What is Dysautonomia?

Dysautonomia encompasses a variety of medical disorders characterized by dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system. This malfunction can disrupt the regulation of vital functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature control, among other involuntary bodily processes. Many times there may be an accompanied diagnosis such as POTS or EDS.

Dysautonomia may be inherited, or may arise after another illness or condition, and even have an autoimmune component to it. It is often times a complex condition that has multiple areas contributing to it, with no one thing causing it. It is important for these individuals to address multiple areas of their lives to manage the condition more effectively, giving them a higher quality of life.

How can upper cervical chiropractic help dysautonomia?

Upper cervical chiropractic care (UCC) is a targeted approach within chiropractic that emphasizes the alignment of the upper spine, particularly where the head meets the neck. This region, known as the cranio-cervical junction, is unique to the rest of the spine in function, movement, and the surrounding structures.

The core idea behind UCC is that misalignments and dysfunction in this area can lead to further dysfunction in the body and provide altered input into the brain, which may contribute to an array of symptoms and sometimes nervous system dysregulation symptoms. Through gentle and precise adjustments, UCC seeks to correct these misalignments, thereby reducing the overall load on the body and restoring optimal function, which may enhance overall well-being.

Practitioners of UCC employ specialized diagnostic methods and techniques to evaluate and correct misalignments. Unlike conventional chiropractic methods, which may involve more forceful manipulations, UCC adjustments are gentle and focused specifically on the upper cervical spine. This approach aims to reduce biomechanical dysfunction and improve proprioception between the brain and body, which may help alleviate symptoms and overtime take off a total load on the body, allowing the body to regulate the nervous system better.