Chiropractors/cranio-vertebral dysfunction

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Expert: Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman - 4/12/2008


Question
I just read your answer to someone about cranio-vertebral dysfunction.  I have something similar and have gone to several doctors who were at a loss or looked at me like I was nuts.  What seems to be associated with this is a ringing in my left ear.   Sometimes it is not so much a ringing in the ear but like I am hearing noise in my neck/head.  Is this truly related?  or, just a coincidence and a different problem?  I have had my neck x-rayed and nothing shows but arthritis (I am 52).  I have had my hearing checked and fine.  I don't know where to go next.  The noise is getting more bothersome.  Thank you for any advice you can give.

Answer
Dear Nancy,

Have you been evaluated by a chiropractic physician?  The experiences you have described do not usually correspond with the experience of a chiropractic patient.  As a chiropractor, I often have patients come to me after other doctors have written them off as a hypochondriac or just plain nuts.  Not to mention that a chiropractor is going to look at the x-rays from a completely different perspective than a medical radiologist will.  They look for pathology only and are usually not concerned with structure or subtle vertebral misalignments at all, however research has proven these misalignments cause movement dysfunction and neurological changes.

Your symptoms can be related to cranio-vertebral dysfunction as the nerves that are in this area of the spine are very sensitive to biomechanical changes and can become affected easily.  There is also a direct connection in this area to the trigeminal ganglion in the neck which has direct connections to the ear, and may create some symptoms. Adjusting in this area definitely has the possibility of relieving your symtomatology, if a biomechanical derangement is the reason you are having them.

Other things to consider are Menieres disease, as this can manifect with buzzing and ringing in the ears, and a possible intercranial pathology, but this would have to be evaluated with an MRI of the brain.

If you haven't been to a chiropractor, I would recommend that you try one out first and mention all the things you have described to me.  Get assessed/examined and see if chiropractic can help...make sure to take your x-rays with you.  Otherwise you may want to be seen by a neurologist or an audiologist, and possibly get the brain scan if nothing else if found.  Good luck Nancy.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net

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Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman

Expertise

I can answer questions on general chiropractic care, sports injury, whiplash and auto crash, mild traumatic brain injury, structural and functional rehabilitation of the spine, nutrition for inflammation and repair, fitness training, nutrition for sports performance and other general health and nutrition related inquiries. I currently lecture on automobile trauma, occupant kinematics, and forensic risk analysis to local EMS, Fire and Police, as well as nutrition and sports injury to community groups. Rest assured all answers are generated from my clinical experience, and scientific research.

Experience

I have accumulated over 1100 hours of post-doctoral training to include; Certifications in Spinal Trauma and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma from the International Chiropractic Association, Certification in Low Speed Auto Crash Reconstruction and Certification in Forensic Risk Analysis from The Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Certified Proficiency in spinal and extremity diagnostic procedures from The Motion Palpation Institute, Certified in Sports Injury and Rehabilitation from the National University of Health Sciences and The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, Nationally Certified Fellow of Structural Rehabilitation from The Chiropractic Biophysics Organization, and I have advanced training in manipulation under anesthesia and nutrition. Feel free to check out my website for course listings: www.suncoasthealthcare.net

Organizations
International Chiropractic Association, Florida Chiropractic Association, American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, American Academy of Pain Management, Chiropractic Biophysics, Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Motion Palpation Organization, American Academy of Manual and Physical Medicine, Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce

Education/Credentials
B.A. (Psychology)The University of Cincinnati B.S. (Human Biology)Cleveland Chiropractic College D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) Cleveland Chiropractic College C.C.S.T. (Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma)The International Chiropractic Association C.C.S.P. (Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician)The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians. *CCST and CCSP 120 hour certification courses are not recognized by the Florida Chiropractic Board due to the fact that they are not 300 hour diplomate level courses*

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