When I was in my Head and Neck Anatomy lecure in chiropractic college I remember the instructor referring to the jugular veins and the "Main Brain Vein Drain."  While that was a funny and catchy way to remember what the jugular does, I didn't realize the significance of that "drain" until recently.

A few months ago I heard about new research that is showing the migraine headaches, and even MS, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's disease are related to hypoxia (low blood flow through the brain).  In medicine this research has inspired new surgical techniques that are helping people with these conditions.  One surgical technique is called the CTOS technique.  It involves cutting some muscles in the lower neck, that are thought to impede blood flow into the brain when they are spastic.  Another procedure involves putting a shunt into the jugular vein to help the brain "drain."  Of course any surgical procedure involves risk.  Its always best to seek natural, non-invasive options as a first resort.

NUCCA has been shown to boost venous return (increase blood flow in the the jugular veins).  This was verified using phase-contrast MRI.  Currently NUCCA is leading a large clinical study to demonstrate this increase in blood flow in a research setting in people with migraine headaches.  Case studies have shown NUCCA to be helpful for people with MS, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's. 

The anatomy of the cervical spine also has additional significance.  Considering that blood vesses actually pass through the boney extensions of the vertebrae.  The vertrbral artery passes through the sides of the atlas and wraps around and into the brain.  It isn't hard to concieve that stress at the head/neck relationship could impede the blood flow into the brain!

Other symptoms of low blood supply to the brain may include mental fog or sluggishness and forgetfullness.

If your brain isn't operating at its best, how can YOU be your best?  Get checked by a NUCCA specialist today! 

Every day in my office I hear stories of people going from doctor to doctor and never getting any help.  Very often,  these people began their journey when a significant health problem came on following a big trauma to the body, especially the head or neck.  Some of these people have consulted with the best neurologists, physical therapists, and orthopedists medicine has to offer.  The often have tried alternatives such as accupuncture, cranial sactral therapy, and massage as well.  Sometimes these interventions help the problem, sometimes they don't, sometimes it gets worse. 

The common thread is however, "I hit my head, and then.........."  Often it's that realization that brings them to me.  I specialize in helping people get their heads on straight (or in scientific terms, return the head and neck to orthogonal normal). 

When the head is not sitting squarely atop the spine, it stresses the human nervous system (and the rest of the physiology under its control) a great deal.  Sometimes people develop hypoxia (lack of oxegenation and blood flow) to the brain.  This may manifest as migraine headaches, or in advanced cases, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or Multiple Sclerosis.

At Wellspring Centre for Body Balance we are in the process of organizing a research study to track the incidence of these conditions in people with a history of head and neck trauma.  If you, or someone you know, has ex

perienced a trauma to the head and neck, do yourself a favor and get checked by a NUCCA specialist!