What are Seizures and Epilepsy?
A seizure is a serious neurological event caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Epilepsy is a long-term neurological condition characterized by recurrent seizures. Although the root cause of seizures and epilepsy is still unknown, the conditions are known to be triggered by a variety of factors, including genetic predisposition, head trauma, brain tumors, stroke, metabolic disturbances, and drug use. Another, often overlooked, trigger of seizures and epileptic episodes is vertebral misalignment in the upper cervical spine.
Signs and Symptoms of Seizures and Epilepsy
Seizures and epilepsy present with a wide range of symptoms, with significant variance depending on the individual and the severity of their condition. The most common of these symptoms include convulsions, loss of consciousness, and a change in behavior. Additional symptoms may include muscle spasms, confusion, a decrease in alertness, difficulty speaking, and loss of bladder or bowel control. Additionally, some people may experience an aura prior to a seizure, such as a strange smell or taste in the mouth, an unusual feeling or sensation, and emotional changes.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Seizures and Epilepsy
The upper cervical spine is the topmost segment of the spinal column and is responsible for supporting the head and facilitating the connection between the spinal cord and brainstem. However, due to its proximity to the brainstem, misalignments in this region can have a significant impact on neurological functioning, particularly when it comes to seizures and epilepsy.
Misalignments in the upper cervical spine can occur for a variety of reasons, from trauma events, such as whiplash or a fall, to poor posture. When these misalignments occur, the affected vertebrae may begin to compress the brainstem and surrounding nerves. This compression can lead to inflammation of the nerves and disrupt the electrical signals being sent and received by the brain. These disruptions in electrical signals can result in the unusual brain activity that underpins seizures and epileptic episodes.
How Our Treatment for Seizures and Epilepsy Works
At Upper Spine Knoxville, our upper cervical chiropractic specialist, Dr. Bejian Shamloo, is here to help you treat your seizures and epilepsy. Rather than simply managing the symptoms of this condition, Dr. Shamloo focuses on restoring the health and function of the upper cervical spine.
Before your treatment, Dr. Shamloo will typically use a series of cutting-edge scanning techniques to get a better understanding of what is happening in your upper cervical spine; these techniques include advanced 3D imaging and infrared thermography. These diagnostic tools help Dr. Shamloo to pinpoint the exact location and angle of any misalignments in the upper cervical spine that could be triggering your seizures.
If a misalignment is detected, Dr. Shamloo will use a range of traditional chiropractic correction techniques to coax the misaligned vertebrae back into alignment. By realigning the spinal column, Dr. Shamloo is able to reduce the amount of compression on the brainstem and surrounding nerves, thereby restoring regular neurological functioning and reducing the intensity and/or frequency of seizures and epileptic episodes.
You don’t have to suffer with seizures and epilepsy alone, get in touch today for an appointment at Upper Spine Knoxville. Dr. Shamloo provides patients with upper cervical chiropractic treatments in Knoxville, Alcoa, Maryville, Farragut, Clinton, Oak Ridge, Sevierville, Lenoir City, Karns, Hardin Valley, Powell, Halls, and Fountain City in Tennessee, as well as the surrounding areas.