Upper Cervical Chiropractic Can Treat Bell’s Palsy

What is Bell’s Palsy?

Bell’s palsy is a disorder of the nervous system that can cause temporary weakness, stiffness, and drooping on one side of the face. The root cause for Bell’s palsy is still unknown, but most cases of the condition are accompanied by inflammation, swelling, or compression around the seventh cranial nerve. For this reason, upper cervical chiropractic care is often recommended to help alleviate the frequency and severity of Bell’s palsy symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms of Bell’s Palsy?

The most common symptom of Bell’s palsy is facial paralysis and weakness on one side of the face. This can manifest as drooping at the eyelids or corners of the mouth, an inability to properly close one eye, or an excessively wrinkled brow. Other signs or symptoms of Bell’s palsy include clumsiness in one or both hands, vision problems, and problems with taste, smell, or hearing, or even nasal blockages.

How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Bell’s Palsy

The relationship between the upper cervical spine and Bell’s palsy is rooted in the intricate links between the topmost cervical vertebrae (the C1 and C2) and the brainstem. When these vertebrae are naturally aligned, they support the spinal cord’s connection to the brainstem, facilitating proper nerve flow from the central nervous system and ensuring regular transmission of neural signals to the craniofacial muscles and nerves. However, if these vertebrae are misaligned, the ensuing inflammation can lead to key nerve groups become unresponsive or misrouted. If the seventh cranial nerve is one of the nerve groups that is compressed or pinched by an impacted vertebra, it can trigger the onset of Bell’s palsy.

How Our Upper Cervical Spinal Treatment for Bell’s Palsy Works

At Advance Upper Cervical Chiropractic, Dr. Noah Kaplan, our board-certified chiropractor, employs the Blair Chiropractic Technique when treating Bell’s palsy. The Blair Technique is a gentle and precise form of upper cervical chiropractic care that focuses on the intricate relationship between the upper cervical vertebral alignment and the function of the central nervous system.

At our office, the first step in treating Bell’s palsy is to determine whether a vertebral misalignment in the upper cervical spine is compressing or inflaming the seventh cranial nerve. To do so, Dr. Kaplan utilizes a range of state-of-the-art 3D imaging technologies, including cone beam computed tomography, to create a detailed 3D image of the cranio-cervical junction. We are the only chiropractic office in Walnut Creek and the entire East Bay area to utilize this technology in patient care.

If a misalignment is detected, Dr Kaplan will use the Blair Chiropractic Technique to gently adjust the affected vertebrae. In addition to improving regular nerve function, this process will help to relieve the pressure on the seventh cranial nerve, reducing the frequency and severity of Bell’s palsy episodes.

If Bell’s palsy is preventing you from doing the things you love, get in touch today to speak with Dr. Kaplan about the health of your upper cervical spine. Located in Walnut Creek, California, Dr. Kaplan also services Pleasant Hill, Concord, Lafayette, Danville, San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, and Livermore.