Attention Deficit Disorder, Pain And Upper Cervical Care

(Upper Cervical) Chiropractic care improves quality of life, sleep & attention in patient with Attention Deficit Disorder

Marshall Dickholtz Sr., D.C. & Evan White D.C.

J Upper Cervical Chiropr Res. 2012 Aug;27:71-76

Objective: To report an improvement in quality of life, sleep and attention following reduction of an upper cervical vertebral subluxation in a patient with Attention Deficit Disorder.

Clinical Features: A 19-year-old male presented for (upper cervical) chiropractic care with complaints of Attention Deficit Disorder and chronic dorsal and lumbar pain.

Intervention and Outcomes: National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA) technique was utilized to evaluate the appropriateness of chiropractic care.  Several objective clinical findings were noted.  The atlas misalignment was corrected with an upper cervical adjustment and immediate improvement was observed. Visual evoked responses revealed normalization of a previously abnormal steady-state visual evoked response.  Outcome assessment tools showed significant improvements in overall health.

Conclusion: The reduction of the upper cervical vertebral subluxation was concomitant with improved quality of life, sleep and visual evoked responses.

(Editor's note: Remember the objective of upper cervical care is to correct head neck misalignment that is interfering with proper brain to body communication. When this is corrected the body functions at a higher level and can often correct other problems more efficiently on its own. Please do not confuse upper cervical care as a treatment for any condition, disease or symptom.)

TMJ And Upper Cervical Care.

Adapted from an article by MCA

When most people hear the acronym TMJ, they think of their dentist. But an upper cervical doctor can also help. TMJ stands for the Temporal-Mandibular Joint, which is where your jaw (mandible) contacts/connects with your skull (temporal bone). 

The most common symptoms associated with TMJ dysfunction are pain with chewing, clicking or popping of the jaw. But many other symptoms can be caused from TMJ dysfunction including: headaches, fatigue, sleep disturbances, irritability, a loss in focus, ringing in ears, head and neck tension, sinus congestion and ear infections. 

Causes of TMJ dysfunction include blunt trauma to head/neck, fall/ hit onto chin (commonly seen in children), slip/fall on tailbone causing compensatory effects up the spine and into the cranial bones, whiplash/car accidents, and prolonged desk work/forward head posture.

Understanding the relationship between proper function of the upper cervical spine and how that can influence the TMJ is helpful. Upper cervical doctors are trained in identifying and correcting the upper cervical spine. Specific upper cervical corrections are essential to restoring structural balance and providing proper function and neurological integrity. If left uncorrected, dysfunction can lead to grinding of teeth, facial asymmetry, additional stress upon the spinal column, and an increase in current symptoms. 

(Editor's note: Remember the objective of upper cervical care is to correct head neck misalignment that is interfering with proper brain to body communication. When this is corrected the body functions at a higher level and can often correct other problems more efficiently on its own. Please do not confuse upper cervical care as a treatment for any condition, disease or symptom.)