Question
QUESTION: Hi Dr John,

My name is Andrea who stay in Singapore. 25 years old. My chiroprators in Singapore dianogoses me loss of cervical curve & starting to form reverse curve. i am sffering of dizziness, tight scalp, upper back pain. tinitus. The doctor mentioned once the curve restore, all the symtomps should be dissapear.

My question is he offer me 3x per weeks adjustments for about 40 visits to restore to curve. purely manipulations without any exercises or tractions. now i had finished the course & re X ray shown that my neck curve just increased for few degree only. compare to the 1st X ray. it didnt change too much. symtomps still remain. but have decrease of muscle pain.

he insist me to continue to another 40 visits.  i am wondering to know only chiropractic adjustment can restore back the curve? i check with couple of articles & website in the internet. only tractions & some CBP techniques proven to restored the cervical curve. is that true?  

as i know my chiropractor graduated in Sherman chiropractic school. he mentioned they have the technique to restore back the curve with only using manipulations.

there are many types of the chiropractors in Singapore. some using tractions & some not.

i would like to ask your opinion, to restore back to cervical curve can really relief from the dizziness, upper back pain etc?

which type of the chiropractors i should go for?

thanks for your help.

Andrea

ANSWER: Andrea,

I need to ask a few questions:
Are you still  in pain? if yes where is the pain and how is it different since the chiropractic care. Do you have any inner ear problems? Have you seen a neurologist or a Medical Doctor for the dizzyness. Have you tried acupuncture. Do you have hearing problems. When are you getting dizzy? when does it occur? Are you dizzy or does the room spin. Does the dizzyness have any corelation to your period. Does it have any relationship to eating a meal with a lot of sugar? Have you ever had dizzyness before? How long have you had pain and dizzyness.Do you have vision trouble.
Please get me this info asap so I can answer your question.
Dr John Quackenbush

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: now still in upper back pain, tight scalp but dizziness reduce after chiropractic care.  i have went through all blood test, Neurology & & ENT, & ortheupathic. i've MRI on my brain & had done test of inner ear. all are normal. i am a male. so, i dont have any period. my dizziness started when i got neck pain & shoulder pain on 6 months ago. this is all happen suddenly in just one day i was driving. & i turn my head to the left. suddenly i felt strong headache. & the whole day my heart beating very fast. the 2nd day all the pain from shoulder, neck were came out & assiociated with dizziness. i do not like eat sugar, so i seldom eat sweet food. i didnt have dizziness before during my past 24 years.
i've gain more symtomps during these 6 months, like floater eye, tinitus. all came out along these 6 months. my type of dizziness is not vertigo. no room spin. just like loss of balance, foggy feeling in the back head. the tight scalp feeling is from the upper neck to the back of the head scalp.

i believe that that my dizziness, tight scalp & pain is come from my neck.but i just cant find suitable chiropractor to reslove my problems.

my concerns is what type of treatment is suitable for me to restore neck curve?  some DR said no tractions or CBP techniques required can restore neck curve. Another DR said only CBP tractions & adjustment can restore neck curve? which one i should go for ? need your advice. thanks.

Andrea.

ANSWER: Andrea,

Go with the CBP and adjustments. I think the traction they have is logical. Also ask about home traction and your docotors opinion of the home traction called posture pump.

Thank you for additional answers. The dizzyness may or may not go away. So I suggest an Ultra sounfd of your carotid arteries to make sure they are patent. Ask you chiropractor if there are any chiropractic neurologists you could visit for a second opinion on your dizziness. The dizziness is to serious to be answered in this venue. If he doesn't know of anyone try going to www.lifechangingcare.com that website has chiropractor who deal with dizziness.

I hope this helps with your health decisions.

Dr John Quackenbush

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Dr. John,

if the dizziness is related to the neck. once the neck curve restored. the dizziness will be dissappear? In your common practice, what technique & tractions use in your office to restore neck curve? usually how long can restore the curve?

Answer
Andrea,

I really can't predict if your dizziness will abate with chiropractic care. However the way you pose the question if it is related to the neck and there is a correction will the dizziness go away I could say yes but that maybe a little far fetched and would be a promise I couldn't really keep. I can't guaranteee that.

CBP cervical traction is highly advised as well as thier techniques. I don't know if you could find a CBP practicioner where you live. So your best bet is to purchase a Posture Pump cervical unit. I am sure you can Google this item.  It utilises an air bladder and pushes up through the cervical spine while you lie in it supine or on your back. Sevral of my patients have found them on e bay.

Hope this helps your medical decisions.
Dr John Q Quackenbush
www.drqdc.com