Expert: Scott F. Gillman, DC, DACBSP - 2/26/2010

Question
Here is a clarification - more details on my original question.  I saw the chiropractor 2x per week for almost 2 months - he had never adjusted the c1 or 2 in the beginning but I was still reacting badly (ie -dizziness, headaches).  The rapid heartbeat happened on my 1st session but not again until the last session. He changed the method of adjustment a couple times but I remained sensitive to neck adjustments.  The last session is when the c1 c2 adjustment happened.  That night I experienced the rapid heart and never went back to the chiropractor.  I called and explained what happened and he didn't know why that happened.  From that point on, it happened every night for about 2 weeks sometimes a couple times a night.  After it tapered off, if I turned my head wrong and my neck popped, it would happen those nights.  It has not happened since around December but I was stretching last night and I heard a pop and thought nothing of it.  Then within the hour, neck pain and rapid heart.  It lasted about 5 hours so I feel I can safely rule out panic attack.  No I am not on any medication at all.  I thought the problem was over but got scared when it happened again last night and am not able to find answers from my doctors or on line.  Thank you again for helping and responding.  I really appreciate any ideas or imput.

Carol


Hello! The expert can't answer your question.

Your Question was:

I had gone to a chiropractor in October for neck pain %26 tmj.  He manipulated my c1 %26 c2 one session and I felt foggy headed all day.  That night I woke up about 3 hours after going to bed and felt very hot and also a heavy uncomfortable feeling.  When I moved my body to roll over I felt a whooshing sensation and my heart began to beat rapidly.  It lasted about 45 minutes and when it went away I felt cold %26 shaky and my neck was sore.  This has happened a number of times and it always involves some popping in my neck.  It happened again last night- I had gotten up in the night and my neck was tight so I stretched it.  I heard a pop and went back to bed.  Within minutes my heart began to beat extremely fast and I was warm feeling.  This time my heart is still somewhat fast and it has been 5 hours.  My neck also really hurts.  I have talked to the chiropractor, a physical therapist, ER doctors and my own doctor.  None of them even seem concerned and are passing it off as p
anic attacks.  I know this is neck related.  Any ideas what is happening.  Thank you.

Following is the reason:

Carol,

You stated you went to a chiropractor in October (2009?), but then also stated that this has happened "a number of times."    Do you mean that it happened a number of times since the first time in October? Or have you had it a number of times including episodes prior the chioropractor?  Do you currently already take antianxiety or antidepressant medications?  There are, in theory, connections to neck joint structures and neck region nerves that are such that straining these or irritating these structures can cause "sympathetic nervous system" stimulation, similar to what you'd feel if you got scared and were going to pass out.   This is seen sometimes in whiplash injuries.  But I need to know more before being able to truly answer your question.

'Dr. G

Answer
Carol,

Your situation really is unusual.  I would want to know if you have any segment instability in your neck.   In other words, do you have a vertebra in your neck that is not held together well by ligaments such that one bone slides off another when you turn your head.  Simple x-ray can be helpful in determining this, where the x-ray is taken with your head fully flexed down and fully extended back, and with you looking fully to your left and fully to your right.  It may provide some clues.   If you have rheumatoid arthritis, your ligaments are more subject to being lax and thus can create instability.   If you've had a head or neck injury, it can cause damage to the ligaments and thus create instability.  Another option is to rule out any tissue disease, and this means MRI of the cervical spine.  Currently there is an improved MRI technology called 3-D imaging which doesn't cost any more and doesn't take any longer to perform.  You must ask the MRI center if they offer it.  It will rule out unlikely prospects such as spinal cord tumors or spinal cord "syyinx."  It can also rule out significant arthritic processes such degenerated discs with surrounding bone spurs that might be affecting nerves.  Basically, you may need to consider imaging to rule out problems that could explain your symptoms.  Otherwise, you have to avoid neck joint manipulation, neck stretching, or any other neck activities while giving your body time to change what it is doing (or not change, if that's the case).   Didn't your doctors discuss this with you?

'Hope this was helpful.

Dr. G