[ConcussedEngineer]

I was relatively symptom free for a good while now and had built up to working six hour days, six days a week, when I have seemed to run into a relapse. I was working Tuesday, and walking up a steep (45 degree) slope when I lost my footing and caught myself with my arm. I felt a jolt, but didn't think this could have done any harm. Wednesday afternoon I went to the chiropractor for the third or fourth adjustment I have had on my C1. That night I just felt out of it when I went out to eat with family, but I just figured I pushed too hard. Thursday I felt the same way with off balance, a little vertigo, and snowy vision. Today was the same story so I went back to the chiropractor and explained. Immediately she noted my C1 was shifted pretty badly. I thought that would fix it, but now this afternoon I still feel just as bad. Could I really have done damage when I slipped on that hill without actually hitting my head directly?

[Mark in Idaho]

My money goes on, "You disrupted blood flow to your brain with the strain to your upper neck."

Some icing and anti-inflammatory (NSAID) meds may help.

Was there a specific reason/symptom that caused you to go to the chiro for the adjustment ?

What kind of adjustment was performed ? Twist the head and pop the neck ?

[ConcussedEngineer]

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

My money goes on, "You disrupted blood flow to your brain with the strain to your upper neck."

Some icing and anti-inflammatory (NSAID) meds may help.

Was there a specific reason/symptom that caused you to go to the chiro for the adjustment ?

What kind of adjustment was performed ? Twist the head and pop the neck ?

Hi Mark, thanks for the advice.

I went originally to help with my ocular migraine which consisted of a constricted pupil and heavy eyelid. It helped quite a bit the first two or three times.

It was just the twist the head and pop the neck adjustment.

[TheNorwegian]

I have tried this several times - you will be fine again soon. I have heard a lot of different explanations eg that it is because of the deep flexor muscles in the neck. But I havent found anything that fixed it...

[Mark in Idaho]

For many, the twist the head and pop the neck adjustment is too aggressive. If you have this done again, ask if the chiro can do a bit of muscle tension releasing massage before and ice after.

[ConcussedEngineer]

It's good to hear that this is normal, relatively. I'll be sure to tell the chiropractor next time about this.

[ConcussedEngineer]

Well, it's been over a week and I am thinking that slip and fall without actually hitting my head did something as my vision is still off and mentally I am just not with it still, especially in conversion. I feel like I did the first month after my concussion if not worse. I don't know what to think; my short term memory is not there, my balance is off, driving has been difficult, sometimes I just feel that my legs are going right out from under me as I walk, and my pupils are acting very erratic and fidgety. I just find it hard to believe my threshold would be that low for injury to occur again?

[Mark in Idaho]

It sounds to me like something more than your almost fall is at play. I would not be surprised your last adjustment caused some inflammation. C-1 is very difficult to diagnose and more difficult to coax into position without inducing trauma.

What did she do to diagnose that your C-1 was shifted pretty badly ?

Keep in mind that a chiropractic adjustment is not a fix. It only helps your body respond better to good health and posture discipline.

You list general symptoms. I don't see a pattern in them. Many of them can be caused by concussion and/or anxiety. Focusing on them can make a minor symptom much worse. Thinking a chiro adjust will be a fix suggests you are expecting too much.

How has driving been difficult ?
How do you know your short term memory is not there ?

[ConcussedEngineer]

I somewhat agree that something else is at play. It cannot just be a coincidence that these symptoms flared up after the visit. I noted that I felt different after going, and noted to my parents that I thought something seemed very off.

She just did a standard chiropractic exam I would imagine to determine it being shifted.

The symptoms I have been experiencing seem to be vestibular related? Correct me if I am wrong as I have little knowledge how cervical issues and vestibular problems tie in. I may have said it before, but a lot of these symptoms were ones that going originally helped decrease, especially the pressure sensation I would get whenever I bend over or blood rushes to my head. At one time, and currently now, if I bend over or physically exert myself lifting too much my one pupil will constrict and I get dizzy.

[Mark in Idaho]

If leaning over causes one pupil to constrict, you should get checked out by a doctor. But, it is very difficult to accurately self-check pupils.

A standard chiro exam would not show that C-1 is shifted pretty badly.

A leg check could possibly show something is worth checking out. But, as I said, C-1 is difficult to diagnose.