Any misalignment in the neck or cervical spine can cause pain but the upper neck can cause other issues as well. It's here where we will sometimes see some severe headaches, sinus issues, ear problems, and something even more serious.
We can, of course, get pain as well. None of these symptoms are fun but here's why a misalignment high up in the neck can often be more serious that one lower.
Your brainstem extends down to the 2nd and it may to even the 3rd spinal segment. The brainstem is part of the brain, an area very rich with nerve activity.
The upper neck is so important that in chiropractic there is even a specific technique that revolves around only adjusting that area of the body to improve and help heal certain ailments. I'm not just talking about ear or eye issues, but even things like lower body pain.
The premises is really that nervous system energy starts from the brain, goes down the spinal cord, and out nerve roots, to nerves, to everywhere in the body. Messages are also relayed back up this pathway as well.
Now the brain and brainstem actually have billions of synapses and messages that occur every second. Yes, I said Billions! So think of the power of this electrical system. As scientists and biologists and explorers, we have literally just scratched the surface of this complex system.
It is this nervous system that controls a digestive system, immune system, cardiovascular system and more. The brain and spinal cord are called the central nervous system; they are center to the whole thing. As nerves travel further out they become part of the perishable nervous system.
When we act to heal the central nervous system, the periphery can be healed as well. That's really central to the thinking with this technique. "Heal the spine, and all else will follow" is a quote I recall hearing from one of these practitioners.
The way I see it with any of these different techniques is one of : Don't Knock It Until You Try It! I've seen and heard some pretty phenomenal stories. There's no harm in it so, hey, if it works for you great...
Image Source: What is Upper Cervical Specific Chiropractic?
Additional Reading Resources:
- Pillows for Patients who Suffer from Headaches
- What one can do 4 A Pinched Nerve in the Neck
- Understanding how posture can affect Your Health
- Change Your Pillow if you Aren't Sleeping at Night
- Home Treatment options for Someone with Forward Head Posture
