Meniere's Disease: Calming The Waters

At its worst, Meniere’s Disease can literally turn your world upside down. Aside from these severe episodes of vertigo known throughout the medical community as, “Drop Attacks”, the daily impact of tinnitus/roaring, hearing loss, fullness in the ears, mental fogginess and more mild vertigo symptoms wears very heavily on Meniere’s patients and their loved ones. Each case of Meniere’s is unique and different but the most common medical treatments available focus on the symptoms the patient is experiencing rather than trying to address the true cause of the body’s dysfunction. These medical interventions include the use of low/no sodium diets, injections of the antibiotic, Gentamicin or steroids across the eardrum (tympanic membrane), prescriptions of the antihistamine, Meclizine (Antivert), and in extreme cases the surgical destruction of the Vestibular Nerve. These interventions have varying levels of effectiveness and the unfortunate reality is that many individuals are still left looking for answers even after they have tried some or all these interventions.

Recent research in the field of upper cervical chiropractic has shown that one of the primary causes of Meniere’s Disease is damage or misalignment of the upper cervical spine, just below the base of the skull. This area of the spine surrounds the brainstem and serves to protect the integrity of nervous system pathways, cerebrospinal fluid flow, blood flow, lymphatic drainage, and a host of other vital functions. Small misalignments in this very important area can lead to decreased function of some, or all, of these vital systems. The brainstem area is also the point of origin for the nerves supplying and controlling the structures of the ear. These structures include the nerves responsible for hearing and equilibrium as well as those controlling the muscles tasked with opening/ closing the eustachian tube and dampening or amplifying sound.

A phenomenon that I have noticed in my studies and clinical experience is that individuals with Meniere’s Disease are often affected by other ailments which can be linked to misalignments in the upper cervical spine including: headaches/migraines, neck pain, TMJ disorders, sinus/ear congestion, difficulty concentrating, hypertension, and fatigue (to name just a few). The combination of some or all of these symptoms leads to even further difficulty maintaining a functional and enjoyable life. The GREAT news is that there is an option for individuals suffering from this complicated disease! It involves no drugs, no surgeries or injections, and the cost is often several times lower than many of the aforementioned treatments. 

Dr. Michael Burcon, an upper cervical chiropractor and Meniere’s researcher has published several research articles detailing successful management with upper cervical chiropractic of hundreds of individuals suffering from Meniere’s and vertigo. This research has been published and presented around the world and upper cervical chiropractic is gaining traction as a viable option for those seeking answers and looking to address the CAUSE of their symptoms rather than simply managing the symptoms.   Gentle and highly specific adjustments to the upper neck restore proper position and integrity of vital structures, clearing the way for normal function. Through the use of precision xray analysis, an upper cervical chiropractor is able to map out the anatomy of YOUR head and neck and determine the proper angles and direction to gently re-align your upper neck, freeing the body from interference and restoring proper function. 

If you or someone you know is suffering from Meniere’s disease or any of the symptoms listed above, please consider contacting us to set up a complimentary consultation or to obtain help locating an upper cervical chiropractor in your area. 

Dr. Alex

Know Your Flow: Part Two

A Continuation of Part I 

Last week we left off talking about the importance of FLOW in the body and how disruptions in flow can lead to poor health. If you haven’t already, please be sure to read Part I before continuing on!

In addition to direct interference of the nervous system, spinal misalignments in the top of the neck can also change the flow/pressure of blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) between the brain and the body. This change in flow can result in decreased function of systems that feed the brain, remove its waste, and regulate its natural environment. These changes can alter the chemical balance within the brain and result in migraines, vertigo, mental fog, tinnitus, visual disturbances, mood changes, and potentially even some of the more complex neurological illnesses that are rampant in our society today. In addition to the chemical changes within the brain, misalignments in the top of the neck alter the position of the head on the neck, negatively impacting posture and contributing to degenerative changes in the spine over time.

There is a common analogy that is utilized by chiropractors and while it is not 100% anatomically/physiologically accurate, the general principle is very useful when attempting to illustrate the tremendous impact that changes in vital FLOW can have on our bodies. Imagine a beautiful lush garden full of every sort of plant imaginable. Now imagine a large garden hose through which all of these plants are watered every day. If you place a moderate amount of pressure with your foot upon this hose, the overall volume of water that is dispersed is decreased slightly. In a relatively short period of time, plants that are very sensitive to the new, drier conditions will begin to wither and die, followed by those which are a bit heartier. Finally, after a number of years or decades of decreased water flow, even the most robust plants will not be able to survive leaving a barren wasteland where a masterpiece of a garden once stood. However, if we were to intervene at some point, remove the pressure upon the hose and restore proper flow, the garden would begin to thrive once again and have a chance at being restored to its former glory and vibrancy.  

Chiropractors recognize the intelligent power of the body to repair damaged tissue and restore health to the individual. These processes of repair and regulation depend upon a fully functioning nervous system without any barriers to its flow and a generally healthy lifestyle. When you visit a chiropractor that understands this basic principle of health, they will assess your body and determine the location of any spinal misalignments which may be negatively impacting your health. Using some of the most advanced tools available today, the doctors at Wolfe Family Chiropractic in Metamora evaluate each person as a unique individual requiring a tailor-made approach to care depending on their specific misalignments and health history. Over time, the use of precise adjustments allows the doctors to restore proper position of the misaligned spinal vertebrae and remove interference on the patient’s nervous system flow, allowing it to function properly. When the nervous system is able to function at 100% efficiency, the result is a gradual return to health, increased function of the immune system, decreased pain, and increased vitality.

If you are ready to explore what restoration of your body’s normal and natural flow can do for your health, give us a call at: (810) 212-1200 to discuss how we can help you live a healthier life, naturally through chiropractic!

Know Your Flow: Part One

A Review Of Important Flow Patterns In The Body

     Our friends over at Merriam-Webster Dictionary define "flow" as movement “in a continuous and smooth way.” It is no wonder, then, that health practitioners commonly use this term when talking about health, something we certainly desire to be “continuous and smooth”. The average person knows enough basic anatomy to feel comfortable listening to a description of the cardiovascular system and how blood is pumped from the heart, through the arteries, to the tissues, from the tissues, into veins, and back to the heart. With just a little bit of coaching they could probably even tell you how the blood carries nutrients, removes waste, and delivers oxygen to the cells of the body. If you were to limit the FLOW of blood to an area of the body you would decrease its ability to function in a “continuous and smooth” way. Reduce or stop the flow of blood for long enough and you would deprive tissues of vital ingredients essential to their survival. 

     Blood is just one of many essential components that must flow uninhibited through our bodies in order to sustain health.  The nervous system is the master controller of ALL bodily functions. The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves which extend to every area of your body. The nervous system controls and regulates every conscious and unconscious process in the body and just like the blood that flows through our arteries and veins, the nervous system depends upon unrestricted flow of information from brain to body and back to the brain. When operating unencumbered, the nervous system is capable of meticulously balancing the chemical reactions in our body, directing the operation of our organs, dilating and constricting blood vessels, directing healing processes, integrating sensory information from the rest of the body, and so much more!

     Just like the flow of a blood vessel, the flow of information along the nervous system can be interfered with, causing impaired function and even damage to tissues if the interference is sustained for a long enough period of time. The most common way in which the nervous system is subjected to interference is through the misalignment of spinal vertebrae which applies forces to the nerves reaching out into the body. These misalignments can be present for years or decades before the effects of decreased nervous system function are felt by the individual. Imagine a spinal misalignment causing a slight decrease in the function of one part of the liver. Over the course of several years, the ability of that portion of the liver to process toxins is inhibited as a result of this interference and eventually, the body develops a toxicity leading to poor health. If left uncorrected, this imbalance within the body can lead to premature aging, damage to other organs, and a general feeling of fatigue/sickness.

Check back next week for more about FLOW and how it keeps us healthy!

Taking Control of Your Health

     For as long as we’ve been walking the earth, humans have craved control over their situation. We see this desire for control in the magnificent buildings and machines that dot our country’s landscape from coast to coast. We have overcome and tamed the forces of nature with dams, airplanes, bridges and boats. Modern medicine is no different in its ultimate goal but rather than taming stone and steel, the medical researchers of the modern ages have been on a quest for control of the human body through the use of drugs and surgery. There is no doubt that through centuries of trial and error we have accomplished some amazing feats that have saved millions of lives. Unfortunately, the train of thought behind most of this advancement has its basic premise rooted in the delusion that we, as humans, are more capable than the in-born power of our bodies that has been sustaining life since the very beginning. Instead of asking the question, “how can we make the body submit to our will?” what if we were to ask, “how can we embrace and support the natural healing potential which ALREADY exists within our body?” Any one of you reading this is intelligent enough to know that headaches are not cause by pharmaceutical deficiency in the body and yet societies best solution for years has been the medicine cabinet!

     Every minute of our life, from before our birth until our dying breath, our nervous system orchestrates a master symphony of physiological processes that exceeds the complexity and accuracy of any machine or software program ever conceived. When we smell warm pastries or freshly brewed coffee, our perception of that smell is integrated by our brain and the physiological process of salivation instantaneously begins while thousands of other bodily functions continue without interruption and without our conscious participation. This is just one of hundreds of thousands of environmental responses that occur within each of us throughout any given day. The efficiency and integrity of these actions as well as the vital functions of our major organs is reliant upon a properly functioning nervous system that is free from any interference.

     Chiropractors recognize the existence of three categories of opposition to nervous system health: Thoughts, Traumas, and Toxins. Exposure to these “Three T’s” is unavoidable in our daily lives but with a concentrated effort, we can reduce our vulnerability to their effects. Each of our bodies has a threshold of tolerance to negative health factors that it is able to deal with. The occasional (weekly) soda, for instance, is generally not enough of an insult to our bodies to cause a rapid fall from health. When we exceed our threshold of tolerance by dumping large amounts of toxins into our bodies (daily sodas, tobacco, alcohol, etc.) we weaken the body and lower our resistance to disease. This is just one small example of how our behavior affects our health. Everything we choose to expose ourselves our bodies to including, but not limited to: unhealthy foods, polluted air, bad ergonomics, falls, addictions, and long periods of inactivity, takes us one step further from health or one step closer to sickness. In contrast, when we consume healthy foods, exercise regularly, and maintain healthy relationships we advance towards health and leave sickness behind us. 

     One of the clearest indicators of poor or declining health is the presence of subluxations in the spine. A subluxation is a misalignment which negatively impacts the proper function and motion of the body. Subluxations occur when a toxic/traumatic/thought threshold has been exceeded and the body succumbs to the “something’s gotta give” laws of nature. Subluxations in the spine create interference within the nervous system and decrease the ability of our brain to send and receive messages regarding body function. With so much of our health depending on constant, clear, efficient, and precise communication between the brain and the rest of the body, subluxations can negatively affect our health in a dramatic way. You may have never heard the word "subluxation" before but the vast majority of the world's population is being negatively affected by them. Chiropractors are the only health professionals in the world trained to detect and correct subluxations of the spine.

     In our office this week, our welcome board reads, “Your body’s ability to heal is greater than anyone has permitted you to believe.” We regularly assist our patients in rediscovering the natural healing capabilities of their bodies through regular, specific chiropractic care and through teaching basic healthy lifestyle choices. Your body is capable of healing most everything on its own, you only need to provide it with the proper ingredients and ensure your body systems, especially your nervous system, are operating at full efficiency. 

If you would like to have your family’s and your own spine checked for subluxations by a chiropractor that focuses on specific correction and whole body wellness, give our office a call at (810) 212-1200.

Also, don't forget to follow us on Google+ , Facebook, Twitter, and check out our Pinterest page! We love feedback and would be honored to have you share our social media posts with your friends and family!

Migraines: The Great Equalizer

From Wall Street CEOs to your local barista, chronic migraine headaches are a debilitating condition which bring most sufferers to their knees for hours or even days at a time. Those of us who have ever had the misfortune of experiencing a migraine know that they can bring our lives to a grinding halt and hold us hostage in our own bodies. Migraines can leave us feeling emotionally and physically exhausted once they pass and fearful of their likely return. With the pharmaceutical industry making millions of dollars annually from the sale of medications aimed at migraine relief, it would seem that a solution would be readily available. The reality of the matter is that most individuals continue to suffer while they continually bounce between doctors, medications, and various behavioral changes. 

What if the answer to relief of chronic migraines was as simple as addressing a structural misalignment that was robbing your body of the opportunity to function at 100% of its natural ability? At the base of each of our heads is an area known as the Upper Cervical Spine. This region of the neck has three characteristics that are not found anywhere else in the spine: (1) it is highly mobile, (2) it is VERY susceptible to misalignment and (3) the close tolerances in this area mean misalignment of the bones can physically inhibit the flow of blood, cerebral spinal fluid, and electrical communication from the head to the rest of the body. This interference decreases the body's ability to function and heal properly. Migraine headaches are one of MANY symptoms that can occur as a result of an Upper Cervical misalignment.

Upper Cervical chiropractors like myself are trained in the precision analysis of the bones of the upper neck and the detection and correction of misalignments in this area. When the structural integrity is restored and the flow of vital messages between the body any brain is allowed to resume uninhibited, health returns and the body thrives! Migraines are one of the many conditions that respond exceptionally well to specific Upper Cervical care and we love hearing from our patients about how they now have relief from the chronic migraines which have held them hostage for years.

Dr. Alex Wolfe