The timeless account of
the first chiropractic adjustment by DD Palmer, the founder of chiropractic, involves
the hearing restoration of a deaf janitor after spinal manipulation.
(1) So interesting! Today’s research reports
help describe and corroborate the connection
of hearing and cervical spine pain issues. Johnson Chiropractic hears reports
of improvement in Richmond chiropractic patients for seemingly unrelated things that brought them
into Johnson Chiropractic for chiropractic care. Patients are elated!
Johnson Chiropractic is ecstatic for them. Let’s study this side-effect of hearing loss recovery after
chiropractic spinal manipulation.
THE HEARING AND CERVICAL SPINE CONNECTION
Hearing loss is not that rare with
cervical spine problems. The connection
of cervical spine and hearing has been discussed in
the medical publications for years and years. In
1994, one author submitted an idea of the
existence of a “vertebragenic hearing disorder” that accompanies
with tinnitus, a feeling of ear pressure, otalgia and deafness due to
functional deficit of the upper cervical spine. He tied conditions
like cervical vertigo and hearing disorders in 15% of patients with cervical
spine issues and hearing losses of 5 to 25 decibels in 40% of them. (2)
Richmond chiropractic patients report such conditions
occasionally, so Johnson Chiropractic is not shocked
at all.
Cervical spine issues can affect ear vessels and/or nerves causing hearing loss, vertigo or tinnitus. Cervical spine
injuries can cause pain and limits in range of motion. The
likelihood of hearing loss in patients with limited
left rotation ability is high. Such hearing loss after a cervical spine injury
is more common in men. (3) Additionally, there is indication
of interaction between the somatosensory and auditory brainstem structures, a
pathway joining the cervical spine to hearing function.
Researchers are seeking ways to define the
pathway and understand better how spinal nerves like those of C2 (the second
cervical spine segment) have an effect on auditory responses (hearing).
They have found projections from C2 dorsal root ganglion extending
to the cochlear nucleus. (4) Patients who have Kimmerle’s anomaly – an
anatomical variant of the first cervical segment (C1) – often
experience chronic tension-type headaches and
neurosensory-type hearing loss. (5) What does this say about the
connection between hearing and the cervical spine? A connection. Johnson Chiropractic
considers this when treating Richmond cervical spine pain
patients with a hearing loss or deficit.
CHIROPRACTIC HELP FOR Richmond HEARING LOSS
RELATED TO CERVICAL SPINE ISSUES
Since that first chiropractic adjustment in 1895,
chiropractic has recorded improvement for more cases of hearing issues. A study of 90 patients who experienced cervicogenic
sudden hearing loss recorded that those who underwent
chiropractic treatment in addition to routine medical care bettered
their hearing and alleviated their neck pain effectively
after 10 days of care. (6) A case of hearing loss and tinnitus associated with cervicogenic neck pain in a female patient whose hearing and tinnitus
were improved after having chiropractic spinal manipulation
treatment. On a scale of 0 (no problem) to 10 (complete impairment), she graded
her issues a 7 at the beginning of care and a 1 at
the end of 5 months of care. An audiogram was normal, too. (7)
These are satisfying outcomes that Richmond
hearing loss patients could embrace! Johnson Chiropractic is up
for the opportunity to help!
CONSIDER Johnson Chiropractic FOR RELIEF
Listen to this PODCAST
about how Cox Technic alleviates cervical spine related
neck pain and shoulder pain.
Schedule a Richmond chiropractic visit
to experience how Johnson Chiropractic may help ease
cervical spine issues, neck pain and even potentially
cervical spine related hearing loss.
"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the
DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by
Dr. James M. Cox I."