If you or someone you know is suffering with Meniere’s Disease, you may have heard phrases such as:
“We don’t know what causes this condition.”
“Your symptoms will probably continue to get worse over time, but we aren’t sure.”
“There is no cure for your condition, but there are several medications available for symptom management.”
This can be frustrating news, especially when it takes a long time and a lot of doctor’s appointment to even arrive at a diagnosis. The good news is that many patients have found the key to lasting relief from Meniere’s disease by utilizing a structural approach.
Meniere’s Disease 101
Meniere’s disease is diagnosed predominantly by symptom expression. The hallmark features of Meniere’s disease include vertigo, progressive hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), and a sense of fullness in the ear. These symptoms often occur to varying degrees but are present in most Meniere’s cases.
Traditional theories about the progression of Meniere’s disease focus on abnormal drainage of the ear as a primary cause. Emerging theories are unraveling some of the complicated factors that are commonly overlooked in the management of Meniere’s Disease, which pave the way for new and effective treatment options.
Thinking outside of the box
In the quest to find lasting relief, every stone must be overturned to identify the missing link in effective management of Meniere’s disease. One of the more commonly overlooked areas of dysfunction contributing to Meniere’s disease is not in the ear itself, but a few inches away at the upper neck.
Atlas Displacement Complex is a structural condition of the spine that occurs following whiplash, trauma, or other jarring injuries to the neck. As the most moveable area of the spine, the junction between the head and neck is susceptible to structural displacement under these types of forces. This area of the spine is also extremely sensitive to the nerve system of the body due to its proximity to the brain, it’s high density of nerve fibers, and ability to obstruct spinal fluid flow.
When injured, the upper neck can trigger a stress response in the body. If left uncorrected, the wear and tear that accumulates as a side effect of improper spinal balance and mechanics add up. The result is the onset of secondary conditions. Secondary conditions (as the name implies) are the direct result of Atlas Displacement Complex and achieving resolution of these symptoms requires a structural approach.
Connecting the dots
Many patients with Meniere’s disease have a history of neck trauma, predominantly a motor vehicle accident. For many patients, this injury is the missing link between a nerve system irritation and the development of their symptoms. The nerve supply to the inner ear, face, head, and neck is focalized to the area closest to the top of the spine. This means that a structural issue at the base of the skull and top of the neck can induce a nerve irritation. In the same way that a disc herniation in the low back can produce leg pain or tingling, an upper neck injury can produce symptoms such as:
Vertigo
Tinnitus
Headaches
Eustachian tube dysfunction
Neck pain
And more… As you can see, many of these symptoms overlap with the symptoms of Meniere’s disease. What to do about it
For many patients with Meniere’s disease, finding hope of improvement and lasting relief is possible. Upper cervical doctors are uniquely focused in taking care of the injuries to the upper neck in a conservative, effective, and comfortable way. Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic is a highly successful method for addressing Atlas Displacement Complex with Meniere’s patients. This procedure uses detailed diagnostic testing, advanced imaging, and non-manipulative adjustments (no cracking or twisting) to correct the upper neck.
Colorado Springs chiropractor Dr. John Stenberg is one of the few qualified Blair Upper Cervical chiropractors in Colorado, and the only one in Colorado Springs.
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