Question
I am experiencing dizziness, forgetfulness, and fatigue after neck adjustments. After a car accident and a fall, four years apart, i was diagnosed with a TBI.  I had a labyrinth concussion resulting in inner ear balance issue, tinnitus, one eye protruding out just a bit, and neck subluxations. The headaches I was experiencing are gone with adjustments.  The other symptoms have increased to the point of feeling nausea.  I am also doing weight lifting to help strengthen the muscles. Why the increased symptoms?

Answer
Staten Island Auto Accident, Staten Island Whiplash, TBI, Dizziness, Vertigo,




Hello Mari,


I am sorry to hear of your complaints.  I am sorry to hear of your traumatic brain injury.  Did you injure your brain in the MVA (car accident) and/or the fall?   I am sure you have had a battery of MANY tests and been to orthopedic and neurologist MDs, as well as your Doctor of Chiropractic.

Many people are not aware that the Chiropractic Profession, similar to the Medical Profession has several specialties.  Additional academic and practical requirements must be met for our additional titles.  For a sample- view:  http://www.acatoday.org/userImages/File/Microsoft_Word_-_Approved_Chiropractic_S...(1).pdf  OR  http://www.acatoday.org/pdf/ApprovedChiropracticSpecialtyPrograms.pdf .

You have a complicated history, and with that hx (history) and subjective complaints-- I would feel MOST comfortable if you were evaluated by a Chiropractic Neurologist.  One of our leading chiropractic neurologists has actually written a book on headaches and dizziness- for the public, for laypeople like yourself, I recommend Dr. Michael Johnson's book to all of my Staten Island Dizziness patients:  http://www.amazon.com/Medications-Treatment-Dizziness-Fibromyalgia-Conditions/dp... , I would recommend taking a look at this book.

You state:  ".....After a car accident and a fall, four years apart, i was diagnosed with a TBI.  I had a labyrinth concussion resulting in inner ear balance issue, tinnitus, one eye protruding out just a bit, and neck subluxations......".  A car accident, AND a fall, resulting in a Traumatic Brain Injury; labyrinth concussion, tinnitus, subluxation, proptosis (Exophthalmos = protruding eye) give you a VERY complicated picture.  As a Chiropractic Doctor, I would discuss your case with your Neurologist(s), and/or have a Chiropractic Neurologist give an evaluation.  The DC Neuro may be best- because the training comes from both perspectives.

You say: ".....The headaches I was experiencing are gone with adjustments....."- GREAT, headaches usually respond very well to Chiropractic Adjustments.  My Staten Island Headache patients are usually very happy with their progress after a regimen of chiropractic care.

BUT, you also state:  ".....I am experiencing dizziness, forgetfulness, and fatigue after neck adjustments......".  Sometimes patients get sore after an adjustment, or even a few adjustments.
Sometimes people do have transient/ occasional short term dizziness after an adjustment.  Nausea, forgetfulness, fatigue, dizziness as a routine after chiropractic adjustments - this constellation of symptoms is unusual, and very very unusual if this reaction is your 'routine' reaction.  I would certainly discuss this reaction with your doctor.  If I had this reaction in my office, I may try a different chiropractic technique (many different techniques- i.e.: http://www.chiropractorguide.com/alternatives/understanding-chiropractic-techniq... ).
If I had this reaction in my Staten Island Chiropractic office, I would probably ask for an evaluation at a colleague DC neuro or MD neuro office.

You add:  "....I am also doing weight lifting to help strengthen the muscles......".  I would discuss the exercises with my doctor, and perhaps my DC has a certified trainer who could be helpful with APPROPRIATE exercises.

You ask;  "....Why the increased symptoms?....".  Usually people do not get this myriad of symptoms,,, if they do- perhaps once or twice, but not as a routine.  If I were your doctor, I would re-evaluate, perhaps change my chiropractic technique, perhaps send out for a chiro neuro evaluation.  You should not get this group of symptoms, especially more than once or twice....

My Staten Island Auto Accident patients get some information handouts- perhaps these will be of help to you:



揥hiplash?   
( Also Known As-  Cervical  Sprain/ Strain,  CAD= Cervical Acceleration/ Deceleration Injury)

Sometimes  a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, or a motor vehicle accident can cause a 慦hiplash Injury?  This can result in ligament sprain, muscle strain, and 憄inched nerves?
Often  -  the    c a u s e   of  the neck stiffness and pain; a cause of stretched ligaments and muscle strain is a misalignment,  a 慿ink?in the neck- more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation.  Sometimes 慦hiplash?symptoms can come immediately, sometimes days, weeks or even months after the actual trauma !

Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  憇ubluxation?
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
A  subluxation  interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system  (the master system  which controls and coordinates all function within the body)  and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.


This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:

    Spinal Kinesiopathology:
         This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.
    Neuropathophysiology:
         Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.
    Myopathology:
          Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.
    Histopathology:
         A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.
    Pathophysiology:
         Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.


The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
         Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
          Vertebral  Subluxation  cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone.  Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.  For good health- Treat the   Cause,  not just the Symptoms.

This may be helpful,  videos I found on YouTube.com:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc-t-EyrWok , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CFJgsG5SO0&feature=related , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9CnRFj3rWE&feature=related .

Be careful of side-effects of medication, this handout is also helpful to my Stten Island MVA patients:

PAIN.
PAIN  is  our  body  TALKING  to  us---- what  is  our  body  trying  to  say?  PAIN is a language of the body- have a good translator available to help you understand the message your body is sending you......

PAIN           
Pain  is a  憆ed light on the dashboard?   
RED  LIGHT  =   Trouble !!

Pain  is  your  body  telling  you  that  something  is  wrong.   
Think  you  should  listen??

That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car-
-- do you ignore it until the car breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?  

Pain,
pain in your body-
-- do you ignore it until your body breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?   

Pain,  
do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?

Take a painkiller,
mask the pain,
and allow a problem to progress in your body?
HAVE  THAT  PAIN/  that  symptom  evaluated !!!!!!

Pain  Killing  medication???  =    16,000  deaths   ( probably  under-reported )
                         DEATH ! ? ! ?    better   watch  out  on  those  medications!!!  

                             NOTICE  ON  PAIN  RELIEVERS:
 
Label changes ORDERED by FDA;  the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to  include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news  206- 207;  12-9-06) ;
SIXTEEN THOUSAND DEATHS: "Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective medications for the treatment of many chronically painful medical conditions. However, it is estimated that 25% of all serious adverse drug reactions involve NSAIDs, with more than 100,000 hospitalizations and 16,000 deaths occurring annually due to NSAID-induced gastrointestinal (GI) events."----- http://hhc.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/13/6/468   Home Health Care Management & Practice, Vol. 13, No. 6, 468-475 (2001)  Motrin, Advil = NSAIDS

      The  American Heart Association issued a scientific statement  recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice  to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement  2-26-07).

      NSAID Acceleration of ARTHRITIS; an important side effect of Aspirin and other NSAIDS is that it will inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage  destruction ( Journal of Rheumatology, 1982; 9: 3- 5 ).   Many times people take NSAIDS  for  the pain of Arthritis,  not realizing these drugs may make the underlying condition worse.   These medications  cover  up  the  pain,  and  cause  the  problem  to   worsen.

http://rinf.com/alt-news/business-news/prescription-drugs-kill-300-percent-more-...
= An analysis of 168,900 autopsies conducted in Florida in 2007 found that three times as many people were killed by legal drugs as by cocaine, heroin and all methamphetamines put together.    BE  CAREFUL  WITH  THAT  MEDICATION !!!
It was reported in 2000, that 700,000 U.S. citizens die as a result from medical causes (iatrogenics). Of course, other records and statistics had the number above the one million mark. Whether 700,000 or one million people, that's a lot of innocent people dying from visiting a hospital and trusting a medical doctor.= http://www.dherbs.com/articles/iatrogenics-99.html

Pain  can  often  be  the  result  of  the  Vertebral  Subluxation  Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation  is  actually  a  quite  common  condition.   Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties,   and also look for 慡ubluxation? Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system  (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this).  VSC- 慡ubluxation??can be the cause of many symptoms and conditions.

Only  a  Doctor of Chiropractic  will  evaluate  and  treat  for  VSC,   as  well  as  other  pathology.
The course of VSC is highly variable.   Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights.    Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC,  some patients take years to develop symptoms.  Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months.  Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.  When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition.  Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.
       Vertebral  Subluxation   cannot   be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching,  yoga,  vitamins  or  physical  therapy  alone.       Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular-    mechanical-    problem  requires  a    mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,         best  performed  with  the  chiropractic  adjustment.

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomate, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine , Invited to Colorado Springs (Olympic Training Center) to  Care for USA Olympic Athletes 2010 , Chiropractor to the Championship NYPD Football Team, and the PSAL High School Football Champions (Curtis)

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I hope you find to above suggestions/ information helpful.  If you need further, please do not hesitate to REcontact me here at AllExperts.com : http://www.allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm .
         You can REconnect here or at my website: www.DrVictorDolan.net .  THANK YOU for your question, I am your Staten Island Chiropractic expert wishing you Good Health Naturally!!!

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC