Tinnitus is relatively common. Mostly, you will complain of “ringing” in the ears.  However, there are numerous sounds besides “ringing” that are considered tinnitus. Furthermore, there are many causes as to why it happens: vascular, ototoxicity (drug induced), cochlear (inner ear), small muscle spasms (close proximity to the ear), temporomandibular (jaw) joint or cervicogenic (neck).

 

Causes

 

Firstly, tinnitus is a symptom and not a disease. It could be in one or both ears. It is a symptom of a disease or dysfunction in your ear, the auditory (sense of hearing) nerve connecting your inner ear to your brain and/or the parts of your brain that process sound. And tinnitus could simply be due to ear cerumen (wax) impaction, a side effect of medications or due to a more serious problem.

 

Secondly, tinnitus could be caused by hearing loss.  An example is noise-induced hearing loss due to exposure to environmental noise such as machinery, loud music, or earphones.  So along with the hearing loss, you may develop tinnitus from the damage induced to the inner ear. Moreover, tinnitus is sometimes the first sign of presbycusis (hearing loss in older people). Also, otosclerosis is a condition in which there’s abnormal bone growth inside the ear causing hearing loss. Otosclerosis happens in young people and causes hearing loss along with tinnitus.

 

Thirdly, otitis media (ear infections) may cause tinnitus.  Similarly, repeated ear infections can cause scar tissue in the middle ear. This scarring can cause irritation of the nerve endings and cause tinnitus as well as hearing loss.

 

Fourthly, tinnitus can be due to an endocrine (e.g. hormonal) problem, vascular (e.g. heart/cardiac murmur) problem, or a tumor (e.g. acoustic tumor).

 

Fifthly, tinnitus could be due to trauma to the head, ear or neck (e.g. whiplash).

 

Dr. Natalie Meiri adjusts the neck of a patient

 

Tinnitus and Neck Pain: the Various Causes and How Chiropractic Can Help

 

First, the theory is joint dysfunction may produce reflex muscle spasm or alter input to the vestibular nuclei (nerve complex) in the hindbrain. The vestibular nuclei  function in the maintenance of equilibrium and posture, the perception of head position and acceleration, as well as general muscle tone. Second, the chiropractic approach is to reduce muscle spasm and free restricted movement through manipulation/adjustments. Third, a connection to tinnitus may be the relationship of the trigeminal nerve (5th cranial nerve) to the ear and the upper cervical (neck) spinal segments. Research supports a positive effect with cervical adjusting alone or in combination with vertigo exercises to correct this.

 

Tinnitus Due to Whiplash or Vertebrogenic (spinal) Vertigo

 

If the tinnitus is post-whiplash (acceleration/deceleration injury to the neck) or associated with other indicators of vertebrogenic (spinal) vertigo, chiropractic manipulative treatment may be helpful. Vertigo is the sensation that you, or the environment around you, is moving or spinning. 

 

Frequently, there is an overlap between cervicogenic (spinal) vertigo and other peripheral (not central nervous system) vestibular vertigos such as Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BBPV) and Meniere’s disease. There is research reporting on chiropractic manipulative treatment as an effective alternative treatment for patients with tinnitus. For Meniere’s disease, Chiropractors help treat the symptoms of vertigo and tinnitus naturally.

 

Meiri Chiropractic serving West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens and North Palm Beach offers excellent chiropractic treatment for Tinnitus. Call us in West Palm Beach at 561-253-8984 to schedule an appointment or to find out more about Tinnitus and Neck Pain: the Various Causes and How Chiropractic Can Help.

 

 

 

This post is about Mid Back Pain Due to Scheuermann’s Disease: a Chiropractic Care Center Can Help.  Symptoms include mid back pain, fatigue, and kyphosis. So Kyphosis is a spinal disorder in which an excessive curve of the spine results in an abnormal rounding of the upper back.  Scheuermann’s disease happens in male or female adolescents (teenagers 13 to 17 years old).   If you have pain due to Scheuermann’s disease, chiropractic care may be your best choice for relief! 

 

What is Scheuermann’s Disease?

Firstly, the cause of Scheuermann’s disease has been studied and discussed for years. However, scientists don’t know exactly why some kids get it, but Scheuermann’s disease does run in families. 

 

Secondly, Scheuermann’s disease is NOT an osteochondrosis. Osteochondrosis (called avascular necrosis in adults) is a term used to describe disorders that affect the growing skeleton in children and adolescents.  These disorders can be from abnormal growth or overuse of the developing growth plate and surrounding ossification centers (site of earliest bone formation).  The disruption of blood flow to the joints is often the cause.

 

Thirdly, Scheuermann’s disease is believed to be the result of vertebral (spinal bones) growth plate trauma.  It occurs during the adolescent period with interruption or cessation (stopping) of further growth. Scheuermann’s is a structural problem/deformity and not caused by a functional problem (e.g. poor habitual posture).

 

Fourthly, Scheuermann’s affects the mid thoracic (middle of mid back) region 75% of the time. And the thoracolumbar (transition zone between thoracic and lumbar spine) region is affected 25% of the time. Furthermore, findings include a mild scoliosis. There is also a unique type found in female gymnasts and adolescents performing heavy weight lifting.  This is called atypical Scheuermann’s (type II) disease or “apprentice kyphosis.”

 

How is Scheuermann’s Disease diagnosed?

 

Scheuermann’s is diagnosed with an examination and x-rays. On x-ray there may be a wedging of vertebrae. In addition, schmorl’s nodes and limbus bones may be evident on imaging (e.g x-ray). Schmorl’s nodes are a common spinal disc extrusion in which the soft tissue of the intervertebral disc (fibrocartilage joint between 2 vertebral spinal bones) bulges out vertically into the adjacent vertebrae. Similarly, the limbus bone typically occurs anteriorly (front) due to a disc particle extruding.  It maybe be seen as a bone deformity on x-ray.  This is all produced as a consequence of an injury in an adolescent spine.

 

Mid Back Pain Due to Scheuermann’s Disease: a Chiropractic Care Center Can Help

 

Balance is often a problem with this disease so exercises for “proprioceptive awareness” (sense of self movement) may be helpful. Moreover, postural exercises are important: hamstring stretching, stretching anterior (front) muscles, strengthening interscapular (shoulder blade) muscles, and spinal extension exercises. In addition, an attention to compensations in the cervical (neck) and lumbar (low back) spine due to the hyperkyphosis should be considered.

It is also likely that as an adult, chronic back pain is more common. So a major concern is to reduce the pain component, improve function (e.g. balance) and prevent progression early on in life.

Many patients with mid back pain from Scheuermann’s disease find relief through chiropractic care.  The goal is to free up movement at each spinal segmental level with regular adjustments.  Then the spine is kept more flexible and the kyphosis is less likely to progress.  So Adjustments decrease the pressure on your nervous system.  And this eliminates the pain and muscle spasm.

Dr, Meiri adjusts a patient

 
Through regular visits, you can get pain relief and improve your mid back health with chiropractic manipulative treatments without drugs or surgery.

 

Our other therapies, such as soft tissue techniques, therapeutic exercise, electric muscle stimulation, ice/ heat therapies and homeopathic consultations, may also provide relief for your pain. 

In West Palm Beach, Meiri Chiropractic has given hope to patients with mid back pain and many other ailments.  This has given them a better quality of life with a safer, natural and effective treatment for their symptoms.

If you or a loved one is suffering from mid back pain from Scheuermann’s disease, call our chiropractic care center  at 561-253-8984 to make an appointment or ask about Mid Back Pain Due to Scheuermann’s Disease: a Chiropractic Care Center Can Help.