Botox, Brain Surgery or NUCCA?

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Cranial Nerve Compressive Syndromes such as Trigeminal Neuralgia, Bell’s Palsy, Hemifacial spasm or palsy and others.  Are among the most devastating of all health conditions both in pain and social impact. 

The medical approaches to these conditions are extremely invasive, including botox injections.  Botox, or Botulinum toxin as it is known in the scientific community, is a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. 

Another possibility for patients suffering from these types of conditions is a type of brain surgery called Microvascular decompression is a neurosurgical procedure that can have serious complications including death, stroke, hearing loss and facial weakness.  The surgery itself can cost as much as $70 K and has about a 20% success rate. 

If a person has a history of head or neck trauma another question should be asked.  

Is the dysfunction of these cranial nerves related to a misalignment of the upper neck?

New research is suggesting just that.  A recent article published in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research  entitled Resolution of Hemifacial Spasm Following Specific Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care.  Dr. Lucian Henry describes a case study of a 48-year-old male who was able to find the solution to his condition without Botox, brain surgery or any of the side effects.

Here is his story…

48-year-old male presented with left hemifacial spasms of one-year duration, accompanied by neck pain and tension. He reported a tic causing the left eye to blink that sometimes forced the eye to almost close.  He described constant neck pain, centrally located, with tension and grinding on movement.  

He received a total of three chiropractic adjustments over a 13-day period of time, after which time he had a complete resolution of his symptoms. At a 3 month follow up the patient was still asymptomatic.

If you have these types of conditions get your upper neck properly evaluated by a specialist in the detection and correction of these misalignments in the upper neck.

If you are in the Southern California area go to www.nuccawellness.com for more info.  If you are located anywhere else in the country go to www.upcspine.com or www.nucca.org to find a specialist in your area.

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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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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Pinched Nerve or Nerve Interference?…Part 1

Dr. Davis here from Vista…The Nervous system is the master system of the entire body.  When the spine has become misaligned (see a recent article https://nuccadoctordavis.wordpress.com/2010/07/13/is-one-of-your-legs-shorter-than-the-other/) the nervous system which is the brain, the brain stem, the spinal cord and the nerves that go out into the body become less functional and eventually symptoms begin to present themselves.  Which symptoms?  Depends on the person…everyone is different.  However the misalignment of the spine beginning in the upper neck is what changes everything.  Because upper neck misalignments have the most far-reaching effects on the body.  There are 300 Trillion nerves that pass through this fuse box of the body located just below the skull.  Because these upper neck misalignments also cause the most compensations throughout the rest of the spinal column the conditions that can result are numerous.  In my office, I have seen everything from Plantar Fascitis, a foot problem to Ringing in the Ears respond to an upper neck correction that changes the entire body.

So lets look at the distribution of the peripheral nerves and what types of conditions can result from problems in different areas…

First…there are 3 nerves that come out of the neck into the head…

• One supplies the muscles of the scalp and the inner and middle ear-this can lead to conditions like stress headaches, dizziness, dis-equilibrium, ear infections and ringing in the ears
• The next supplies the sinuses and eyes-dysfunction here can lead to sinus problems-infections & congestion, allergies, vascular congestion and hay fever
• Then the third nerve goes to the teeth, gums and jaw-this can be associated with jaw pain or TMJ, clicking, face pain, teeth pain etc.

The next nerve goes to supply the muscles of the neck-problems here can lead to stiffness and pain in the neck

Next we have 3 nerves that come out of the neck and go into the arms

• The first goes across the shoulder, down the arm and into the thumb & first two fingers-problems here can cause shoulder pain, arm pain or weakness and numbness and tingling into the arm and hand
• The second goes down the middle of the arm and into the middle two fingers-problems here can lead to numbness or tingling, pain or weakness into the arm or hand
• The third goes into the thyroid, under the shoulder-blade, under the arm, into the elbow, and into the last three fingers-this can create thyroid dysfunction, pain between the shoulder blades, numbness, tingling, pain or weakness into the elbow, arm or hand

Next time we will look at where the rest of these nerves go in part 2 of this blog post…

If you know someone who is struggling with one of the conditions listed above or many of them…an Atlas misalignment could be the cause…get your spine and nerve system evaluated today….Breath of Life in Vista CA is a good place to start if you are in the San Diego County area.  Anywhere else go to www.nucca.org to find a doc in your area.

God Bless and Be Well,

Dr. Davis

Breath of Life, Upper Cervical Care 760-945-1345

161 Thunder Drive, Suite 104, Vista CA 92083

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Is one of your legs shorter than the other?

Dr. Davis here from Vista…On this blog we frequently speak of the misaligned spine and how it affects the health and function of our bodies.  Over the weekend I spent some time with a legendary NUCCA Doctor named Dr. Robert Brooks and he broke down the misaligned spine into such a clear and precise way that I wanted to share it with you…

The first thing that happens is there is an accident or injury that tears loose the connective tissue that holds the spine together.  This creates a weakness that allows the spine to break down and lock into a stressed position.  Lying down one of the legs is shorter and one is longer, standing up one hip is higher and one is lower, the head is tilted to the side, there is a twisting of the frame of the body…muscles are imbalanced, movement is abnormal and it creates a progressive condition that over time will wear down the structures of the body.

The key to understanding why the misaligned spine is so devastating to the function of the body is to see how closely related the nervous system is to the structure of the body.  When the structure is misaligned it can affect the brain, brainstem, the spinal cord and the nerves that make your body work.  Nerves from the brain primarily do 4 things..

1.  Every movement we make is from a nerve

2.  Everything that we sense or feel

3.  Control and regulation of every body function: (digestion, circulation, respiration, reproduction, body chemistry, etc.)

4.  And how we relate to the outside world is through the nervous system

So how many different problems could be associated with a misaligned spine?  There are over 100 different conditions in the literature that have either been directly caused by misalignments in the spine or associated with the misalignment.

How important is it to have your spine in alignment?  It is a no brainer to keep your spine in alignment throughout life.  Why is NUCCA so effective at restoring the spine to its normal position and then keeping it there throughout life?  In order to balance the spine the head must be balanced over the top of the spine.  Where the head goes the rest of the spine will follow.  If the atlas which sits underneath the head has been misaligned by accidents or injuries usually to the head, neck or spine then that will begin to shift the alignment of the entire rest of the spinal column creating an imbalance at the pelvis and an apparent short leg.  Many people will say that they can get those legs even…but how long will they stay that way?  That is the difference with upper cervical procedures like NUCCA and Orthospinology is the stability of the alignment after the correction.

Manipulation feels good and helps lots of people…but I don’t want to have to get adjusted once or twice a week to maintain my alignment.  I would rather have a long-term solution…like NUCCA.

Find out more at Upper Cervical Healthcare Simplified or www.nuccawellness.com or call to schedule a complimentary consultation to see if you are a candidate for NUCCA spinal care today!!!   760-945-1345

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Sinus Problems, Neck Pain, Arm Tingling and more relieved with NUCCA

Here is another great story of health and well being restored through NUCCA care…read Lourdes story below…

“When I first came to see Dr. Davis as was having right arm pain and weakness and tingling, facial pain, left jaw pain, sinus problems, sleeping problems and a vibratory feeling throughout my body!  Since I started with the adjustments a month and a half ago I am able to sleep better and more deeply, my sinuses are finally clear!  It is such a relief after suffering for so many years with this condition.  My arm is stronger and I can move it freely without pain.  No more trembling throughout my body or numbness at the tip of the fingers.  I am breathing so much better and have seen so many other changes in my quality of life and the health of my body. 

 I would encourage anyone to definitely try this type of care with the expectation that you are going to see good results with your problem and your overall health.  I love sharing my testimony of my successful experience with my family, friends, and co-workers.  I highly recommend Dr. Davis because he is not only an experienced Doctor who knows what he is doing but also an honest and compassionate person.

 I have really enjoyed my experience at Breath of Life.  Both Dr. Davis and Linde are very kind.  All parts of your care are very well explained.  I have also enjoyed the environment of the office from the nice music, the reading material, to the comfortable and cozy chairs for relaxing after the adjustment.”

Lourdes A.

Is your body working the way that it was designed?  If not, find out if NUCCA care could help you live the life that you were designed for….760-945-1345  www.nuccawellness.com

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NUCCA and Trigeminal Neuralgia-Headaches and Face Pain

Trigeminal Neuralgia has been called the suicide disease….because the pain is so intense that many long time sufferers choose suicide.  Here is an example of a patient from our office who found the help she needed….

“NUCCA is exactly what my body needed!”

 “I came to Dr. Davis’s office with the hope of getting to the root of a year long battle with headaches.  These headaches would feel like a nerve reaction where the pain would shoot from my upper neck into my head and right jaw and face.  I was spending 2-3 days per week in bed because of these headaches.  I had been to medical doctors, chiropractors for manipulation, massage therapists, acupuncture, shiatsu massage with no significant change.  My sleeping was greatly affected and I was tired all the time.

 I have been amazed at how much of my energy was going into the chronic pain in my head.  I have been sleeping so much better, waking up in the morning feeling good and I have energy to finish my day since my NUCCA treatments!

 My headaches have decreased significantly and the chronic pressure is gone!  The pressure on the nerves has been relieved!  It is very well worth taking the steps to see if NUCCA can help with your condition.  NUCCA is exactly what I needed!

 I really appreciate the care and patience of Dr. Davis.  He has taken the time explain my many questions.  I am leaving on a 6 month mission trip and as soon as I get back one of my first stops will be Breath of Life!”

Heather S.                                                                                                                                             June 10, 2010

Heather is going to be in Nicaragua for the next 6 months.  She was originally supposed to leave a month ago but she postponed her trip because she finally found the cause of her pain.  She is so excited about what upper cervical care has done for her that while in Nicaragua she is going to fly 2 hours to Miami to see a NUCCA specialist!

Tell a Friend or Family member who is struggling with their health today!   www.nuccawellness.com

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