Objective

To discover if a relationship exists with upper cervical injuries and neurological problems such as trigeminal neuralgia, frequent headaches, neck and low back pain in a 48 year old female. Also to determine if an upper cervical correction may be a viable means of caring for such neurological issues.

Although upper cervical care does not claim to be a cure for any single health problem or concern, it’s effects are seen generally and many people have overcome their health struggles with the help of upper cervical care. Upper Cervical Care is a unique form of chiropractic that helps people with common and uncommon health conditions be able to return to their normal life without the use of drugs or surgery.  Because upper cervical care revolves around the proper alignment of the head and neck, and eliminating interference on the nervous system, the improvements are seen in the whole body.

Clinical Findings

A 48 year old female presents and says “I want to be able to move without pain.” The patient has suffered with upper back and neck pain and frequent headaches that seemed to be referred from the base of the skull to her eye. The neck pain also caused the shoulder and arm to become numb. This was accompanied with low back and hip pain that often got “stuck” at night. The patient also noted occasional attacks of pain to the side of her face for the past 10 years.

An upper cervical evaluation was completed which included an upper cervical specific exam and advanced diagnostic imaging using the Cone-Beam CT. Following the exam and extensive analysis of the diagnostic imaging, the patient was found to have signs indicating that there was an injury to the upper cervical spine. A plan of action was presented and the patient initiated upper cervical care.

Method of Care

Upper cervical corrections were advised and given. The purpose of care was to correct the biomechanical and neurological fault or subluxation found at the atlanto-axial joint. The recommended care included an initial correction of the first vertebra and regular visits to evaluate and deliver corrections to the upper cervical spine as needed. The case was managed following the Blair Upper Cervical Specific protocol and included PRILL leg length inequality observations, thermographic pattern studies, posture analysis and neurological tests.

Outcome

During a re-exam after 2 month of care, the patient reported “no headaches, low back pain, or face pain.” There was still some shoulder and arm pain, but on average that was rated at 2/10 during the day. Although the patient did suffer some setbacks at the beginning of care due to an incident, she was able to overcome the majority of her health concerns and regain her life.

Conclusion

The primary objective of upper cervical care is to remove true consistent nerve pressure thus allowing the nervous system to become healthy once again. The reduction in symptoms correlating with the initiation of care in this case, and the reduction of symptoms within two months of care, suggest a link between the upper cervical subluxation, and the neurological conditions. It may prove beneficial if further studies on upper cervical injuries and it’s association with neurological health problems were pursed more fully.