Many people have been relying on upper cervical chiropractic care for a variety of different conditions for decades. Upper cervical chiropractic spinal corrections have been providing great care for people with many issues, but few know enough about it.
Upper cervical chiropractic is easy to understand once people are given a few minutes of explanation. What’s more exciting is that upper cervical chiropractic can be used to care for so many different conditions.
What is Upper Cervical Chiropractic?
Upper cervical chiropractic is safe and gentle. Upper cervical chiropractors in Southlake focus on the two top vertebrae of the spine, which are also known as the atlas and the axis. First is the axis, and second is the atlas, which like Atlas in Greek mythology, this small bone holds up the head like a giant globe.
The atlas and the axis are responsible for shielding the brain stem. Both of these vertebrae are flexible to adapt to the movements of the neck and head. The brainstem includes the midbrain, medulla oblongata, and the pons. These three sections regulate a myriad of physical processes, including breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
When the axis and the atlas become misaligned or damaged, whether due to injury or a chronic movement, the brain stem can be affected and even squeezed. When the brainstem is affected, a number of different symptoms and ailments can emerge as a result.
Upper cervical chiropractors in Southlake focus only on this targeted area, whereas other upper cervical chiropractors might address the entire spine. Targeting the upper cervical region is believed to be most important because this is the area that deals with the nervous system.
How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Helps Different Conditions
The atlas and the axis are the C1 and C2 vertebrae. These vertebrae provide balance for the neck and head. Any misalignment here can cascade into misaligning the rest of the spine.
Anyone having issues with neck pain in Southlake could benefit from upper cervical chiropractic. In fact, the upper cervical can be used as an alternative or companion to pharmaceuticals and other traditional options. However, it is always necessary to check with your doctor when starting or stopping medications or taking on a new corrective option.
Suffering from neck pain in Southlake could be just one of a constellation of symptoms that begins with the misalignment of your upper cervical spine but is actually leading to much larger health issues that people may not have associated.
Issues that can respond well with upper cervical chiropractic care include allergies and asthma, concussions, depression, fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, migraine headaches, seizure disorders, epilepsy, sleep issues, stress, trigeminal neuralgia, and vertigo. It may be helpful to look even more deeply into how upper cervical chiropractic can help with a few of these.
Allergies and Asthma
While many tend to lump allergies and asthma together, they are not the same condition. Allergies befall those who are sensitive to certain allergens like mold, pollen, animal dander, or dust mites. Often these are seasonal in nature.
However, allergies can make pre-existing asthma much worse as it increases inflammation and can irritate airways.
When the atlas and the axis are not properly aligned, there can be troubles with the brainstem and the nervous system, which spread throughout the body. One of the areas that can be affected by an upper cervical misalignment is the respiratory system.
Those who receive upper cervical chiropractic corrections can see real recovery to the point of becoming symptom-free.
Concussions
Of course, when a person is in an accident and hits their head, they can predict that there will be some fallout. However, many do not realize that they have a concussion or have had one in the past.
What’s more, even when people are treated for their concussion, they might not realize that there was an injury to the neck that should also be addressed. Living with an untreated neck injury – however minor – can leave lasting symptoms until the issue is resolved.
Upper cervical chiropractors will address neck and head pain in Southlake by stabilizing and balancing the neck so that the brain-body connection is not interrupted.
Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders are incredibly common and incredibly numerous, with seventy known classifications. Insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and narcolepsy can all be improved with upper cervical care.
Whether due to head pain in Southlake, Texas, stress, or otherwise, dealing with a sleep disorder can massively disrupt a person’s life. Losing sleep can mean a lack of focus at work, increased stress, mental health issues, blood sugar spikes, and poor dietary choices, as well as taking a stress toll on virtually every part of the body.
When the upper cervical spine is misaligned, the brain stem cannot function properly and is unable to regulate the processes initiated in the pons. The brain and body need a regular sleep cycle with a REM sleep period (or dream cycle).
Misalignments in the vertebrae surrounding the brain stem can arise from bumps or falls, emotional stress, accidents, or even at birth.
Stress
While sleep disorders are huge, stress is considered to be one of the biggest “silent killers,” affecting millions in America and directly leading to many preventable heart attack deaths every day.
Stress is regulated by many parts of the brain, including the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
Upper cervical chiropractors will help align the vertebrae so that the vagus nerve is uninhibited. When the vagus nerve is in a good state, it can prevent and reduce inflammation and maintain bodily functions. When the body is in good working order, its inner relaxation responses are activated, and the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems can find equilibrium.
Anyone coping with head pain in Southlake could benefit from some upper cervical chiropractic care. Ensuring the brain stem is not being pressed on or encumbered can have positive effects on all parts of the body and brain. Whether a person has allergies and asthma, concussions, stress, sleep disorders, or high blood pressure, it may benefit them to seek out an upper cervical chiropractor in their area.