A concussion is a traumatic injury to the brain following a blow to the head.  Whether it occurred because of a sports injury or a motor vehicle accident, both immediate and longer-lasting ramifications.  A loss of consciousness is not necessary to experience a concussion.  In fact, some people may not even be aware that they may be suffering from a concussion if the initial injury didn’t seem that bad at the time.  This can be quite dangerous considering the changes that may occur in brain function as a result.

A person with a concussion may have a headache or feel pressure in the head.  They may also feel dizzy, nauseated, and extremely tired.  In some cases, there may be ringing in the ears, problems with speech, and cognitive deficits as well.  Some symptoms may not appear for days or even weeks after, including problems with memory, sleep issues, depression, anxiety, or personality changes.

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and chronic neck pain, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.

When someone sustains a blow to the head bad enough to cause a concussion, the odds are they’ve also injured the neck as well.  Upper cervical expert Dr. Terry Crowder sees this all the time in his practice; his patients who come in after a concussion often have a very specific misalignment of the vertebra that sits just beneath the skull at the top of the neck.  This vertebra is responsible for holding the head up, so it makes sense that after a blow to the head, this small bone can be easily forced out of position.  This can be the culprit for lingering concussion symptoms, especially headaches.

If you’ve suffered a concussion, having your upper cervical spine examined for a misalignment is key for ensuring proper healing.  Dr. Crowder will perform a thorough analysis to determine if this misalignment is present and will then customize a plan of care to correct the issue.  Many people with persistent will finally find the lasting relief they’ve been seeking.

Reference:

http://www.webmd.com/brain/concussion-traumatic-brain-injury-symptoms-causes-treatments

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Crowder, call our McKinney office at 972-449-5845. 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.

The exact cause of migraines has stumped the medical field.  As more research is being done, signs are increasingly pointing to migraines being a neurologically-based type of event.  A series of chemical reactions in the body can trigger an overexcitement of nerves, in particular, the trigeminal nerve which is responsible for pain sensation in the face and head.  This overexcitement can also spill over to other nerves as well as the meninges that cover the spinal cord and brain, which can lead to all of the symptoms of migraines.

As people who have suffered from a migraine will understand, a migraine is not just a run-of-the-mill headache.  It is often accompanied by a host of other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances.  Auras may precede the start of the migraine event, and can include blind spots, weakness, and visual hallucinations.

For many people with migraines, the treatment approach has been to try and stay on top of symptoms as they appear.  This often means painkillers for the headache, and sometimes hours or days of isolation in a dark, quiet room.  Since migraines are known to have their roots in the nervous system, a solution that has been helping many sufferers is ensuring that there is proper communication in the nervous system.

Communication over those pain pathways can be interfered with by a misalignment in the vertebrae of the spine, particularly of the upper bones in the neck due to their relationship with the brainstem.  In his McKinney, TX practice, upper cervical chiropractor Dr. Terry Crowder has helped many migraine sufferers regain their quality of life by addressing the root cause of their condition.  Dr. Crowder corrects specific misalignments of the top two vertebrae of the neck that, when misaligned, can disturb normal nervous system function leading to the development of migraines.  Addressing the cause of migraines at their source allows for reduction of their frequency and duration without the need for medications.

References:

http://www.healthline.com/health/migraine-causes

http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/what-is-a-migraine-with-aura

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Crowder, call our McKinney office at 972-449-5845. 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.

Neck pain is an ailment so common that everyone knows someone who has experienced it at one time or another.  The severity of neck pain can range from just a mild annoyance to a debilitating condition that prevents normal, day-to-day tasks from being accomplished.  Imagine if you were in so much pain that you were unable to turn your head while driving to check your blind spot before changing lanes!

Source of Neck Pain 

It may originate from either the structure of the neck (your spinal column and vertebrae) or the soft tissues (your muscles, ligaments, and tendons).  Of course, it is all connected, making the source of neck pain difficult to pinpoint at times.  Most people don’t think about the importance of neck strength like they do the strengthening of the biceps or quadriceps.  However, neck weakness can become a big issue and a key piece of maintaining normal function of brain-body communication.

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and chronic neck pain, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.

While strengthening the muscles of the neck is definitely important, if the structure of the neck is abnormal or misaligned, no amount of strength will provide lasting relief of neck pain.  Upper cervical chiropractor Dr. Terry Crowder focuses his entire practice around making sure the vertebrae of the neck are aligned properly.  More specifically, the top two vertebrae of the neck are the keystone of the spine and when misaligned can create pain and loss of function anywhere in the body.  So, if you haven’t found lasting relief from your neck pain from ice, heat, massage therapy, painkillers, or otherwise, a misalignment of the upper cervical vertebrae of the neck should be investigated as a probable cause of your pain.

References:

http://breakingmuscle.com/strength-conditioning/the-top-5-exercises-to-strengthen-your-neck

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Crowder, call our McKinney office at 972-449-5845. 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.