atlantoaxial instability C1-C2 issues
 

Has anyone heard of this? my sister found this and said it sounds a lot like me.


http://www.caringmedical.com/treatme...y-c1-c2-spine/

I neeed to get ahold of my xrays now and see if they look like the ones on google.

I checked my CT and it did show me having this problem.

I'm surpriised how little the chiropractors i have seen have stressed its impact. They just said the C2 was going in the opposite direction.

Any thoughts on how to fix this? Someone just brought up an old post on cervical issues which i'm finding helpful. I read about NUCCA chiros.

Buckl,

You do not have the x-ray reading skills to accurately diagnose this instability. Most chiros don't. Upper cervical chiros (NUCCA, Atlas Orthogonal, and Blair) take very specific x-rays to see the misalignment. An ortho-specialist radiologist may if he/she has the training and fine skills to see it. Whether the ligaments are loose is another issue. That may be able to be palpated and manipulated.

The Prolotherapy suggested is a process where an injection of an adjutant is made. This creates a healing response. This will only work if 1. You have the instability. 2. You can maintain good neck posture to keep atlas/axis in proper position. It takes weeks for the ligaments to strengthen and tighten.

If this is your problem, it is well worth the effort to heal this. I had such a problem and it took me years to fully heal.

My best to you.

Thank you for posting this! I've read a lot of your posts and have similar issues. My PCS has ebbed and flowed over the past 13 months, but I have not fully recovered and still am unable to exercise. My neck is still not right and I think it might be a mild form of occipital neuralgia.

About 3 weeks ago I lightly bumped the top/back area of my head with my hand and since then it has been super sensitive to the touch again. The main symptom now since then, is that when I lay down to sleep the pressure in my head increases and I keep waking up feeling foggy and like I was sleeping upside down or something. Sometimes the side of my head feels partially numb. I've been trying to sleep with my head elevated, which is helping, but it still is not great, totally refreshing, normal sleep.

I actually live in Chicago and I think I'm gonna try and go to that Caring Medical clinic. I have an HMO plan though within Advocate Medical Group so not sure if I'll be covered there unfortunately…

Did you ever check this place out or go to a similar treatment place?

Chicagohead - Did you ever end up checking out the prolotherapy?

I have been reading the info. on this website, and it also seems to be a lot of what I am experiencing as well. I have been seeing an Atlas Orthogonal Chiro. who says I have C1 & C2 subluxation. He has been adjusting me with the machine (no twisting and cracking) and I lay on a traction machine. I do not really feel like he is treating the ligaments and other soft tissues enough though.

The way I feel is that my neck is not able to hold up my head. I find my neck constantly hanging forward. If I have to stand or sit upright for a long period of time, my neck gets very tired and sore and it feels like all of the tissues in my neck become inflamed. Then the pain in my neck turns into a headache as well as upper back pain and I get very dizzy. I have been icing and trying to work on my posture.

I feel as if the soft tissues in my neck will never heal, and this prolotherapy may be a good try. Is there anything else I can do for this?

In my experience, the most important part of healing an upper neck is posture during rest and sleep. I sleep with no lift from my pillow. I also sleep on my back. I curl my pillow around my ears so my head does not roll to the side. I had to learn to do this. I learned this after a fell asleep with my head tilted forward and woke up in terrible shape.

The ligaments will not heal due to treatment. They heal by not being strained are stretched. It take 6 weeks or longer for them to heal. There are some LED and laser treatments that can help. Prolo may help if the prolo doc can determine what ligaments need strengthening.

But again, prolo will be undone by poor sleep posture.

Thanks Mark.

Unfortunately I'm one of those sleepers that seems to do a full workout in my sleep ;) I wake up in all kinds of crazy positions, a lot of times with my neck crinked and crooked. I'm not sure what to do about this or how to change the way I sleep, because I am unaware of the what I am doing when asleep. Perhaps a neck brace would help while in bed?

Maybe you need to need to experiment with various mattresses, maybe by adding a mattress topper. Many who move a lot during sleep do it because they can not find a comfortable position. I used to have carpal tunnel problems and wore splints to bed. This made it difficult to sleep other than on my back. I have slept with a pillow under my knees. It is easy on the hips and makes it easier to stay on my back.

I would love to get an adjustable bed so I can adjust it for best comfort and support. I know it helps because I get my best sleep in a recliner/easy chair.

Once I found the right mattress and pillow combination, I often wake up in the same position I went to sleep in. It also helps to not go to bed until I am ready to fall asleep. I am usually asleep within a few minutes of laying down. If not, I tend to toss.

Sleep has been quite a process for me. I used to be fearful of going to bed. I would have stressful dreams and wake up a wreck. So, for me, every effort was worth it. Once I learned how to sleep soundly, my neck healed up, my central sleep apnea is virtually non-existent and my days are much better. I believe my neck would get inflamed causing blood flow restrictions causing the sleep apnea. But, no sleep specialist ever agreed with me.

It is a difficult challenge but worth it.

My best to you.