The trauma to the upper cervical vertebra is what I call a subtle neck injury. It usually has very few symptoms. The most obvious would be headaches as the injury and inflammation does two things. It can cause spasms in the muscles behind the ears that can cause headaches. It can also cause inflammation in and/or around the brain stem that can reduce vertebral artery blood flow to the brain. This can cause the foggy brain sensation and disrupt sleep.

I had a vertical compression injury and it messed up my neck but I had no neck specific symptoms. I just had problems with sleep from my neck being in a bad position. A chiro tried to help but a very uniquely trained physical therapist was the most help.