Pregnancy and Delivery with an Aligned Spine: Doesn’t it just make Sense?

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Back pain in pregnancy is very common. It is estimated that between 50% and 80% of women experience some form of back pain during pregnancy.  Such pain can range from mild pain associated with specific activities to acute back pain that can become chronic back pain if not properly addressed.

Studies show that lower back pain in pregnancy usually occurs between the fifth and seventh month of being pregnant. In some cases, pregnancy pain in the lower back can begin as early as 8 to 12 weeks after becoming pregnant.  Women with pre-existing lower back problems are at higher risk for back pain, and their back pain can occur earlier in the pregnancy.

Neck and Mid-Back pain are also common during pregnancy.  When a woman’s body begins to change during pregnancy, pre-existing spinal misalignments have a tendency to get worse.  As the center of gravity begins to change, ligamentous structure and hormones begin to be altered.

Most women respond very well to upper cervical chiropractic during pregnancy.  conditions like sciatica, back and neck pain, digestive issues and headaches are just a few of the conditions that pregnant women see terrific results.

The results of upper cervical chiropractic is an aligned spine and pelvis which can make for a much easier delivery for both Mom and baby.  Recently had a Mom who was properly aligned with her second pregnancy.  She reported that the delivery was much easier and required no forceps or vacuum extraction.

In my office we are blessed to help many women who are pregnant with a variety of different health issues.  Frequently we can work without x-rays initially based on the situation.  Ivette is one of our patients who began her care when she was pregnant and is so glad that she did.  Here is her story…

“When I first started my treatment with Doctor Davis I had problems with my upper back and neck area, my lower back and my right hand would get numb and there were times when I couldn’t move it at all.  I also had a lot of digestive problems.

 I decided to come because my Mom was doing so well with her therapy.  When I first came in I was 2 months pregnant with my second child and immediately I started to notice a difference in all of the symptoms. 

 Even my morning sickness greatly improved!

 I would not only recommend the therapy that NUCCA Chiropractors offer but I would highly recommend Dr. Davis’s office.  The whole staff truly cares about their patients.

 Now thanks to them I am finally in control of not only my health but also my life!”

If you or someone you know is pregnant, it’s a great time to get your spine in proper alignment!

Dr. William R. Davis Jr., D.C. is a Carlsbad Chiropractor and Upper Cervical Specialist. He is in private practice in Southern California in the city of Vista. He specializes in correcting problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems. More information can be found on his website at http://www.nuccawellness.com

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Sciatic Pain in both legs and the Upper Neck?

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A frequent condition that I see in practice is what’s called Sciatica.  Sciatica is pain or other symptoms that affect the legs that originate in the lower back where the sciatic nerve originates.  Sciatica that affects both legs is less common than one sided sciatic nerve pain.  When the sciatica affects both legs the symptoms can be highly variable.  Some patients demonstrate pain only.  While others experience numbness, tingling, weakness or achy pain in different areas of the lower back, buttocks, legs and feet.

Being an upper cervical chiropractor many people cannot understand how I can get such good results with lower back and leg pain.  But the truth is one of the most common conditions that I see in my practice is lower back pain with or without leg pain or sciatica.

So what does the neck have to do with the lower back and legs?

Upper neck misalignments cause the posture of the body to be altered.  Accidents and injuries to the head and neck will tear loose the tissue that holds the spine in place which will create a weakness and allow the spine to break down and lock into a stressed position.

The most movable bone in the body is located at the base of the skull and is called the Atlas.  When the Atlas has lost it’s normal position the weight of the head is shifted to one side or the other.

Once this shift has taken place the body will begin to compensate.  One of the shoulders will typically become lower and the pelvis will distort in order to compensate for lack of balance in the upper neck.

This Functional Pelvic Distortion is the underlying factor in many sciatic cases.  This twisting and tilting of the pelvis causes a tethering on the sciatic nerve or nerves, inflammation and muscle spasms in most cases.

Here is an example from my office just last month.

Jim had lower back pain for years and was seeking help for severe degenerative disc disease in the lower back from a spinal decompression center in the area.  After receiving the spinal decompression treatment his lower back pain increased and eventually he began getting intense sciatica down both legs.

He was referred to our office by a friend and came in quite sceptical that an upper cervical correction could help his lower back and legs.  But at the encouragement of his friend he decided to give it a shot.

He had a history of severe head and neck traumas including several concussions and a auto racing crash at 145 mph.

He was assessed and found to have significant postural problems originating from the upper neck.  His head and neck were markedly off to the right side and his pelvis was severely tilted and twisted 3 degrees from level.  His thermographic scans showed severe inflammation in the upper neck and lower back.

He had lower back pain mostly on the left side and leg pain from the buttock to the foot on the left and sporadically on the right as well.  He also had numbness and tingling on both sides worse in the feet.

He noticed if he moved his head back into extension it would increase the leg pain. 

He was barely walking, could not sit for more than 5 minutes and was taking 4 Codeines and 12 Advil per day!

His x-rays showed significant disc degeneration in the lower back and neck and a very complicated and unstable upper cervical misalignment.

We began working on him and results were slow because of the instability of his misalignment.  Once he began to hold his correction and the pressure remained off of the nerves for prolonged periods of time, his pain began slowing improving.  A 30% reduction in the pain and the majority of the numbness in the legs was gone in the first month.  He is in his second month now and his corrections are holding better and better.  His hips stay level for weeks at a time and now he is completely off of the pain pills and able to sit for long periods of time again and his pain has gone from a constant 10/10 pain to a sporadic 3/10 pain that has localized to one leg.  He and his wife just left on a week long cruise and he is very happy!

I never did any treatment on his lower back!  I only corrected the underlying postural problems in the spine that were causing the lower back pain and the sciatica.  By balancing out the head and the neck the pelvis is able to stay level and the pressure stays off the nerves.

Who do you know that has recurring lower back pain or sciatica?  Who do you know that is considering surgery, decompression, injections or other overpriced and dangerous options?

The best questions to ask to see if upper cervical chiropractic could help you is…

Have you had head or neck traumas in the past?

Do you have obvious postural issues?  Head tilts to one side, shoulders uneven, etc.

The results that I see are common in upper cervical offices.  If you google upper cervical and sciatica you will see many of the patients who have been helped with sciatica across the country.

To find out if upper cervical chiropractic is right for you go to www.nuccawellness.com, www.nucca.org or www.upcspine.com and find a doctor in your area today.

Dr. William R. Davis Jr., D.C. is a Carlsbad Chiropractor and Upper Cervical Specialist. He is in private practice in Southern California in the city of Vista. He specializes in correcting problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems. More information can be found on his website at http://www.nuccawellness.com

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Does Guaifenesin work for Fibromyalgia?

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Fibromyalgia is a complicated condition that can involve all body systems.  There are many so called medication cures available, such as Lyrica, Welbutrin and Guaifenesin.

The problem is no medication is without side effects despite what the websites tell you.  Today we are going to look at one of the most common medical treatments available Guaifenesin.

What is Guaifenesin?

According to drugs.com Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It helps loosen congestion in your chest and throat, making it easier to cough out through your mouth.  Guaifenesin is used to reduce chest congestion caused by the common cold, infections, or allergies.

“Use guaifenesin exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.”

Do not give guaifenesin to a child younger than 4 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children. Drink extra fluids to help loosen the congestion and lubricate your throat while you are taking this medication. This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

The City of Hope’s Fibromyalgia Treatment Center website says “We now use guaifenesin for fibromyalgia because it has no side effects and is even safe for children.”

Really?  No side effects?  Safe for Children?

Well there might be some side effects such as dizziness; excitability; headache; nausea; nervousness or anxiety; trouble sleeping; weakness. 

And sometimes some…

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); difficulty urinating; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; seizures; severe dizziness, lightheadedness, or headache; tremor.

But other than that no big deal?!

Because it helps get rid of uric acid, guaifenesin was chosen in the 1990s for the experimental guaifenesin protocol – a treatment for fibromyalgia. Proponents of the guaifenesin protocol believe that it treats fibromyalgia by removing excess phosphate from the body.  However, a consumer alert on the Fibromyalgia Network’s website (http://www.fmnetnews.com/resources-alert-product6.php) states that Dr. St. Amand’s claims of guaifenesin’s effects on fibromyalgia are groundless, and cites double blind research by Robert Bennett, M.D. which found no significant differences between guaifenesin and a placebo in terms of any effect on fibromyalgia or its markers.

Could taking a medication that eliminates phosphates from the body be useful?  If the phosphates are the underlying cause of the Fibromyalgia symptoms then yes.  But even then, nutritional approaches could do the same thing without all of the side effects.

Fibromyalgia is obviously a multifactorial condition.  Chemical, emotional and physical connections are common.  But if the underlying cause is primarily related to the physical body then Guaifenesin or any other chemical approach will have little to no results.

Physical traumas especially to the head and neck are extremely important to make note of and to identify if an undetected injury to the brain stem could be the cause.  Brain stem pressure from a upper neck misalignment can be devastating to the human body.  All body systems can be effected. 

Here is an example.  Car crashes and dental work had caused the misalignment that Una was struggling with…or what her doctor’s called Fibromyalgia.  Here is her experience with the NUCCA method of spinal correction that gently and precisely removes pressure from the brain stem so the brain and body communication is restored…

“When I saw Dr. Davis for the first time, my entire body was racked with pain.  I had suffered with Fibromyalgia for 9 years!  At that time I was despondent and was on the verge of hopelessness.  Someone recommended Dr. Davis to me and I hoped and prayed that he would be able to help me. 

 After a thorough assessment he was able to help me!  My pain has decreased, my energy has increased, I am sleeping much better, my digestion has improved, my spirits are lifted, I feel younger, my activity levels have increased, my creativity and interest in new ideas has returned, my dependence on pain medications has decreased and my bladder function is better!

My activities that I do every day are so much easier-gardening, sewing, entertaining, concentration, participating in church activities, and even travelling.  Now that I am doing better physically and mentally the quality of my life and family has improved immensely.

 Please do not hesitate to see Dr. Davis and get evaluated.  Doing so will be one of the most important steps you will take to improve your quality of life.  When you are in pain it can take your joy, peace and interest out of life, it suppresses your creativity and also it effects others around you.

 I have really enjoyed the whole experience at Breath of Life, from the way Dr. Davis greets you with his pleasant smile and the professional and courteous way in which the whole staff cares for you. 

 I rate my experience on a scale of 1-10 as a 10++.”

              Una C.                                    Oceanside CA

If you have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and have a history of head or neck trauma then find a NUCCA doctor in your area and get to the cause of the problem without drugs or side effects.  www.nucca.org

Dr. William R. Davis Jr., D.C. is a Carlsbad Chiropractor and Upper Cervical Specialist. He is in private practice in Southern California in the city of Vista. He specializes in correcting problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems. More information can be found on his website at http://www.nuccawellness.com

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Face Pain or Numbness and the Upper Neck

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The link between the upper neck and face pain or numbness, or what’s called Trigeminal Neuralgia or Tic Doulereaux has been studied for many years.  Face pain can be excruciating based on patient reports.  This is one of the most common reasons why depression and suicide are common with this debilitating condition. 

When a person suffers a head or neck injury such as a car accident or fall, the process can begin.  But even a long standing compression on the upper neck such as oral surgery or extensive dental work can be the initiating factor.  Frequently the trauma may have happened months, years or even decades earlier!  The body’s ability to adapt is phenomenal.  But the adaptation process only lasts so long and eventually symptoms will develop.  The symptoms that develop are unique to the individual.

Research is very encouraging to face pain patients.  In one study Dr. Hinson was studying the effects of upper cervical specific chiropractic care on 10 patients diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia.  After only 10 weeks pain measurements decreased by 77%!  Dr. Hinson also found that depression scores had decreased and all patients had seen there pain distribution decrease.  Of the 10 patients in the study 3 of the 10 had no more attacks by the end of the 10 weeks and the other 7 had much less.

In my own office I have seen great changes with Face Pain as well.  One patient who had suffered with excruciating pain following a dental procedure along the right side of her face head and neck found help through the NUCCA procedure, after trying Acupuncture, medications, general chiropractic manipulation and many other treatments.  We saw a 90% reduction in all symptoms in 8 weeks. 

If you know someone who is struggling with face pain or numbness or they have been diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia, then an upper cervical spine evaluation should be performed to see if a head or neck trauma could be the underlying cause.

Dr. William R. Davis Jr., D.C. is a Vista Chiropractor and Upper Cervical Specialist.  He is in private practice in Southern California in the city of Vista.  He specializes in correcting problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck).  This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems. More information can be found on his website at http://www.nuccawellness.com

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