Guest Blog-Alison Bremner: Concussions in youth

Welcome our guest Alison Bremner from Atlas Chiropractic of Boulder, CO. She is sharing her thoughts on Concussions leading to headaches and neck pain in youth.

“Concussion is one of the most common athletic injuries in the United States and is a growing concern among children and young adults”, says a study published in the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy.

Concussions are cumulative on the body, which means that if you have more than one concussion, the negative effects compound on each other. So if children and youth are getting concussions at a young age and are susceptible to getting more, the situation becomes more and more dangerous. Children with concussions usually complain of having long-lasting headaches, neck pain, and dizziness. If these symptoms are not treated immediately, there could be serious long-term effects.

A concussion is quite complex, and there are many physical and physiological factors that come into play. While a concussion is usually caused by a head or neck injury, it is actually more of a brain injury. Most lingering concussion symptoms occur because of not getting proper treatment to address the soft tissue and neurological damage that occurs during a concussion. 

According to the study done by Tiwari and Yorke, in any given year, 43,200 to 67,200 of the 1.2 million total high school football players in the U.S. sustain concussions. Those ages 15-19 are the most at risk with higher caliber sports. “Of the 502,000 children and adolescents diagnosed with a concussion, 35% of them were estimated to fall between the ages of 8-13 years old.”

Post-concussion symptoms have been reported with 92% of athletes experiencing headaches, 90% experiencing neck pain, and 69% experiencing dizziness.  (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6449018/)

Concussions and the upper neck

The most common way people sustain concussions are from sports injuries or car accidents. The mechanism of injury is not just affecting the brain, but it is also causing damage to the soft tissue in the neck. The most vulnerable spot in your neck that is the most affected is the upper cervical region, also known as the cranio-cervical junction. This is the very top of your neck and it is made up of your skull, atlas, and axis bones.

This region is so incredible and flexible in order to provide wide ranges of movement of the head. When you nod your head up and down or shake your head side to side, there are so many muscles and ligaments working together to allow this fluid motion. Alot of this motion comes from the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) bones. These are the first two bones in the top of your neck.

Unlike the rest of the vertebrae in your spine, there is no interlocking mechanism of the atlas and axis. In other words, they are unique because they are only held together by soft tissue in order to provide this flexibility and movement. This delicate area is very vulnerable to impact or trauma.

Additionally in order for your brain to heal from a concussion, there must be proper flow of blood and cerebrospinal fluid to and from the brain. Those fluids function as a cleaning system, and your brain is flushed and cleansed when you are asleep. Proper drainage of these fluids and byproducts of brain function are essential to healing, and the drainage from the brain happens through the upper cervical spine. If there is damage to the upper cervical spine, it can create a black flow or congestion of fluid, preventing proper drainage and healing around the brain. If this congestion is present for a long time, there can be severe long-term damage to the brain in the future.

The upper cervical spine benefits from a specialist to truly examine the alignment and understand what is going on in that region. Assessing the cranio-cervical junction is an essential step in healing from a concussion.

How upper cervical chiropractic can help

An upper cervical chiropractor specializes in this top region of the neck. They are experts in understanding the mechanics of the skull, atlas, and axis, known as the cranio-cervical junction. If a child or adolescent endures a head or neck injury, especially after a concussion, it’s important to have their neck evaluated by an upper cervical chiropractor to ensure that their brain can properly heal. 

Taking your child to see an upper cervical chiropractor if they play contact sports or following a concussion will get them on the best road to recovery. It is a safe, gentle procedure that realigns the top of the neck so that the brain can heal properly. There is no twisting or cracking done, and the adjustment is very effective. The sooner this treatment is sought out, the quicker your child will be feeling better and getting back to their normal routines without headaches, neck pain, or dizziness. 

It is very common to experience headaches, neck pain, or dizziness following a concussion. Catching these symptoms early and seeking care from an upper cervical chiropractor is the best decision you can make for your child in treating these symptoms.

Tiwari D, Goldberg A, Yorke A, Marchetti GF, Alsalaheen B. CHARACTERIZATION OF CERVICAL SPINE IMPAIRMENTS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS POST-CONCUSSION. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2019 Apr;14(2):282-295. PMID: 30997280; PMCID: PMC6449018.

If you are interested in an evaluation from one of our doctors, please contact us, or an Upper Cervical Chiropractor in your area, today.

Severe Headaches helped with Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

Ashley was having multiple headaches per week and severe migraines a few times per month. In 3.5 months she has stopped taking daily Tylenol and Advil and is feeling great. 

Headaches are really common, so many people have them, but they are not normal!  Symptoms are simply a red flag that something in your body is not functioning properly.  Get to the root cause and find out how to make your body a better place to live! 

If you or someone you know suffers with headaches or migraines, Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care may be a solution. Call us to make an appointment today! 603-280-9184

Concussion & Whiplash • Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

Wondering why your concussion symptoms are lingering? The upper cervical spine, or upper neck could be the missing piece for your recovery.

When concussion symptoms last longer than the normal course of recovery, patients are then diagnosed with Post Concussion syndrome (PCS). Approximately 15 % of patients with a concussion will go on suffer from Post Concussion Syndrome.

If you or someone you know has had a concussion and is now dealing with long term symptoms, please call the office today to find more information on how we can help.

603-380-9184

Concussion, Post Concussion Syndrome and the Neck

Concussions, or mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI), are caused by either a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This rapid movement stretches and bruises the brain and causes chemical changes, resulting in a temporary loss of normal brain function.

When concussion symptoms last longer than the normal course of recovery, patients are then diagnosed with Post Concussion syndrome (PCS). Approximately 15 % of patients with a concussion will go on suffer from Post Concussion Syndrome.

So why do some patients recover from concussion and others go on to have long term symptoms? One cause could be stemming from the neck. When there is significant impact or sudden acceleration/deceleration of the head, a whiplash affect also occurs in the neck. Whiplash causes damage to the tissues that hold the neck together, resulting in misalignment of the spine.

If you or someone you know has had a concussion and is now dealing with long term symptoms, please call the office today to find more information on how we can help.

603-380-9184

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a hereditary disorder that effects the connective tissue of the body, most commonly the skin and the joints. Classical signs of EDS are hyper-flexible joints and stretchy, fragile skin. However other areas of the body can be affected as well.

The upper cervical spine, or upper neck, is a very unique and important area of the spine. The upper neck is held together by mainly tendons and ligaments (connective tissue), which is what allows the neck to be so mobile. This area is also the transition between the skull and the spine. Every message, to and from the brain, must pass through the upper neck. When there is misalignment at this transition point, the messages passing through are interrupted.

EDS causes the tendons and ligaments of the upper neck to become loose and unstable, and therefore more prone to misalignment. Upper Cervical Chiropractic is a specific and gentle way to correct misalignment in the upper neck. By restoring proper alignment, messages can then pass through, allowing the body to function to the best of its ability. At Areté Chiropractic we are experts in evaluating for misalignment within the upper neck and correcting it in a safe and gentle manor.

If you or someone you know is affected by EDS and can benefit from the care that we provide, please call the office today to schedule your initial consultation.

603-380-9184

Chronic migraines helped with Upper Cervical Care

Liz has been under upper cervical care for about 6 months now and in this testimonial video she will share her journey so far.

Chronic Migraine headaches are caused by many different factors. An important factor is the relationship between chronic migraine headaches and the upper neck. Specifically how the base of your skull connects to the top couple of vertebrae in the cervical spine. C1 and C2, or Atlas and Axis, as they are called, are the most freely moving vertebra in the entire spine. This gives us a great range of motion in our neck but also means that when the body has trauma, it is an area that is likely to mis-align. A misalignment at the skull base interferes with nerve pathways, blood flow, and cerebrospinal fluid flow. Compromise to any of these systems can result in the symptoms of migraine headaches. At Areté Chiropractic we are experts in evaluating the alignment of the head and neck and how that affects spinal health and body balance. If a misalignment in the C1-C2 vertebra is a contributing factor to migraine headache, then reducing or correcting that misalignment will make a significant difference in how your body functions. We can often help people's bodies function better with less symptoms, or even recover completely.

ARETE CHIROPRACTIC

Call us now at 603.380.9184

Innovative treatment relief for migraines and headaches with Upper Cervical Care

Nearly everyone has had headache pain, and most of us have had it many times. In fact, headaches and migraines affect 38 million people in the United States and is a leading cause of disability. The disease can be managed, but there is no cure, and many medications used to treat migraine have disabling side effects. Patients often prefer to avoid daily medication and seek nonpharmacologic options, including complementary and integrative therapies. Although migraine is a disease with multivariate symptoms that vary by patient, over 75% of migraine patients report associated neck pain, and many note musculoskeletal complaints, such as neck stiffness, muscle tension, or problems with jaw function. Most common triggers include:

• Genetics: When studies are done on twins, there is as much as a 51 percent likelihood that they will both develop migraines. This is more likely in those with aura than those without. 

• Triggers: Migraines often begin with triggers. Things like food, exhaustion, and weather have been known to trigger headaches. In fact, the majority of people who have migraines report having triggers as well. The trigger can occur as many as 24 hours before the migraine hits.

• Physiological characteristics: Psychological stress has been reported to be a trigger for migraines in as many as 80 percent of the cases. Other things associated with migraines are PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), abuse, menstruation, oral contraceptive use, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause.

• Dietary considerations: As many as 60 percent of people say they have food triggers. Some report such things as aged cheeses, red wine, chocolate, alcohol, MSG, too much or too little caffeine, and aspartame as possible triggers. However, no substantial evidence exists to prove this. 

• Environmental features: Such things as changes in weather, barometric pressure, allergies, bright sunlight, lightning, and indoor air quality are potential triggers for some migraine sufferers.

It is most likely that migraines start with a neurovascular disorder that begins in the brain and spreads to the blood vessels. The central nervous system is definitely a contributing factor, along with brainstem malfunction. Can anything be done to alleviate migraine pain? An innovative treatment using The Blair Upper Cervical Care method focuses on treating the underlying problem that causes migraines and headaches. 

The missing factor: The Upper Neck 

Chronic Migraine headaches are caused by many different factors. An important factor is the relationship between chronic migraine headaches and the upper neck. Specifically how the base of your skull connects to the top couple of vertebrae in the cervical spine. C1 and C2, or Atlas and Axis, as they are called, are the most freely moving vertebra in the entire spine. This gives us a great range of motion in our neck but also means that when the body has trauma, it is an area that is likely to mis-align. A misalignment at the skull base interferes with nerve pathways, blood flow, and cerebrospinal fluid flow. Compromise to any of these systems can result in the symptoms of migraine headaches. At Areté Chiropractic we are experts in evaluating the alignment of the head and neck and how that affects spinal health and body balance. If a misalignment in the C1-C2 vertebra is a contributing factor to migraine headache, then reducing or correcting that misalignment will make a significant difference in how your body functions. We can often help people's bodies function better with less symptoms, or even recover completely.

A Study Gives Hope for Migraine Relief

In 2012, the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine relayed the findings of a study that involved a woman suffering from migraines and tremors. They were observing how the Blair technique, a specific type of upper cervical adjustment given by upper cervical chiropractors, would impact her health.

The woman was 39 years old and was having a migraine as many as 2 or 3 times a week. She had a history of having migraines since she was 10 years old. Her family doctor prescribed various medications —  acetaminophen, sumatriptan, Isometheptene, dichloralphenazone, propranolol, and numerous other over-the-counter pain medications — to no avail. While they gave her some relief, it was only temporary at best. 

She agreed to give upper cervical chiropractic care a try. She received specific adjustments to her upper cervical spine, specifically the C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis) bones of the upper neck. After her very first adjustment, she noticed that her migraines and tremors were both improved! She continued seeing good results over the next four months. 

The headache disability scale was used in her evaluation. This is a scale using 1 – 100 points (52 for emotional and 48 for functional disability) to indicate how much damage the headache being endured is causing in one’s life. The higher the score, the greater the disability. These were her results before having her adjustment by the chiropractor:

• Total: 68/100

• Emotional: 28/52

• Functional: 32/48

After four months of care, she was re-evaluated and these were her new scores:

• Total: 14/100

• Emotional: 4/52

• Functional: 10/48

This is truly good news if you suffer from migraines!

What is Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care? 

Upper Cervical Chiropractic spinal corrections provide relief to millions of migraine sufferers by releasing pressure and stress from the spine and nervous system. Research from 2015 showed that people who received upper cervical manual adjustments reduced their drug consumption by 80%, lowered days of migraines per month by 97%, and experienced an amazing decrease in pain and functional disability associated with migraines by 100%. 

Nutrition, stress, hormones, and other lifestyle factors also play a role in the intensity and extent of migraines. The core of all of these factors connects to the role of the central nervous system. The brain and nervous system direct the control and function of the entire body. Chiropractors assess and address specific areas of function in the nervous system through appropriate care of the spine. Every Upper Cervical Chiropractic adjustment helps improve communication between the brain and the body, reducing stress from the central nervous system. 

Five lifestyle tips to address the cause of migraine headaches:

1) Chiropractic adjustments to correct spinal alignment and pressure in the upper neck

2) Remove dietary neurotoxins (artificial colors, sweeteners, and preservatives)

3) Increase water intake

4) Increase high quality sleep

5) Engage in regular body movement through exercise and increased heart rate

WHY MEDICATION IS OFTEN INEFFECTIVE FOR CHRONIC MIGRAINES

While medication may temporarily help with the symptoms of a migraine, there is no miracle pill that will stop the next migraine from occurring. Plus, many medications can produce more headaches when taken frequently and for long periods of time. The result is a cycle where one medication is taken to deal with migraine headache pain until it begins causing them and then the medication is switched, and the process starts again.

Other treatments involve dangerous Botox injections or a journal in which you record foods, activities, etc. to determine potential migraine triggers and avoid them. Are you tired of the run-around, the trial and error, and the side effects?

UPPER CERVICAL CARE FOR MIGRAINES

Using the Blair technique, we locate and correct very specific misalignments of the upper neck. Such misalignments can result in reduced blood and cerebrospinal fluid flow to the brain. They can also affect communication in the body by placing pressure on the brainstem, as well as creating muscle tension and joint dysfunction. Once these issues are relieved through an adjustment, healing can begin.

So, if you or someone you know suffers from migraines, Upper Cervical Chiropractic care may be a very helpful tool to regain quality of life and function. Call our office today to find out more or to schedule an Initial Consultation today. 

603-380-9184

Arete Chiropractic | Best Chiropractor Award | 2020 Best of the Seacoast

Every year the Best of the Seacoast awards the best businesses in the community and Arete Chiropractic was awarded the 2020 Best Chiropractor award! 

We love being part of the Seacoast community and providing excellent Upper Cervical Chiropractic care to those suffering from neck pain, headaches, concussion, whiplash injuries, back pain and MORE. 

Thank you to everyone who voted for us.

Upper Cervical Chiropractor of the Year: Tyler Evans BS, DC, DCCJP

Dr. Tyler Evans is the owner of Arete Chiropractic an Upper Cervical Blair practice along with his wife Dr. Mychal Beebe in Portsmouth, New Hampshire since 2016, prior to which he worked as the Associate Clinical Director of CLEAR Chiropractic in Kirkland Washington.  He graduated with his BS in Biology from Ball State University in 2007, Proceeded to pursue his Chiropractic Degree from Life Chiropractic College West, and graduated in 2011.  He was also a member of the inaugural DCCJP class, completing that course in 2015.

When opening their practice in New Hampshire, Dr. Evans and Beebe became one of the earliest upper cervical offices to move to CBCT as their primary imaging for the UC region, and have led the charge towards a better understanding of 3D imaging of the CCJ and wider acceptance of this imaging modality on a state and educational level.  Dr. Evans is a regular presenter on CBCT imaging, dose, and usage at numerous Chiropractic Colleges and Societies. 

He has chaired the ICA UCC Committee for UC Standards of Care since 2017 and has been a director with the Upper Cervical Council since 2019.

Whiplash injuries from low speed rear-end car accidents

Do low speed car accidents cause headaches, neck pain, and other symptoms? We find the answer in this paper titled “Do “whiplash injuries” occur in low-speed rear impacts?”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9455663/

Many young drivers who are learning to drive end up having a car accident by the time they are in their mid 20’s. By the time we are in our 40s-50’s, most of us have had at least one fender bender. This paper, done by the European Spine Society, draws attention to rear-end accidents in Europe, showing that they can cause symptoms of whiplash associated disorders like: headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, arm pain, numbness or tingling, TMJ/TMD, ringing in the ears and hand or wrist pain. What’s important and different is that low speed accidents (10-15 km/h or 6-9 m/hr) have a large enough impact to the soft tissue in the neck, that it can cause long term effects.

We see this play out every day in our office. I ask, “have you had any serious head or neck injuries?” and many times the answer is, “no, not really. I’ve had a few fender benders but we were going really slowly" and they describe an accident at 30 m/hr or lower. I then let them know that is enough to cause soft tissue damage to the tendons, ligaments, nerves, and muscles, even though they may not have symptoms right away and just brushed it off as nothing. We see people come into our office 5 to 10 years later experiencing pain and symptoms that resulted from those accumulated traumas as things start to break down.

For some, this then starts to make sense as to why they are feeling structurally “not right”. We hear it every day and people are looking for answers. Most of the time they are not given answers as to why they feel pain or why they don’t feel as well as they used to. This is a perfect example of how, as Chiropractors, we are trained to look past the symptoms and look for the CAUSES.

Unfortunately, we can’t magic wand away a life time of minor accidents and injuries to the head and neck, but we can restore the proper alignment to the joints. In whiplash injuries, one of the main problems that needs to be addressed is the misalignment of the vertebra, which is a core issue that upper cervical chiropractors work to address. We get to the source of the problem by correcting the upper neck, which is the most prone to accidents like low speed rear-end impacts.

So if you know of someone that has had a rear-end impact and is struggling with whiplash associated symptoms, like headaches and neck pain, get them in touch with our office and we can get to the bottom of what is going on.

Call our office at 603.380.9184

Cone Beam CT 3D Imaging and Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

Cone beam CT is a revolutionary technology that is bringing 3D analysis of the head and neck to local dentists and doctors across the globe. Today we review an article published in in 2017 titled Cone beam computed tomography: basics and application in dentistry.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5750833/#:~:text=The%20introduction%20of%20cone%20beam,compared%20to%20medical%20computed%20tomography

One of the first things we do in our office is determine if a client is a good candidate for what we do by testing the Upper Cervical spine to see if the tests indicate a misalignment of the vertebra. Once we determine that there is a misalignment in the upper neck, we then want to see that misalignment in the best detail possible. In the past we had used 2D xrays to develop an idea of what the factors of tilt translation and rotation may be occurring in the upper neck. Over the last few years, Cone Beam CT has been introduced into the Upper Cervical profession as a means to get that 3D view of the upper neck with the same radiation dose or less than using 2D xrays.

When correcting the upper neck we always want to look at the vertebra before we do a correction as the upper neck is the most commonly malformed joint in the spine, and moves in a much more complicated way than the rest of the spine. On top of all of this, the upper neck houses the autonomic control centers, as well as the brain stem, which drive most basic functions. With all of this in mind we want to measure very carefully and precisely how the upper neck has abnormally been positioned, to correct it back to a more normal position, without any twisting or popping.

Cone beam CT gives us 3D pictures with the same or less dose of radiation, which we know to be far less than any recorded harmful dose, as well as at least ten times less than a traditional cervical medical CT. It also takes much less time than xray because we need less set-up and less positioning to get all the info we need. The scans can take a minimum of less than one minute where Xray set-ups can take up to 20 minutes of the patient's and the doctor's time.

The resolution of the 3D structures is also much better then 2D. In 2D xrays we would try to visualize structures with two or three different views of the same area however, with CBCT we are looking at the same structure with spatial relativity and resolution that is unmatched in any 2D pictures.

If you or someone you know has been frustrated with issues stemming from the head or neck, it might be time to get checked by an Upper Cervical Chiropractor and have an upper cervical chiropractor use CBCT to evaluate the alignment of the upper neck. Call our office today for more information and to schedule your Initial Consultation

603-380-9184

Migraines reduced with upper cervical chiropractic care

If you or someone you know suffers from chronic Migraines, getting checked by an Upper Cervical Chiropractor may help reduce migraine symptoms and migraine frequency. Today we review The NUCCA Migraine study that followed 11 migraine patients over 8 weeks who clearly noted reduced symptoms and reduced frequency. Here is a link to the study:

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2015/630472/

We will review the study to highlight why this might be the case. As stated before, if you or someone you know suffers from migraines call our office today to find out more.

603.380.9184

The focus of this study is to show a possible connection to relief for migraine sufferers, and an increase in intracranial compliance. First we describe briefly what that means. Intracranial compliance means the ability of fluid to enter and escape the brain safely, like: arterial, venous, and Cerebrospinal fluid. The skull may be thought of as a pressurized vault that fluid is constantly pumped into and out of at a perfect balance. If the balance is disrupted it can cause issues that impede the brain's ability to function properly. Migraines may be a result of this issue as well as a whole host of other neurodegenerative disorders.

After eight weeks 5 of 11 patients showed a significant increase in intracranial compliance and all 11 showed significant reductions in symptoms and frequency of symptoms. This is thought to have happened by balancing the gateway at the base of the skull where fluid travels in and out of the skull. The top two vertebra of the spine have been shown to influence the fluid balances in the brain, as well as the nerve signals in and out of the brain. So, if you or someone you know is suffers from migraines, Upper Cervical Chiropractic care may be a very helpful tool to regain quality of life and function. Call our office today to find out more or to schedule an Initial Consultation today.

603-380-9184

Depression and Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

Did you know that depression can be helped by Upper Cervical Chiropractic care? Today we are reviewing a paper titled “Depression and the craniocervical junction; a look at the hemispheric model”

http://www.hoajonline.com/neuroscience/2052-6946/8/1

Upper Cervical Chiropractors show a statically significant improvement in patients suffering with depression. If you or someone you know suffers from depression, getting checked by an upper cervical chiropractor may be a great next step to better health. Give our office a call today for more information. 603.380.9184

7.1% of the US population suffers from one bought of depression a year, which is roughly 17 million Americans. This subset of afflicted people should be made aware of the potential health benefits of getting the upper cervical spine corrected. In this paper we discuss how an adjustment to one of the top two neck bones creates a positive change in the function of the opposite side of the brain that was adjusted. The Depressive state has been known to be a deficiency of function in the left hemisphere, and overactivity of the right. So the Doctors observed a greater mental health change in those that got adjusted on the right side of the brain, therefore an increased function of the left hemisphere, and a more balanced brain. But the Doctors also saw a positive outcome with depression in those that were adjusted on the left side because, as we know, when we adjust the upper neck it helps the entire brain function better as well as the rest of the body.

So if you know of someone that has been struggling with depression let them know they don’t have to suffer. Upper Cervical Chiropractic care may be a significant help! Call our office to find out more today

603.380.9184

Dizziness and midback tension helped with Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

Alissa came into our office a few weeks ago and really was looking for wellness care but she had a chronic persistent dizziness and would have spots of light appear in her vision (often called "flashers") that would occur after looking down and to the right. That is called Cervicogenic Vertigo. After one correction to her neck, her symptoms are 98% better. With the added benefit of less midback tension. All from a correction to the upper neck!

If you or someone you know struggles with Vertigo and flashers, let them know that Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care has been shown to help! Feel free to check out our website for more information about what we do or give the office a call to set up an Initial Consultation.

Arete Chiropractic in Portsmouth NH.

603.380.9184

www.aretechiro.com

25 min video on Stress Management and next online workshop

In the words of the amazing Brene Brown: 

1. “Hitting the Wall” is real
2.  Hard days suck
3. There is nothing wrong with us 
4.  We are going to be OK! 

We have noticed an increasing number of patients reporting symptoms related to chronic stress.  Above and beyond a patient’s typical problems we are noticing:  Increased fatigue, insomnia, digestive problems, anxiety and depression.  

Chronic Stress is a very real and debilitating condition.  According to a study from 1998 in the New England Journal of Medicine by McEwen et al.

“Over time, allostatic load can accumulate, and the overexposure to neural, endocrine, and immune stress mediators can have adverse effects on various organ systems, leading to disease.”

Diseases that are directly linked to stress include: atherosclerosis, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, abdominal obesity, loss of mineralization of the bone, immunosuppression, and alteration in brain function, especially that of the prefrontal cortex which is our areas of executive functioning and decision making. 

Stress shows up in Physical, Emotional and Behavioral patterns.  This 25 minute workshop will give you the top tips to manage your stress levels. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18wcrSVsd1Y

Staying at home tips: How to use K-Tape for mid back pain

With the COVID-19 stay home recommendations many people had to drastically change their routine and ergonomics. A lot of patients are asking us how they can support their body from home when coming in the office is not available.

We decided to make some videos with tips on how to support your alignment and help manage symptoms from home. Dr. Castro will explain on the video below how to use K-Tape to help minimize mid back pain.

Kinesio Taping Method was developed by a Chiropractor in the 1970’s and it is designed to provide support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body’s natural ranges of motion.

Staying at home tips: How to use K-Tape for Lower Back pain

With the COVID-19 stay home recommendations many people had to drastically change their routine and ergonomics. A lot of patients are asking us how they can support their body from home when coming in the office is not available.

We decided to make some videos with tips on how to support your alignment and help manage symptoms from home. Dr. Castro will explain on the video below how to use K-Tape to help minimize Lower back pain.

Kinesio Taping Method was developed by a Chiropractor in the 1970’s and it is designed to provide support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body’s natural ranges of motion.

Staying at home tips: How to use K-Tape for neck pain

With the COVID-19 stay home recommendations many people had to drastically change their routine and ergonomics. A lot of patients are asking us how they can support their body from home when coming in the office is not available.

We decided to make some videos with tips on how to support your alignment and help manage symptoms from home. Dr. Castro will explain on the video below how to use K-Tape to help minimize neck pain.

Kinesio Taping Method was developed by a Chiropractor in the 1970’s and it is designed to provide support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body’s natural ranges of motion.

Neck Pain and How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Can Help

Neck pain is the fourth leading cause of disability in the US with an annual prevalence of over 30%. So today we are discussing the ins and outs of that pain in your neck! The papers we are reviewing are Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Neck Pain https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25659245 and Neck pain and disability outcomes following chiropractic upper cervical care: a retrospective case series https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2732255/. 

The first paper discusses the ins and outs of how neck pain affects the population and what is generally done about it. We know that neck pain affects roughly 2 in 5 people at any given time. And that 50% of those people will continue to experience some form of pain or discomfort ongoing in the neck. In patients with neurological implications, meaning the spinal cord is affected, or the nerve roots are affected, then surgery can be effective at relieving pain in the short term, but not long term for most. There is a general pattern that females of mid age tend to have more neck pain than males because their neck structure is different, especially when it comes to whiplash and concussions in Motor Vehicle Accidents and sports injuries. If you add to that stress of life and poor postures from sitting at desk jobs, these are the common occurrences and progenitors for neck problems. If you or someone you know fits this description, give our office a call at 603.380.9184.

It is important to have a thorough history and physical exam to determine the best course of action. In an Upper Cervical Chiropractic office, the doctor will go through your health history, when your pain started, what might have caused it, and what might be exacerbating it. The final piece is quality and quantity measurement of the pain and whether it is mechanical or neurological in nature. If there is spinal cord or nerve pressure, that is a very different form of pain than facet mechanical pain or disc pain from an injury to the surrounding tissue. Mechanical pain will tend to present in a more targeted area and neurological pain will tend to shoot down an extremity.  Differentiating this heavily affects outcomes and can determine prognosis. 

An important point to make is that 40-75% percent of patients with disc herniations will have resorption occur without treatment. So if surgery is something that is being considered, the pros and cons should be heavily weighed as the symptoms may resolve anyway. If that’s the case, why not try more conservative, non-invasive treatments first? One study showed that spinal manipulation, and exercise fared better than medicinal treatment over a 12-month process. One of our mentor’s even published a paper on gentle Upper Cervical Chiropractic care and neck pain and found that with an average of 13.6 days, 5.7 office visits, and 2.7 upper cervical adjustments, patients had a statistically significant reduction in neck pain with no serious or adverse outcomes. This would suggest that before going to a more aggressive treatment like injections, drugs, or surgery that one should weigh all the options, including gentle upper cervical chiropractic care.

In conclusion, the paper states that the prevalence of disability of neck pain is high and deserves attention, as it can last for long periods. Even though it may resolve, it can drastically reduce quality of life. If you or someone you know suffers from neck pain, give us a call to find out more about gentle Upper Cervical Chiropractic care. Call us today at 603.380.9184

TMD and Jaw Pain Helped with Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

Do you know of someone that suffers from chronic jaw pain or Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD)? Did you know that chiropractic care has been shown to help relieve and reduce the symptoms of TMD by balancing the head-to-jaw-to-neck relationship? Today we are reviewing a paper that is a retrospective case series of 14 patients that all showed a reduction of symptoms of TMD. The paper is titled Chiropractic Treatment of Temporomandibular Dysfunction: A Retrospective Case Series. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4688559/pdf/main.pdf

If you or someone you know suffers from TMD Upper Cervical Chiropractic can help! Give our office a call to find out more… 603.380.9184

Why would chiropractic care be able to help someone with TMD? Well, TMD may present as one of the following: Pain in the TMJ or in the muscles of the jaw, audible popping and clicking of the jaw, and by an aberrant movement of the jaw as it opens and closes. As chiropractors, we are aligning the joints of the neck to balance the Cervical vertebra so that the head sits more level on the neck. This relieves tension in the neck as well as in the jaw and head as they are all related. We also gently work to balance the jaw joint back into its proper position by analyzing the way the disc in the jaw is sitting and correcting that back to relieve tension and pressure. When the cervical vertebra and the disc in the jaw are back in their normal position, this proper alignment releases tension out of the muscles and the jaw tracks better in the closed-to-open and opened-to-closed positions. 

If the jaw isn’t balanced properly it can cause headaches, neck pain, and dizziness. In this study 14 patients were shown to have an average reduction of symptoms by 80% in 14 visits. If you or someone you know suffers from TMD and the effects of jaw dysfunction, give our office a call to find out more. 

603.380.9184