What is cervicogenic vertigo?

Cervicogenic vertigo refers to dizziness or vertigo that arises from a problem in the neck (cervical) region. It is thought to occur due to a disturbance in the sensory input from the neck that is normally processed by the brainstem and vestibular system.

The cervical spine (neck) is composed of seven vertebrae and is responsible for providing support to the head and allowing for movement of the head and neck. The cervical spine also contains important nerves and blood vessels that supply the head and neck region.

Cervicogenic vertigo can occur due to several reasons such as cervical arthritis, whiplash injuries, cervical disc degeneration or herniation, and other conditions that affect the cervical spine. When these structures become damaged or irritated, they can send abnormal signals to the brainstem, which may lead to symptoms of dizziness or vertigo.

Symptoms of cervicogenic vertigo may include:

• Dizziness or vertigo that is triggered by the movement of the head or neck

• Neck pain or stiffness

• Headaches

• Nausea

• Visual disturbances

• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

The diagnosis of cervicogenic vertigo can be challenging, as it requires a thorough evaluation of the neck and vestibular system. Treatment typically involves a combination of physical therapy, chiropractic care, and medication to reduce pain and inflammation. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to address underlying structural issues in the cervical spine.

Do I have a Concussion?

The content in this post is intended for educational purposes only. No information in this post is to be interpreted as medical advice, recommendations, or prescription. If you think you have a concussion, are concerned about your symptoms, or have further questions, make an appointment here, give us an email here: drmurdoch@basecampclinic.com, or contact your medical provider.

Picture this…

You’re speeding down a single track. You have run this same route three times today and you are really feeling the flow. Only two more turns until you are done this run. Wait. Was that root there last run?

Next thing you know, you are looking up at the sky, plenty of dirt on your forearms, and a fern leaf or two shoved up your sleeve.

You think you are ok. Nothing feels broken. A bit of blood, but that is to be expected. Your neck hurts and you have a mild headache, but other than that, everything feels ok. You don’t think you hit your head, but you can’t be sure. Then you think to yourself... ‘Do I have a concussion?’

What this article covers:

• What are the symptoms of a concussion

• How do I know if I have a concussion?

• How long does it take to recover? Will I have symptoms forever?

• What is a concussion?

• What to do if I think I have a concussion?

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What are the symptoms of a concussion and how do I know if I have a concussion?

Concussion Symptoms: 

• Headache

• Dizziness and balance changes

• Difficulty with concentration

• Trouble with Sleep

• Mood changes including anxiety and depression

• Forgetfulness

• Fatigue

• Loss of consciousness

• Light or Noise sensitivity

The list of the signs of concussion can seem endless and vague. One aspect of concussions that makes them so hard to deal with is that you are unlikely to have all of the symptoms, and just because you DO NOT have any of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that you are concussion-free. This can be confusing for medical professionals, let alone an athlete or weekend warrior who suspects they might have a concussion. Part of the problem is that symptoms may not show up immediately, but instead take 24-48 hours to appear. (1)

With this in mind… How do you know if you have a concussion? How does a Chiropractor or a Physical Therapist in Vernon, BC test you for a concussion? This can be a nuanced question, but there are a few rules that you can follow. Let’s talk about how to tell if you have a concussion.

How do you know if you have a concussion?

SHORT VERSION: If you experience an injury and have ANY of the symptoms listed above, you likely have a concussion. It is recommended that you seek an evaluation by a qualified professional within 72 hours of the initial injury. If you are unsure who to see in your area, please reach out to me at drmurdoch@basecampclinic.com and I will help you find someone.

“I have a headache and some trouble with sleep! Does that automatically mean that I have a concussion?” The short answer is No. In general, to get a concussion you need to have a mechanism of injury. In other words, concussions need to have some sort of event that causes them.

These injuries usually involve some combination of the following:

• Moderate to high speeds

• Sudden changes in direction

• Head or body impact

Like the symptoms, we do not need to have all of these factors in order to get a concussion. One common question is “do you need to hit your head to get a concussion?” and the definitive answer is NO. You can experience a concussion without hitting your head. If after a fall, car accident, sports collision or unexpected impact you have any of the symptoms above, you most likely have a concussion. (1)

How does my Dr. know that I have a concussion? 

The diagnosis of a concussion is primarily based on a thorough history (what happened) and a symptom inventory (see above list of symptoms). As a clinician, we then used the physical exam to rule out anything that might be more serious (e.g. broken bones or more serious brain injury) and determine the most probable cause of the symptoms you are experiencing. (1)

In short, if you have a mechanism of injury consistent with concussions and any of the above symptoms, you likely have a concussion and should get an evaluation.

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Recovery after a Concussion

How long does it take to recover from a concussion? 

The good news about concussions is that most people fully recover from them completely and in a relatively short amount of time. The tricky part about concussions though, is that you will typically feel better before your brain has healed, which puts you at risk of a second injury with more serious consequences. Every person who experiences a concussion recovers somewhat differently, however, there are a few rules we can use to predict recovery. (2)

1. Concussion symptoms usually last 7-14 days following the injury

2. Symptoms often get worse 24-72 hours following a concussion

3. Those with less severe concussion symptoms are more likely to recover quickly

4. Symptoms resolve before the brain has recovered

When can I get back to doing what I love?

Despite feeling better within a relatively short amount of time, returning to the activity that caused the concussion in the first place is dangerous. The brain heals slowly and takes about 30 days to recover to baseline for most concussions. (2) As long as your symptoms do not persist or return, in general, you can return to your activity at about 30 days after a concussion without increased risk or permanent or lasting damage. It is, however, recommended that you return to your activity gradually, rather than back to 100% on day one (I am looking at you single track riders). 

Will I have symptoms forever?

Most people who experience a concussion fully recover with no residual injuries. If you are experiencing symptoms that last longer than 2 weeks then you need to get a thorough evaluation by someone who knows what they are doing. If you receive proper treatment then most people who have persistent symptoms still experience full recovery. A portion of patients have persistent symptoms that do not resolve. These people can still experience significant relief with treatment.

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When should I go see someone if I think I have a concussion?

So… you went over your handlebars. What now? When should you see someone if you think you have a concussion? I recommend seeing a qualified clinician as soon as possible following an injury if you think you have a concussion. Not only will this help you rule out anything more severe, it will also help you recover FASTER because early interventions with concussions are the key to fast and effective recovery. The ideal timeframe for an evaluation happens within 72 hours of injury.  

If you think you have a concussion or someone you know and care about has a concussion, contact me ASAP and we can get you on the road to recovery.

drmurdoch@basecampclinic.com

NOTE: If you have severe symptoms (loss of consciousness, vomiting, sustained double vision, passing out) then you need to go to the emergency room as soon as possible.

Summary

Here is the bullet:

• Concussions are very common and, while they should be taken seriously, most people completely recover within a short time.

• Most common symptoms include headache, neck pain, and dizziness, but anyone who has an injury involving the head and neck should get evaluated

• Concussions are diagnosed by a history and a physical exam, in which the primary goal is ruling out a more serious injury

• A timely exam and treatment can enhance healing and recovery. Guidance can help decrease the chance of re-injury or persistent symptoms.

Have a question about concussions? Shoot me an email: drmurdoch@basecampclinic.com or give me a call: 250-307-7819

For a great video on concussions, check this video from TED: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvjK-4NXRsM

Author: Dr. Mark Murdoch, Chiropractor and Co-Founder at Base Camp Chiropractic and Sports Rehab in Vernon, BC.

Mark Murdoch is a Doctor of Chiropractic with a Master’s Degree in Sports Medicine.

www.BaseCampClinic.com

Contact: drmurdoch@basecampclinic.com

Instagram: Base.Camp.Doc

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References:

1. Jackson, W. T., & Starling, A. J (2018) Concussion Evaluation and Management. The Medical Clinics of North America. 

2. Vagnozzi et al., 2010.

3. SCAT 5

Is your Breathing on Point?

As a Chiropractor in Vernon, I see a lot of runners. I am sure this is the same for most Vernon Chiropractors and Physiotherapists, but this is something that is often overlooked. In this article, Dr Alex Hueston shares his experience transitioning from road running in his training to a trail race.

Written by Dr. Alex Hueston. Chiropractor at Young Health Management in Duncan, BC (Vancouver Island). www.younghealthmgmt.com

Breath in, Breath out . . . Sounds simple right?!

Yes and no. Today in this post we are going to talk about the power of your breath and how in my chiropractic treatments I use breathing techniques to help a lot of my patients with various types of pain. 

When we are talking about breathing we can divide breathing into two categories: diaphragmatic breathing and accessory breathing. Accessory breathing refers to the use of the accessory ventilation musculature (scalene, the sternocleidomastoid, the pectoralis major, the trapezius, and the external intercostals). This type of breathing is designed to be used in physically and emotionally stressful environments. 

How do I know if I am breathing with my accessory muscles?

When these muscles are used, we will see the chest and shoulders rise. This may be why when we get scared we get the feeling our heart is jumping out of our chest as we are likely rapidly recruiting these muscles. With the rise in chronic stress in the population, more and more people are breathing via stress pathways leading to tension-like symptoms in their upper back, shoulders, the neck that can even cause headaches called tension headaches. 

How can I improve my breathing?

The good news is there are many health disciplines that can coach people with their breathing from chiropractors and physical therapists to kinesiologists and yoga instructors. 

Today I am going to go through a step-by-step strategy on how to perform diaphragmatic breathing. With the use of diaphragmatic breathing, we can see a potential decrease in heart rate and blood pressure, relaxation-related hormonal changes and improvements in core stabilization. 

Let’s get started!

Step-by-Step Diaphragmatic Breathing

Beginning Diaphragmatic Breathing

• Start by lying down on your back in a comfortable position. You may have your head and legs supported if you prefer.

• Place one hand on your chest and the other hand over your belly button.

• Inhale through your nose, draw your breath down to your stomach and you should feel your stomach/abdomen push up into your bottom hand while your chest remains still. 

• Exhaling you should then feel your abdomen drop back down to the floor while your chest continues to remain still. 

• Repeat this sequence for up to 5-10 minutes at a time. You can perform this exercise multiple times a day.

Advanced Diaphragmatic Breathing

If you can have been performing the above breathing exercise, I encourage you try advancing to what I call “360-degree breathing”

Breathing Into Your Sides

• Lying down as you were previously, place your hands now on the lowest rib at your side so your thumbs and pointing towards your back and your remaining fingers are pointing towards your belly button.

• When inhaling, visualize and feel your abdomen push out into your hands while your chest remains still. 

• When exhaling, bring your abdomen back to the starting position. 

• Perform this for at least 10 consecutive repetitions

Breathing Into Your Back

• Lying down as you were previously, place your hands now so they are behind your back between your hip and ribs

• When inhaling, visualize and feel your abdomen apply pressure on your hands increasing the pressure of your back on the floor. Make sure your chest remains still. 

• When exhaling, release that pressure and return to the starting position. 

• Typically this is easier to feel with a longer, deep breath. 

360-Degree Breathing

• You have now felt all the directions your breath can move through diaphragmatic breathing and now it is time to try to breathe into all these directions at once. 

• If you need feedback it may help to loosely put a belt around the level of your belly button. When inhaling, visualize putting equal pressure on the belt from all directions. Again the chest should remain still throughout. 

Practice, Practice, Practice

Like all exercises, breathing takes patience and consistent practice to build up a mind-body connection. The more often you practice on your breath, the more natural it will become and the more often you will find yourself using it in your daily life. 

I hope this exercise helped you today and if you are looking for help with your road to recovery book an appointment for an initial assessment and treatment with myself or another member of the Young Health Management team. 

Author:

Dr. Alex Hueston is a Chiropractor in Duncan, BC at the Young Health Management clinic. www.younghealthmgmt.com

The Truth about Posture

As a Chiropractor in Vernon, one of the most common questions I receive is, how can I improve my posture while sitting at my desk?

My colleague and friend, Dr. Kurtis Gryba, has lots to say on this one:

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Written by Dr. Kurtis Gryba. Chiropractor at E3 Chiropractic and Wellness in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. www.e3chiropractic.com

Many factors contribute to proper posture when sitting at a desk. Most commonly discussed are the strength and mobility of your neck and mid-back along with the ergonomics of how your desk is set up. While these all play a very important role in limiting the development of low back pain, or neck pain while sitting, they still do not answer the question, “What is the best posture?”

“What is the best posture?” is a trick question. It is not a static position, but rather the best posture is to move around and frequently change positions to allow your body a chance to reset.

“Perfect posture” is typically described as sitting up straight, with your shoulders pulled back and your head tall. The problem is, if you are sitting in “perfect posture” for 8 hours a day, there is a pretty good chance you will still feel low back pain or neck pain by the end of it. The reality is that even in “perfect posture” the body does not tolerate being immobile for long.

A truly perfect posture cannot be static, instead, we need a more dynamic strategy. Performing exercises to build strength and increase mobility is essential to helping your body tolerate extended periods of static sitting, however, the key to feeling better at the end of a long workday is simply getting up and moving around.

Hierarchy of Posture 

I often talk about a “hierarchy” of posture. 

1. Dynamic Posture 

   • Take frequent breaks throughout the day to stand up and move. 

   • Movement encourages fluid movement within our joints, which transfers nutrients to the bones. This keeps our bones healthy! 

2. Good Posture 

   • If you’re not and move throughout the day, a tall posture is better than a slumped posture. 

   • This may be the case during a flight or a long drive. 

   • Consider taking a rolled-up towel and placing it along your low back just above your belt line.

3. Poor Posture 

   • Avoid this posture as much as possible for extended periods of time! 

   • Poor posture stretches our ligaments and tendon. If they stay stretched for a prolonged time, it can eventually lead to injury. 

When is Posture Important? 

Although a static posture is the most ideal posture throughout the day, there are 2 circumstances that having good posture is ideal. 

1. Weight Lifting 

   • This is more so referred to as having proper form for your lift. 

   • Proper form will ensure that your bones, muscles and joints are sharing the load equally. 

   • The equal sharing of forces will reduce your risk for injury. 

2. Long Drives or Flights 

   • Poor posture is notorious for stressing and stretching our ligaments and tendons. 

   • Our ligaments have an elastic nature to them, and if elastic materials are stretched for too long, a phenomenon called “creep” can occur. 

   • “Creep” is not referring to your weird neighbour. Creep is when something elastic is stretched too far, for too long, that it begins to lose its elastic properties. 

   • Creep of ligaments can result in joint laxity. 

Micro Breaks

Good “dynamic posture” does not require long breaks throughout the day that disrupt your workflow. Instead, we recommend performing “microbreaks” throughout the workday. This may include incorporating simple neck stretches every 20-30 minutes or taking a posture break. These microbreaks are designed to take place every hour or so, for only 30 seconds to a couple of minutes. I recommend setting an alarm to remind you to get up and move around once every 20-30 minutes

A simple posture reset is the most powerful tool you can use against the pain that begins after a long day of desk work. 

If you can’t seem to shake the low back pain or neck pain you develop while sitting for long periods of time,  schedule an appointment! Base Camp Sport and Spine can provide anyone in Vernon with further strategies to help you work pain-free!

Author: Dr. Kurtis Gryba, Chiropractor and Founder at E3 Chiropractic and Wellness in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Instagram: @E3chiro.yxe

Disclaimer: This blog is intended for general informational purposes only and is not intended for the delivery of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this blog or materials linked from this blog is at the user's own risk. The content of this blog and website is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.