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1502 W. University Drive #107 | Mckinney, Texas 75069
We blame cigarettes for just about every other health ailment, so why not neck pain? The fact is that researchers have recently studied this topic and revealed that the spine, especially the upper cervical spine, is adversely affected by a smoking habit. Here are the results of the study.
182 patients were given CT scans to determine the degree of upper cervical degeneration. For the sake of the study, the discs between neck vertebrae were each given a score from 0 to 3 based on the amount of degeneration (0 being none and 3 being severe). That allowed researchers to score a person’s cervical neck on a scale of 0 to 15 in total. Considerations in the study included whether a person presently smoked, the amount smoked per day, and the number of years the smoking habit existed.
Individuals who were currently smokers scored one point higher in degeneration of the cervical spine on average. The length of time smoking didn’t seem to be a factor when age was also considered. This means that presently being a smoker has the most profound effect on the degeneration of a person’s neck. It provides smokers with one more good reason to quit.
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.
If the cervical spine is allowed to continue degenerating, the result can be spinal arthritis and chronic neck pain. Other potential outcomes from upper cervical problems include headaches, dizziness, and various other symptoms. Two things that you can do to improve upper cervical health are giving up the practice of smoking and seeing a chiropractor who specializes in this part of the neck.
Upper cervical chiropractors use a specific method to diagnose the position of a misalignment and correct it with minimal force. This results in a long-lasting correction that gives the body a chance to heal. You can’t get back the part of a disc that has been lost, but keeping the neck in proper alignment may slow the degeneration process and keep chronic pain at bay.
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.
If you are a regular migraine sufferer, you might be aware of the telltale signs that an attack is right around the corner. If your head pain come less frequently, then you may not realize that there are a series of events that may happen in the hours, or sometimes even days, leading up to a migraine episode. Learning to recognize these signs, and perhaps what might be triggering them, can be helpful in defending yourself against future attacks:
All of these potential symptoms make up what’s called the prodrome phase of a migraine. The prodrome phase can also be referred to as the preheadache or premonitory phase – a sign of what is to come. It is estimated that about 30 to 40% of sufferers experience the prodrome phase, but it is also believed that this estimate is on the low side.
There is still some level of mystery surrounding the exact mechanism by which migraines occur. In some research, migraines are considered a neurological headache and in others a vascular condition. Regardless of a migraine’s origins, getting relief is often the number one priority for sufferers. Most of the treatment options available are symptom-based, meaning that they are designed to relieve certain aspects of a migraine episode, such as the headache or nausea.
For people seeking out an approach that is natural, effective, and meant to last, upper cervical chiropractic care might be a great option. Upper cervical chiropractic care influences both the nervous system and the vascular system by finding areas of spinal misalignment that are impeding the body’s ability to function optimally.
More specifically we look at the atlas vertebra, the uppermost one in the neck, because of its ability to affect the brainstem – a critical part of our central nervous system. At Crowder Specific Chiropractic, we see many people’s reduce in frequency or severity, or even resolve completely when this stress on the nervous system is removed with a gentle and precise atlas adjustment. If you’re tired of dealing with head pain and feel like you’ve tried everything else, let us see if we can help you!
References:
http://www.achenet.org/resources/migraine_attack_the_four_phases/
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.
Meniere’s disease is a problem of the inner ear and is known for the following combination of symptoms:
The pathways of the inner ear are lined with sensors that react to the fluid within the ear. If the amount, the pressure, or the chemicals involved are disrupted in any way, the result can be Meniere’s disease.
An exact cause for Meniere’s disease is yet to be discovered. However, the Tech Times recently published information that indicates that a cause may have been found. Studies that are being conducted in Colorado point to a connection between Meniere’s disease and other medical conditions that cause the flow of blood to be reduced to the brain, such as migraines.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
At Crowder Specific Chiropractic, we understand the importance of a healthy upper neck and a healthy, properly functioning body. The bones located at the top of the spine just below the skull need to be aligned properly in order for proper blood flow to enter and exit the brain. Misalignments in this area can have a huge impact on brainstem function and circulation of blood to the neck and head.
We use a unique method to analyze the neck of our patients and then correct any misalignments we may find. We do not pop or twist the spine but use a gentle technique that helps the upper neck vertebrae to realign themselves naturally. This allows them to stay in alignment longer than what is achieved with traditional chiropractic care. As a result, the body has a greater opportunity to heal.
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.
If you’re an adult who has ever experienced the pain of a migraine, you know just how terrible it can be. As adults, we are able to communicate these issues, call out from work if necessary, and perhaps take some time to lie down in a dark, quiet room to try and sleep it off. But, what happens when migraines occur in kids? This actually happens more often than you might think. According to the Migraine Research Foundation, half of all sufferers have their first attack before their 12th birthday. Research has also shown that approximately 60% of kids who suffer from migraines will continue to have attacks past the age of 30.
When it comes to caring for children, many parents are actively seeking out natural alternatives. Traditional migraine treatments, for both adults and children, rely heavily upon medications. These medications are aimed at relieving the various symptoms of a migraine episode, including nausea, and the pain of the headache itself. These medications are great at providing temporary relief, but they don’t come without risk, and they, unfortunately, do nothing to address the root cause of the condition.
More and more parents are bringing their children into our practice for upper cervical chiropractic care because of our gentle and specific approach. We specialize in assessing and correcting misalignments of the topmost vertebra of the spine. It’s especially important to have children who suffer from migraines checked for this type of misalignment. When the atlas misaligns, it can compromise normal blood flow between the head and neck, and can interfere with normal brain-body communication, leading to headaches and migraines. Because of the shape and biomechanics of the atlas vertebra, it is particularly susceptible to misaligning. Because kids will be kids, falls on the playground and injuries on the sports field can be to blame.
If your child is suffering from migraines and you’re looking for a natural solution, then upper cervical chiropractic may be exactly what you’re looking for. Restoring normal atlas alignment and normal body function with a specific, gentle atlas correction can be the key to reducing or even eliminating migraines for good.
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.
