Concussions have been in the limelight a lot recently.  Generating awareness about concussions is something we’ve done at Crower Specific Chiropractic for some time now, and it seems like everyone else is catching on.  A recent article in the New York Times reports that Ivy League football coaches have made a move to eliminate all tackling from practices during the regular season.  This is being done because of concerns about trauma to the brain as well as other injuries.  Reducing the number of opportunities that players have to sustain a concussion is at the heart of this important discussion.

Awareness of Concussion Symptoms

It’s not just athletes who need to have an awareness of concussion symptoms – even a minor car accident or slip and fall can generate enough force to cause a mild concussion.  Injuries to the head or neck that are bad enough to cause a concussion have also likely caused a misalignment to the vertebra that sits just beneath the skull, the atlas.  The atlas vertebra protects the most vital part of the central nervous system apart from the brain itself – your brainstem.  When the atlas shifts out of normal alignment, it disturbs normal nervous system function, blood flow, and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid.  If your concussion symptoms, such as headaches, memory issues, sleep problems, or dizziness are lingering, then an atlas misalignment may be to blame.

Crowder Specific Chiropractic takes an extremely specific approach to atlas correction.  As upper cervical experts, we approach each patient’s case individually, and our gentle adjustments are tailor-made for each individual.  Our goal is for your atlas alignment to hold for as long as possible so you can achieve relief that is both natural and long lasting.

References:

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 Vestibular system is responsible for balance. That is why a dysfunction with any part of this system, such as the inner ear, can result in issues like vertigo. What is vertigo? It is the sensation that the room is spinning around you or that you are spinning when you are not. Think of how you felt as a kid after someone spun you around for a game a pin the tail on the donkey.

So what can cause vertigo for a person who hasn’t intentionally been spinning around? Consider what may occur when the top two vertebrae become misaligned. Remember that the human head can weigh 10 pounds or more, so a misalignment of the bones that support the head can cause a major shift.

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

Weight Distribution Is Critical

Once such a misalignment has caused an uneven distribution of the weight of the head, the brain gets to work trying to compensate. This process is called the righting reflex. The body does what it has to do to keep the ears and eyes level with the horizon. Unfortunately, the entire body may have to shift things around to make that happen. One result can be undue pressure on parts of the nervous system such as the brainstem. The brainstem is an important part of communication in the vestibular system. That means a misalignment can ultimately cause vertigo simply due to its sensitive location.

Correcting the Underlying Problem of Vertigo

Now for the good news. At Crowder Specific Chiropractic, our specialty is detecting and correcting the exact misalignment in the upper neck that causes problems like vertigo. Through very specific and gentle examinations and corrections, a treatment plan can be prepared for your unique needs.

Once an upper cervical misalignment is corrected, your body can begin to shift back into the proper position. As a result, many have seen a vast improvement in conditions such as vertigo, some even seeing a complete resolution of their symptoms.

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.

Migraines are an extremely common condition, affecting a whopping 38 million men, women, and children in the U.S. alone.  Also it tend to run in families – if one parent is a migraine sufferer, there is a 40% chance that their child will also have migraines.  If both parents are affected, that chance grows to 90%!  Some people may not realize how debilitating can be – they’re not just a really bad headache.  Migraines are often accompanied by extreme sensitivity to light, sound, or smells, as well as nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances.

A recent study showed a possible link between asthma and migraines.  This link may be due to the common theme of inflammation, either of the airways in the case of asthma, or inside the blood vessels in the case of migraines.  Overall, the presence of asthma in a person practically doubled their risk of having chronic migraines – 15 attacks or more on a monthly basis.

What is important to note about the possible correlation between asthma and migraines is the connection of both conditions to the proper function of the nervous system, which is responsible for the control of inflammatory responses in the body.  Interferences in nervous system function can be caused by spinal misalignments, particularly at the level of the brainstem.  The two bones that normally provide protection for the brainstem can misalign as a result of an injury or wear and tear on the spine.  This can put abnormal pressure on the brainstem, disrupting nervous system function, which can be attributed to chronic sufferer.

Crowder Specific we take a natural approach to migraines. We look at the alignment of the vertebrae in the upper neck that protect the brainstem and are able to gently realign them when necessary.  This allows normal neurological function as well as normal blood flow to be restored between the head, neck, and body.  Vital information is carried via the brainstem, and those messages must be conveyed properly in order for the body to function normally and for you to be migraine free.

References:

http://www.migraineresearchfoundation.org/fact-sheet.html

http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/news/20151204/asthma-chronic-migraine-headaches

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.