What is the cause of Meniere’s disease? When reading the literature and research it is clear that Meniere’s Disease is a problem in the inner ear, but how does it start? Dr Michael Burcon is a researched, conducting studies on Meniere’s Disease for decades, helping thousands of patients. One of the most common findings he sees is a whiplash or head trauma that causes a whiplash, such as a fall, car accident, sports injury, or even a traumatic birth. This can injure the Upper Cervical spine and interfere with the nerve supply to the inner ear and balance centres in the upper neck and brainstem (Read about How To Manage Meniere’s, here).
Dr Burcon has presented his hypothesis as to the cause of MD to more than 2,000 ear, nose and throat surgeons, and more than 1,000 Chiropractors across four continents [2] concerning the management and cause of Meniere’s Disease
He puts forward a theory involving key structural and neurological irritations, including [2]:
- Inflammation of the Subluxated Atlanto Occipital Articulation (base of the skull where it attaches to top of the neck) with swelling putting pressure on the adjacent middle ear structures (including the Eustachian tube)
- Traction/pulling of a number of cranial nerves (VII, XII) as well as the Jacobson’s and Arnold’s nerves
- Irritation of sympathetic nerves, causing spams within the vertebral artery and leading to a decrease in blood flow to the brain stem
- Eustachian tube dysfunction caused by torque of the trigeminocervical nucleus and tract
- Another key irritation includes problems with cerebral spinal fluid flow and the endolymphatic sac
This is consistent with another paper published in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research early this year, involving a 45 year old male patient who had been showing signs of Meniere’s Disease for 12 years and had received a diagnosis 5 years before. The case report followed his management, with the subluxation being corrected with a specific low force move [5]. Following a re-examination after his 24th visit, the patient stated that:
his condition had improved 85% since the first examination. His quality of life had improved greatly and in his own words my most serious issues, vertigo and hearing loss, have been eliminated or drastically reduced. [5]
It was accompanied by comprehensive literature review and lead the authors to remark that:
The results of this case strongly suggest that patient’s suffering from symptoms of Meniere’s disease may benefit from Upper Cervical adjustments.
Read more about How our Care is Different.
Since 2013, Upper Cervical Chiropractor, DC. 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.
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References
[1] Mayo Clinic Staff Writer, Meniere’s Disease, Mayo Clinic, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menieres-disease/basics/definition/con-20028251, retrieved 6 February 2017
[2] Burcon, M (2016), Health Outcomes Following Cervical Specific Protocol in 300 Patients with Meniere’s Followed Over Six Years, J Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research, June 2, 2016
[3] Staff Writer Meniere’s Research Institute, (2016), "Menier’s Disease Breakthrough, Burcon Chiropractic, http://www.burconchiropractic.com/page/2879
[4] Burcon M. Upper Cervical Protocol for Ten Meniere’s Patients, Upper Cervical Subluxation Complex, A Review of the Chiropractic and Medical Literature, Kirk Eriksen, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkens, Baltimore, MD, 2004, pp 284-286.
[5] Chung, J and O’Connell, C, (2017), Resolution of Symptoms in a Patient Suffering From Meniere’s Disease Following Specific Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care: A Case Study and Review of Literature, Journal Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research, January 2, 2017
Written by
Shaan Rai (Chiropractic, Singapore)
Shaan (UK) is based in Singapore. He is a GCC registered Singapore Chiropractor, completing a 5 year course at AECC, attaining his Masters in Chiropractic. His career has been specialised in neurological cases, such as migraines and vertigo. He is the Chairman for Outreach and Charity for Alliance of Chiropractic (AoC) and is a founder of Vitality Chiropractic Singapore and the NeuroPro method, combining Upper Cervical techniques with Functional Neurology Rehab.