Injuries are a part of life. Everyone gets injured every once in a while. If you’re lucky, injuries are rare and minor, but life happens and sometimes no matter how careful you are, an injury can change all of your plans.
There are many different injuries and many different types of treatments your physician might offer. Some injuries just need time to heal; others may benefit from medication, surgery, or some other medical treatment.
One interesting thing about injuries is that upper cervical chiropractic care can help treat or heal a wide variety of them. You may wonder why this small section of the spine is so integral to helping the rest of the body heal and recover from an injury. We can help you with that: read on.
What Is the Upper Cervical Spine?
The upper cervical spine consists of the seven vertebrae at the top of the spine. Starting at the base of the skull and going down the neck, these vertebrae are integral to the body’s overall health. The upper cervical spine protects the spinal cord where it connects to the brain stem and is in close proximity to many delicate nerve clusters and vessels.
The upper cervical spine is prone to injury. Any jolt to the head or neck area, major or minor, can cause the vertebrae to slip out of place and wreak havoc on your health. Misalignments can cause nerves and/or vessels to be pinched between the vertebrae or may result in inflammation and swelling that compresses nerves and vessels. When this happens, it impedes the flow of nerve signals or causes neurons to misfire; it may also cause blockages in vital vessels.
The upper cervical spine is also responsible for the carriage and movement of the head; postural problems that exacerbate injuries usually begin there. Any misalignment may cause stress on other joints, muscles, ligaments, or bones as the body shifts to compensate.
Problems caused by a misalignment in the spine can not only make injuries in other parts of the body worse but can interfere with the immune system from doing its job. The immune system’s functions are regulated by nerve signals to and from the brain. If those signals are blocked, it can have an impact on the healing process.
When to Seek an Upper Cervical Specialist
If you want to ease your symptoms, jumpstart your body’s natural healing processes, and put your body on the road to healing, you should seek chiropractic care in the following situations:
After Car Accidents—Many kinds of injuries may be sustained in car accidents, but the most common type is whiplash. Even in minor fender benders, the head can “whip” back and forth enough to cause just the kind of misalignment in the upper cervical area that breeds a variety of other health issues. Your chiropractor will get to the root of the problem as your body heals.
Sports Injuries—Injuries sustained during sports can also cause the type of jolt to the head and neck that results in a subluxation of the upper cervical vertebrae. You don’t need to be in professional sports for this to happen; even tame recreational sports with friends can cause a problem that you may not think is a big deal at the time, but that can bring years of pain down the road.
Work Injuries—Getting your upper cervical spine examined by an expert is a good idea for any injury you sustain at work. Once again, you can get the best results by getting to the root of the problem. Even if you hurt your knee or hand, it is possible that a misalignment in the upper cervical spine from the past can interfere with your healing today.
Daily Aches and Pains—These still count as injuries, because they are usually from past injuries that did not heal properly. Misalignments of the spine can plague you for years before causing serious health issues. Getting problems nipped in the bud is the best measure.
How Our Upper Cervical Treatment Works
At Advance Upper Cervical Chiropractic in Walnut Creek, we prefer to treat the cause of the problem rather than just the symptom. By aiming for the root cause, we give you the best chance of relief and recovery.
Owner Dr. Noah Kaplan is among the most elite upper cervical chiropractors in Northern California. A board-certified member of the Blair Chiropractic Society, he is a practitioner of the Blair Chiropractic Technique.
The Blair technique is a modern, revolutionary form of chiropractic care that leaves the jarring jolts and abrupt twists of the past. Instead, Blair practitioners like Dr. Kaplan rely on advanced 3D imaging technology to pinpoint exact misalignments.
Dr. Kaplan’s office is the only office in the East Bay area to offer Cone Beam computed tomography (CBCT), a specialized 3D X-ray that lets him examine and measure your unique anatomy. Once misalignments are detected, the doctor can make corrections using swift, gentle, precise pressure.
The Blair technique offers a drug-free, non-invasive, natural way to treat injuries and jumpstart the body’s restorative abilities. Located in Walnut Creek, California, Dr. Kaplan also services Pleasant Hill, Concord, Lafayette, Danville, San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, and Livermore.
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