Expert: Robert A. Arnone, DC - 7/25/2008

Question
hi! yesterday i had a fall in work were i slipped and fell on my bottom. immediately i couldn't breathe and was in severe pain and was taken to the ER. docs said nothing was broken and that my back pain is muscular. whole body is aching now, arms legs everywhere. I just wondered though why would a fall on my bottom cause temporary severe difficulty breathing? im interested to know how these things work. thanks!

Answer
Amanda,
Your Upper Cervical Spine has no bony locks to prevent it from moving as the rest of the spine does have bony locks.  Therefore this is considered the weakest link in the chain although it is the most important.   When a person falls on their spine(even the bottom), it send the energy up through the spine to the weakest link which is the Upper Cervical Area.  So hopefully, you can see how a fall on your bottom can impact the Upper Portion of your neck.
Next, The Brainstem resides within the Upper Cervical Spine and also houses the Respiratory Center.  So you see, the upper cervical spine gets misaligned, then it puts pressure on the brainstem.  The brainstem houses the respiratory center and the interference affects your breathing.
Get it?
Any further questions, go right ahead.

Yours in Best Health,
Dr Robert Arnone, DC
Upper Cervical Specific Doctor of Chiropractic
"Brainstem Specialist"
Arnone Specific Chiropractic
711 Old Ballas Road
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
314.995.5719