Meniere’s disease is a disorder of the inner ear that causes:
- Episodes of vertigo
- Tinnitus
- A feeling of congestion in the affected ear
- Hearing loss
A report in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research holds out hope for those suffering from this debilitating condition. The purpose of the study was to look at a possible cause of Meniere’s disease: a misalignment of the bones of the upper neck due to whiplash or head trauma.
What the Study Revealed
The 300 patients involved in the study were asked to rate the intensity of their symptoms on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the worst. Before care was administered, the average patient score came in at an 8.5. In just 6 weeks of upper cervical care, these patients were reevaluated. Amazingly, their symptoms reduced to 3.0! A year later, it was down to 2.0, after two years it was 1.4, and symptoms were at 0.9 after three years of care! This means that these patients saw more than a 90% improvement.
Out of these 300 patients, all but 9 of them said their vertigo improved drastically. Vertigo is one of the major symptoms of Meniere’s disease and can be the hardest to cope with. They also reported no side effects, except 3% who had minor headaches.
This information shows how important it is for anyone who has had trauma to the head or neck to seek the care of an upper cervical chiropractor. Why is this so effective?
Meniere’s Disease Helped by Spinal Alignment
Here at Wellspring Centre for Body Balance in Ashland, Oregon, we focus on the top bone of the spine, the atlas (C1 vertebra). If the atlas becomes misaligned, it can put pressure on the brainstem and also affect the nerves that are connected to the inner ear, leading to the symptoms of Meniere’s disease. By correcting the misalignment with a precise, gentle method, the body can repair the damage done and communication can be restored, helping our patients get similar results to those mentioned in the study above.
Contact us to schedule a complimentary Upper Cervical consultation.