One of the things that I have found in consulting with patients who are suffering with Meniere’s disease is a lack of understanding about all of the different variables that affect their condition.
Meniere’s disease is a syndrome that consists of various symptoms, and on a case by case basis the experience of those symptoms is unique to the individual and their history. This variability of presentation can delay diagnosis and make it confusing to evaluate all of a person’s options - both conventional and alternative.
An often overlooked issue in a more comprehensive plan of care is an understanding of structural trauma that has impacted this condition. Structural trauma refers to whiplash-type injuries, such as car accidents, old sports injuries, slip-and-fall injuries, and forces that cause a rapid change of direction of the head and neck.
The upper cervical spine is the most mobile and susceptible to injury in the entire spinal system, so that when you have a force that impacts the stability of the spine, this area is affected first. This magnitude of force can produce a structural shift in the relationship between the head and neck, which produces local irritation and inflammation, often resulting in the stiffness and soreness experienced after the initial injury. After the initial inflammation associated with the injury subsides, scar tissue develops as part of the healing process and maintains that structural shift. Abnormal positions produce abnormal mechanics, which increases wear and tear in the joints and tissues of the neck.
There are sensitive nerve structures in the base of the brain, called the brainstem, that are distributed to the muscles, receptors, and tissues of the vestibular apparatus which contributes to balance and your equilibrium. There are additional nerves that supply the tissues of the middle and inner ear and contribute to hearing and the functions of the eustachian tube (ear canal). What we find is over time the nerve irritation associated with instability of the upper neck starts to cause a number of secondary conditions (what we commonly referred to as symptoms) in the tissues and structures supplied by these nerves. As you might imagine, structural problems require require structural solutions. If left uncorrected the structural shift will continue to progress along with its associated secondary conditions.
While every person’s experience is unique, there has been a substantial amount of research linking the structural integrity of the cervical spine (neck) and the onset of conditions such as Meniere’s disease. By implementing procedures that address this issue at the structural level, many individuals with Meniere’s have experienced a recovery of health, diminishment of symptoms, and improved quality of life.
To determine if a structural injury may have been a part of the development of your Meniere’s disease, schedule a complimentary consultation with Colorado Springs Chiropractor Dr. John Stenberg. A complimentary consultation is a simple conversation focused on identifying key features of your history and to determine if NeuroStructural care is a potential solution for your case. If it is determined that you may have Atlas Displacement Complex, a structural approach that does not require twisting, popping, and cracking may provide significant improvement.