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Ear Pain and the Neck
Can neck problems cause ear pain? Absolutely! Neck and ear pain can be the result of an old neck injury, such as a whiplash, car accident, fall or sports injury. This could even start after sleeping in an awkward position or a stressful time in your life. Read on to find out how an old neck injury can cause ear problems and how it develops from a neurological perspective.
The cervical spine (your neck) contains the brain stem. This is the “control centre” of the central nervous system (CNS) and is responsible for controlling all functions in the body that are not under your conscious control.
Think of it like a phone operator, connecting lines for calls. The brain stem does the same for the brain and the body, connecting the “conversations” to the correct parts for bodily functions
These bodily functions not under conscious control include:
- muscle tone
- breathing rate
- blood pressure
- immune function
- digestion
- posture
During an injury or physical stressor, the cervical spine joints can become misaligned (known as Subluxation) due to prrevious neck injury. Whiplash and other neck trauma can displace the cervical spine joints in the upper neck (C1 and C2) causing muscle tightness that becomes chronic. Because the neck controls muscle tone regulation it also can affect the muscles in the inner ear, jaw and for that matter the rest of the body. It is common neck and ear pain to be coming from the same source; a neck injury.
Why is ear pain related to a neck trauma?
For example, the forces involved in a whiplash trauma cause rapid acceleration and deceleration of the head as it whips back and forth. The ligaments that give the joints of the cervical spine stability and strength can tear under whiplash stress. Once the soft tissue of the neck is injured the cervical spine joints lose their normal stability setting off a chain reaction neurologically speaking through the entire system.
This can also happen in other injuries, such as repetitive movements, over stretching, insults to the neck or hitting the head
Irritation to the brainstem and spinal nerves caused by C1 (atlas) and/or C2 (axis) mis-alignments (Subluxations) cause tight neck and jaw muscles which can then cause TMJ and ear pain.
Most pain in the body is due to muscle spasm, caused by associated entrapment of nerves. Neck and ear pain can be a drag, but the good news there is a solution for many who suffer!
Doctors for Neck and Ear Pain in Singapore
If you suffer with neck and ear pain do not despair. Many patients are finding relief in our Singapore Upper Cervical Chiropractic offices where our doctors specialise in detecting and correcting spinal Subluxations that occur at the base of the skull where the brainstem sits. Let us explain.
Your head weighs about 5 kilograms and rests on the top bone in the neck called the atlas that weighs 60 grams! This small bone and its two joints bear the weight of the entire head (hence the name Atlas, from greek mythology). As a result, it is an unstable junction of the spine and is susceptible to spinal injury, moreso than the rest of the neck or spine. Sudden movements or other acceleration deceleration injuries can damage the supporting soft tissue that give the head neck junction stability.
This results in spinal misalignment and nervous system irritation which leads to not only neck and ear pain but a plethora of other problems in the body. Because the upper cervical spine houses the brainstem if it becomes Subluxated it can have negative consequences on the entire body.
The brain stem is responsible for controlling all body functions that are not under our conscious control. Heart function, muscle tone regulation, respiratory function, blood pressure regulation, thermo regulation are all directly controlled by the brainstem. This vital center can result in a host of ailments that most would not relate to a neck injury, including neck and ear pain.
How Do Upper Cervical Doctors Correct Neck Injuries and Help Neck and Ear Pain?
When a patient steps into our Singapore Based upper cervical chiropractic office they are assessed for Subluxation using various tests. Once a problem has been identified, precise imaging is taken to determine the exact direction and magnitude of misalignment.
Once this detailed information is gleaned a precision spinal correction is made that involves no twisting, popping, or pulling. Because TMJ problems and neck tightness is associated with neck and ear pain these symptoms are commonly helped through aiding the body in its normal nervous system function. Cervical spine pain and ear pain are highly correlated to upper neck Subluxation.
A Common Story
Below is an excerpt taken from a health board. Many people who suffer with neck and ear pain go through the routine medical system and are often discounted as crazy or psychosomatic. Just because medical tests can’t figure out the cause doesn’t mean the person is delusional, they may need to apply different tests to lead them to a solution.
“4 months ago, I was in a car accident that caused injury to spine and rotator cuff. Had surgery for rotator cuff and that has healed well. From the beginning I have had pain in my neck, collar bone, top of shoulder and over into my upper shoulder blade. This is from t1-t2 herniation.I also have pain up the right side of my face that feels like a sinus and ear infection. Doctors think I am crazy, but it hurts a lot and often. Anyone ever heard of this?”
Internet users response was:
“I don’t know exactly what’s causing your face and ear pain, but I do know that the spine is a complicated place, as is the whole shoulder-collarbone system. The structures are complex and there are nerves running all over the place, and as you know we often feel pain referred to different places from the actual injury site.
The only odd thing is that your ear and face should be served by cranial, not spinal nerves. Still, it’s all connected. I know that neck pain is associated with jaw pain, and jaw issues tend to affect ears and vice-versa.”
Neck and ear pain is HIGHLY correlated to spinal injury. If you or a loved one is suffering with neck and ear pain or any other chronic health condition it would make sense to visit an upper cervical Chiropractor in Singapore, so you can be properly assessed for upper neck spinal injury.
If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to call us at (+65) 8438 9550. Or book an appointment online.
Since 2013, Upper Cervical Chiropractor, Dr. Shaan Rai helped patients achieve greater health, relocating to Singapore in 2016 and founding Vitality Chiropractic Centres. He has an impressive track record in providing relief and solutions for people who experience nerve system problems, such as headaches, migraines, dizziness, vertigo or neurological conditions.
Take your life back.
For a Complimentary, no-obligation call with the Doctor or to book a Consultation, call +65 8438 9550 or email help@vitalitychiropracticcentres.com to find out if we can help you at our Chiropractic Clinic in Singapore.
Reference:
https://blairchiropractic.com/neck-and-ear-pain-caused-by-neck-injury/
