An Unexpected Connection
A study suggests that chronic fatigue and sinus problems can be associated with bodily pain. Chronic fatigue syndrome is difficult to both diagnose and treat. However, doctors at Georgetown University Medical Center have discovered an unexpected connection with sinus symptoms and chronic pain.
They questioned 297 patients and noted unexplained fatigue in 22 per cent and chronic pain in 11 per cent. Nine percent of patients had both problems.
A Common Underlying Cause of Chronic Fatigue and Sinus
The same underlying problem may be the root cause of all 3 conditions. A misalignment in the upper neck can lead to chronic pain, chronic fatigue and sinus problems.
When someone has accidents and injuries that have torn loose the connective tissue that holds the spine in place it will allow the spine to breakdown and lock into a stressed position. The area of the spine that is most frequently affected is the upper neck area because it is the most movable and the most vulnerable to injury. Once this upper neck area is misaligned it will begin to affect the function of the brain stem. This undetected brainstem injury can lead to a variety of problems including dysfunction with the release of cortisol.
Dr. Marshall Dickholtz Sr., a NUCCA doctor from Chicago, along with a medical doctor and a psychiatrist did some very interesting research several years looking at the connection between the upper neck and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Here’s what the found when they compared quality of life measurements using a survey called the SF-36 six months after the initial correction to normal subjects:
- Physical Functioning increased from 58% to 85%!
- General Health improved from 35% to 55%
- Vitality improved from 17% to 55%
- Social Functioning increased from 40% to 70%
- Mental Health improved from 50% to 70%
In addition both the quality and quantity of sleep improved based on all testing and there was significant decrease in sleep medication usage. And maybe most remarkable all subjects in the study found a normalization of cortisol levels in the morning and evening readings at 6 months into care!
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Dr. Kurt Sherwood, D.C. is Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association. He is in private practice in the state of Washington in the city of Renton. He specializes in correcting problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems. More information can be found on his website at www.restorationspinalcare.com
References:
- http://www.newsfix.ca/2013/05/07/link-between-chronic-fatigue-and-sinusitis/
- Quality of Life Improvement in Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Following Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care
H. Charles Woodfield, BS Pharmacy, D.C. & Marshall Dickholtz, Sr., D.C., FICA
Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research ~ December 11, 2012 ~ Pages 92-99
Sinus headache image courtesy of Michael Morcal from freedigitalphotos.net
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