Last year around this time, one of my patients brought in a friend who

had been house bound for over 2 months. Her friend had been under medical

care but continued to suffer with dizziness (vertigo). Her condition

was not improved by medical treatment.

I examined her upper cervical spine and found indications of misalignment

(subluxation) or joint dysfunction.�Very specific x-rays showed the

component of the misalignment, which was corrected during that visit.

The post

x-rays (prescribed by the protocol of the Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic

Technique used in our clinic) indicated a correction of the subluxation.

This patient was improving by that evening and drove herself to her

next visit.

This kind of improvement with vertigo has been common to many of my

patients over my years in practice. I want to make clear that we do not

treat vertigo or hearing disorders, but it is important to know that

when cervical spine joint dysfunction (subluxation), which causes nerve

interference, is removed, many symptoms including vertigo subside. After

all, the first chiropractic adjustment was performed on a deaf man who

regained his hearing.

I want to share the results of a research study published in 1998 in

the European Spine Journal about this devastating disorder.

This study evaluates the significance of disorders of the upper cervical

spine as a cause of vertigo and impaired hearing. Sixty-seven patients

are examined who presented with dizziness. Mobilization and manipulation

techniques were employed with 50 of these patients with a three-month

followup.

Group A consisted of 31 people who were diagnosed with dysfunctions

of the upper cervical spine.�Dysfunctions were found at C1, C2 and C3

levels.�Group B consisted of 19 who did not have cervical spine dysfunction.�Results

showed that 77.4 percent of Group A reported improvement of their chief

symptoms, with five completely free of vertigo.�Group B saw improvement

in 26.3 percent, but no one was free of symptoms.

It is concluded that examination of the motion segment of the upper

cervical spine is important in the diagnosis and treatment of vertigo.

Non-resolved dysfunctions of the upper cervical spine are a common cause

of long-lasting dizziness.

The author goes on to say that he discovered numerous papers and articles

which demonstrate a clear link between hearing disorders and functional

misalignment of the upper cervical spine vertebra, and regularly

found reference to chiropractic manipulation in restoring hearing and

removing

vertigo and dizziness.�He explains that anatomical studies indicate

the connection between our neck muscles and joints and our hearing

and balance

mechanisms.

We will be discussing the details of this study at our Community Health

Talk Thursday, June 24, at 3 p.m. The public is invited to our talk

at Heritage of Peachtree Assisted Living Center, 1967 Hwy 54 West, Fayetteville.� You

can call us for directions or a free consultation at 770-631-7600.

- Dr. Marilyn L. Durden

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