The Unknown Conditions You Didn't Think Chiropractic Care Can Treat

There are a lot of chronic conditions that people may have, and it can be very frustrating. Sometimes, problems can go on for years and doctors can't figure out the root cause of their pain or discomfort. 

Before you give up hope on your unknown condition, consider seeing an upper cervical chiropractor. It may surprise you to discover just how integral your spine's health is to your overall health and well-being. 

Why Spinal Health Is Vital to Your Overall Health

Just consider the important job the spine has: it protects the spinal cord. The brain and the spinal cord together make up the Central Nervous System (CNS). The spinal cord carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body. This is how the brain regulates all of the body's functions. 

If even one vertebra slips out of place, it can cause health problems in other parts of the body. Nerves may become pinched or compressed, and important vessels may be blocked, signals can be disrupted, and this can set off a domino effect throughout the system. 

One vertebra out of place can result in excessive stress on other joints, muscles, ligaments,  or tendons. The problem kicks off a chain event throughout the musculoskeletal system. 

When the spine is realigned to a healthy state, however, it reduces inflammation, removes pressure and strain, allows for nerve signals to flow freely, and bodily functions can resume. The body's natural healing mechanisms are triggered to help restore health and wellness. 

What Kind of Conditions Can Chiropractors Treat?

While many people call the chiropractor to work on back or neck pain, chiropractors can treat many more conditions. Auto-immune diseases, chronic pain, mobility impairments, headache disorders, joint diseases, nerve conditions, or postural problems may all be connected to the state of the spine. 

The spine's health can play a role in everything from sleep disorders to depression and anxiety to the immune system itself. When there is a problem impeding the central nervous system from doing its job, there is no limit to the symptoms that may manifest. 

How Our Treatment Works

We treat a variety of symptoms at the Blair Chiropractic Clinic in Lubbock, Texas. Dr. Gordon Elder is trained in the Blair Chiropractic Technique. The Blair technique is a specialization in upper cervical care, combining advanced technology with modern chiropractic hands-on methods. 

Dr. Elder begins treatment with a screening that includes state-of-the-art 3D diagnostic imaging tools. This is how Blair practitioners can pinpoint and calculate any misalignments, no matter how minute. 

The second step in Dr. Elder's treatment plan is the healing process. Because of the advanced scans, Dr. Elder makes adjustments with a higher degree of precision, allowing him to use a lighter touch that is far more comfortable for patients than traditional chiropractic jerks and twists. 

The final step in Dr. Elder's treatment plan involves ongoing care to prevent problems in the future.

You don't have to live with your symptoms. Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive, drug-free, natural alternative treatment that helps bring patients relief from many different conditions. Contact Dr. Elder to see how he can help you. The doctor's areas of coverage include Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico. 

Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.

The Various Stages of Meniere's Disease: Finding Relief Naturally

Meniere's Disease is a rare disorder of the inner ear. The condition afflicts approximately 750,000 Americans, causing bouts of vertigo and other symptoms. 

Doctors are still not sure exactly what causes Meniere's disease but suspect it may have something to do with a build-up of fluids in the inner ear throwing off one's equilibrium. Some data suggests further that the root cause of inner ear problems may be a misalignment of the upper cervical spine.  

Signs and Symptoms of Meniere's Disease

Meniere's Disease can strike at any age, though most people who suffer from it begin experiencing symptoms between the ages of 40 and 60. 

In the first phase, you may feel sick to your stomach, shaky, sweaty, have heart palpitations, or have a ringing in your ears. 

In the second phase, attacks usually involve a bout of vertigo that lasts for a few minutes to a few hours. Vertigo is a loss of a sense of balance and coordination and feels as though you (or the room you're in) are spinning uncontrollably. This out-of-control feeling can spike anxiety, and cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, inability to focus the eyes, and sensitivity to sound. 

When having an attack of vertigo, it is dangerous to try and stand, walk, or do any tasks as you are at risk of falling and/or dropping things. The best thing you can do at the time sits still and wait for the feeling to pass. 

Generally, though traumatic, Meniere's disease is not fatal. As the disease progresses to the third phase, the most serious consequence is that it may cause hearing loss. Treatment may help prevent this. 

How the Upper Cervical Spine Plays a Role in Meniere's Disease

The upper cervical spine is made up of the top seven vertebrae, which sit close to where the brain stem connects to the spinal cord. This is also close to the eustachian tubes and tiny vessels that go to the inner ear. 

When the vertebrae are misaligned, it may cause inflammation and swelling. This may compress those tiny tubes and vessels, impeding drainage and airflow through the inner ear and allowing fluids to build. 

Adjusting the vertebrae and restoring proper alignment may allow the tubes and vessels to function properly, reducing symptoms and attacks for people with Meniere’s disease. 

How We Treat Meniere’s Disease

Dr. Gordon Elder of the Blair Chiropractic Clinic in Lubbock, Texas is an upper cervical specialist trained in the Blair Chiropractic Technique. Blair practitioners differ from traditional chiropractors because they make use of cutting-edge technology to better visualize and calculate the angles of your spine. They are also expertly trained to use low-force manipulations that are gentle and comfortable for the patient, rather than sudden and jarring twists and snaps. 

Dr. Elder's three-step treatment plan begins with advanced diagnostic 3D imaging technology in a consultation. Once he has pinpointed the problem, he can move on to the second step and restore spinal alignment with gentle pressure. Proper alignment jumpstarts the body's healing processes, which reduce inflammation, restore nerve function, and boost the immune system. 

The final step is adding regular chiropractic check-ups to your healthcare routine. That way, Dr. Elder can ensure your spine remains in a healthy state and make corrections when needed before they exacerbate problems. 

If you have Meniere's disease, Dr. Elder understands how frustrating and distressing it can be and he wants to help. Call for a consultation to see if chiropractic care may be right for you. Dr. Elder's area of coverage includes Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico.

Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.

What is the difference between Meniere's Disease and Vertigo?

Everyone gets a dizzy spell now and again. There are many common causes for dizziness or poor balance—intoxication, the flu, certain medications, fatigue, low blood sugar, etc. Most of the time, an occasional bout of dizziness is nothing to worry about. It will usually pass quickly and poses no threats to your health. 

On the other hand, you may experience dizziness or balance problems more often, or for a longer period than seems normal. If so, you may have an underlying condition causing the problem. 

The most common causes of dizziness and related symptoms are vertigo and Meniere's disease. These two conditions can be easily confused; here is how to tell them apart.

What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo is characterized by being dizzy or off-balance. You may feel lightheaded, have trouble getting steady, or like the room is spinning around you. You might even feel like this when you're sitting still or lying down.

Additional vertigo symptoms include nausea, vomiting, sweating, headache, or ringing in the ears. 

Vertigo is caused by an inner ear problem, such as an infection or a build-up of calcium deposits. On rare occasions, vertigo may also be caused by a head or neck injury, a tumor or stroke, or migraines. 

Finally, vertigo may be caused by Meniere's disease. 

What is Meniere's Disease?

Meniere's disease is a chronic inner ear disorder characterized by the buildup of fluids in the inner ear. The fluid build-up causes the pressure levels in the ear to change, resulting in vertigo.  Meniere's disease causes severe dizzy spells, ear pressure, tinnitus, and hearing loss.  

Doctors are unsure of what causes Meniere's disease. Some suspect it may be due to improper fluid drainage, blockages, or abnormal immune response. These problems may be caused by a misalignment of the upper cervical spine. 

Difference Between Vertigo and Meniere's Disease

As mentioned, Meniere's disease can cause vertigo. Vertigo is a symptom of the disease, but some people get vertigo without having Meniere's disease. 

The biggest difference is that vertigo alone will usually clear up after a few days and your condition will improve. Meniere's disease is recurring and gets progressively worse if untreated.

How We Treat Vertigo and Meniere's Disease

A common cause of Meniere's Disease, as mentioned, is a misalignment of the spine. Misalignments of the spine can also cause vertigo. Treating the upper cervical spine is the best way to get to the root of these conditions to facilitate healing. 

Dr. Gordon Elder of the Blair Chiropractic Clinic in Lubbock, Texas is an expert in working with conditions of the upper cervical spine. Dr. Elder specializes in the Blair Chiropractic Technique, a modern method that utilizes state-of-the-art technology to calculate misalignments in the spine for best results. By removing all the guesswork, Blair chiropractors can apply gentle corrections with precision for the best results. 

Dr. Elder's treatment method has three phases. In the first phase, the doctor will consult with you and perform a screening with 3D diagnostic imaging tools. Once any misalignments are pinpointed, the doctor will treat the problem with swift, low-force corrections to help ease the spine back into proper alignment. 

Once the spine is realigned, miraculous natural healing processes commence. A properly functioning body heals itself and restores wellness. Follow-up visits will allow the doctor to make sure the alignment is holding and monitor the healing process. 

The final phase of the process is to continue with regular chiropractic checkups. This is a preventative effort to help you maintain your good health and nip any future problems in the bud.

If you're suffering from Meniere's disease or vertigo, these conditions can be debilitating. Call Dr. Elder for a consultation so that we at the Blair Chiropractic Clinic can help you. Our office services patients in Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico. 

Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.

Meniere’s Disease: Can Upper Cervical Chiropractic Help This Condition?

What Is Meniere’s Disease?

Meniere’s disease is a condition that affects the inner ear, causing intense bouts of vertigo, dizziness, and tinnitus or high-pitched ringing. Particularly common amongst young to middle-aged adults, there is no known cause of Meniere’s disease, making it very difficult to treat. While there is no cure for this condition, there are ways to ease symptoms and improve quality of life. 

Signs and Symptoms of Meniere’s Disease

The primary side effect of Meniere’s disease is frequent episodes of vertigo, causing feelings of dizziness, loss of balance, and loss of coordination. Other signs and symptoms of Meniere’s disease include tinnitus (ringing in the ears), a feeling of fullness in the ears, and frequent bouts of nausea. 

How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Meniere’s Disease

The cause of Meniere’s disease is believed to be related to dysfunction in the inner ear. Specifically, the disease is thought to be triggered by changes in fluid build-up in the eustachian tubes (small canals connecting the ear to the nasal-sinus cavity). This relationship has led some researchers to link the onset of Meniere’s disease to injury or misalignment in the upper cervical spine. 

Because of their role in supporting the base of the skull, the vertebrae which make up the upper cervical spine play a key role in regulating the function of craniofacial arteries and musculature. Unsurprisingly, misalignment in one or more of these vertebrae can have a dramatic effect on craniofacial function, causing local inflammation, soft tissue adhesion, and swelling in the eustachian tubes. Left untreated, inflammation and swelling in the eustachian tubes can quickly lead to an abnormal build-up of fluid in the inner ear, potentially leading to conditions like Meniere’s disease.

How Our Upper Cervical Treatment Works 

Our chiropractic specialist, Dr. Gordon Elder, is a trained practitioner of the Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Technique. This technique prioritizes the gentle correction of misalignments in the upper cervical in order to restore natural function to the spinal column and allow the body to re-engage its natural healing mechanisms. 

During your initial appointment, Dr. Elder will perform a brief examination of your spine to determine whether you are suffering from Meniere’s disease due to a vertebral misalignment in the upper cervical spine. This whole process only takes between 25 and 30 minutes. 

At your next visit, Dr. Elder will use advanced 3-D imaging techniques to pinpoint the exact location of any spinal misalignments. At this point, you’ll also have an opportunity to review your scans and have a chat with Dr. Elder if you have any questions. 

Finally, Dr. Elder will target the affected area with a series of precise adjustments, re-seating the misaligned vertebra in its correct position. These adjustments are precise and gentle, so you don’t have to worry about any painful cracking or popping. 

Following the initial adjustment, patients will return for regular, gradually spaced-out check-ups to ensure their adjustment has stayed in place for 3 months. Over the course of 3-5 months, most patients average between 10 and 15 appointments with Dr. Elder.  

If you’re struggling to live with Meniere’s disease, come and speak with Dr. Elder about healing your body. Dr Elder is based in Lubbock, Texas, but also services Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, El Paso in Texas, and Hobbs in New Mexico.

Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.