Sinus Problems

Did you know that Sinusitis is the most common condition in the 18 to 45 age group? Sinusitis presents as a stuffy head, feeling like you have a persistent cold, and post nasal drip. It can also cause pain and pressure around your eyes; ears; a dull ache in the cheek bones; pain in the teeth; a runny nose; chills; fever; dizziness; loss of appetite; photophobia; bad breath; and even depression.(1) Your sinuses are eight hollow spaces in the bones of the forehead, cheeks, and temples. The problem with your sinuses’ is also their greatest asset, namely, mucous. Mucous is one of the greatest protections against infection in the body. Your nose, throat, and sinuses are lined with mucous to filter out dust, dirt, and pollutants. In fact, without this filtering your lungs, kidneys, and even bloodstream could fill with airborne toxins.

Chiropractic approaches the sinus problem much differently than the medical field. Chiropractors help relieve stress on the nervous system, reducing the body’s hyperactive response to allergens.(2) Noted health researcher Dr. Kurt Donsback shares the opinion of many natural healthcare providers: A healthy body is capable of neutralizing these toxic substances and a body which has malfunctioning defense mechanisms cannot. The emphasis on allergies must be on building a healthy body, not on trying to use evasive tactics by elimination all the allergens. 2 We also assess the body for food sensitivities which could cause a immune or histamine reaction because our bodies identify the food or particle as a foreign invader. Lastly, many patients have great success with electrical acupuncture which helps the sinuses to drain and work correctly without harmful drugs which can cause rebound symptoms.

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Headaches

Did you know that the ache in headaches do not come from your brain? Your brain does not feel pain, in fact during brain surgery you can be wide awake and feel nothing! So what aches in „headaches‰? It is the blood vessels, membranes, cranial and spinal nerves in the brain and skull. When these structures are compressed, irritated, or inflamed a headache often results.

Chiropractors look to these structures for the cause of your headaches. Irritated or inflamed nerves cause tissue inflammation, cause muscles to tighten and knot, cause fatigue, weakness and sets the stage for illness.

Just as you may have a cavity in your teeth and not know it, you may be unaware of vertebral subluxation which can be causing damage to your body. Vertebral subluxation is a small misalignment of your spinal bones which causes a distortion to your nervous system and leads to abnormal signals to your body.

Dozens of studies support the fact that Chiropractic care works great for headaches. In a study performed at the University of Odense, Denmark, there was a dramatic improvement in the number of headache hours per day which decreased by 69% after receiving chiropractic care. In another landmark study of 6,000 long term headache sufferers it was determined that the single most important factor in the cause of headaches was neck injury. When the neck is out of alignment due to a past injury it creates pressure on the delicate structures of the neck causing headaches.

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Chiropractic Care for a Patient with Chronic Migraine Headaches - A Case Study

From the August 3, 2003 issue of the Peer-Reviewed Scientific Journal, Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, comes a documented case study of a professional ice skater who had suffered from chronic migraine headaches. The study reports that when she was 23 years old and a professional skater she had sustained a concussion by hitting her head against the ice in a fall.  Prior to her fall and concussion, she exhibited no health problems. Following the concussion, she suffered with tension and migraine headaches. These symptoms persisted over the next twelve years, during which time she utilized daily pain medications.

At age 35 she decided to initiate chiropractic care.  The study notes that the initial examination showed evidence of subluxation in the upper neck (cervical spine) . The results were monitored by the doctor’s observation, patient’s subjective description of symptoms, and thermographic scans.  Following three months of care all headaches were gone. After a one year follow up the patient still remained headache free.

The study's conclusion noted, "The onset of the symptoms following the patient’s fall on her head; the immediate reduction in symptoms correlating with the initiation of care; and the complete absence of all symptoms within three months of care; suggest a link between the patient’s concussion, the upper cervical
subluxation, and her headaches.

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TMJ Syndrome

Place your fingers in front of each ear, open your jaw, and you will feel your Temporomandibular joint or TMJ. Are you experiencing a clicking or popping sound? Can you open your jaw wide? Does it lock up on you? Is there any pain? Your symptoms could be caused by a misalignment of the TMJ joint. You may have TMJ Syndrome. In fact, according to one researcher, “78% of the general public have some amount of TMJ dysfunction.” (3>4) Other symptoms may include: hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in ears), headache, facial swelling, pain in the shoulder, neck, cheek or jaw, facial nerve pain, dental pain, dizziness, blurred vision, and neck ache.

TMJ Syndrome can begin in childhood.

One of the major causes can be poor nutrition. Poor posture, accidents, spinal or skull subluxations, dental work or trauma can also be the cause. Orthodontic treatment, ill-fitting dental work or simply sitting with your mouth open during your dental appointment puts great
stress on the TMJ. 

Many TMJ suffers benefit from chiropractic care. Spine and TMJ problems are often found together and affect each other. (5) Your entire nervous system can be affect when your skull, jaw or spine is improperly aligned. Chiropractic will relieve pressure on the spine and cranial bones, which may correct a TMJ problem. On the other hand, if you have a misaligned jaw or skull as in TMJ syndrome, this can put stress on the spinal column. Anyone who suffers from TMJ or has been to a dentist will need a chiropractic checkup.

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