a tiny misalignment can place pressure on a person’s brainstem and cause health problems. Correcting this problem, and realigning the two bones relieves this pressure and enables the body to function properly again. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Hanson click the button below or call 866-587-7111   Migraine headaches often come on in stages. In some patients, symptoms of a migraine may start as early as 24 hours before the actual headache sets in. Unfortunately, migraines that occur in stages only prolong the suffering of the patient. Let us consider some of the stages of migraine headaches.
 Finding Relief from Migraines in Tulsa, Oklahoma At Brooks Spinal Care, we seek to treat the root cause of migraines. You may be surprised to know that many migraine symptoms can be traced back to a misalignment in the topmost vertebrae of the neck. If the C1 or C2 are misaligned by even ¼ mm, your brain may not be able to communicate with the rest of the body properly. Many patients find that symptoms are greatly reduced or even go away completely when such a misalignment is corrected. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Hanson click the button below or call 866-587-7111   Fibromyalgia involves more than just chronic pain, although that is one of the primary symptoms of this debilitating disease. What are some others?
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and fibromyalgia download our complimentary e-book.  Even though a person may not feel like they are experiencing any of the symptoms right now, it is important to be aware of what they are as this condition can affect anyone at any time. What may cause a person to be more prone to experiencing fibromyalgia?
When this misalignment is corrected by an upper cervical chiropractor, normal flow of blood, oxygen, cerebrospinal fluid, and nerves can begin. Healing can take place, and the end result may be a decrease in many of the symptoms of fibromyalgia, or possibly a total remission. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Hanson click the button below or call 866-587-7111   Unfortunately, pain is part of life for everyone. Sciatic pain makes life very uncomfortable. A person may deal with it on a daily basis. However, it is possible something can be done about it. So, where can a person begin to find relief? Many think their first step should be to visit their family physician. Some are reluctant to do this because they basically know what will happen. They will be given medication to dull the pain, exercises to do, and lifestyle changes to make. This is not the answer everyone is looking for. This may alleviate some pain, but it is not addressing the root cause of sciatica. Are there any other options? Before we discuss that, let's take a deeper look into what sciatica is, so that we can understand how to treat it. Symptoms associated with sciatic pain are the following:
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and lower back pain download our complimentary e-book.  What is sciatica? The sciatic nerve extends from your lower back through the buttocks and down the back of the leg. It consists of five nerve roots that are connected to the spine. When one of these nerve roots becomes irritated or compressed pain is the result. Some things that can cause this to happen are pregnancy, spinal disc herniation, car accidents, tumors, spinal stenosis, or piriformis syndrome. One area of treatment that has seen much success in dealing with sciatic pain is that of upper cervical chiropractic care. Even though the pain is being felt in the lower extremities, the problem may lie in the upper part of the neck. A misalignment here of only ¼ of a millimeter can be putting undue pressure on the brainstem causing the body not to communicate properly with the brain. By getting a proper adjustment to this area, many have reported relief of symptoms. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Hanson click the button below or call 866-587-7111  |
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