What Is a Seizure and What Is Epilepsy?
A seizure is the outward sign of a malfunction in the electrical system in the brain. Seizures that occur more than once, without a special cause, are called epilepsy (also called a seizure disorder). Seizures may be convulsions, brief stares, muscle spasms, odd sensations, or episodes of automatic behavior and altered consciousness.
How Upper Cervical Care Relates to Epilepsy / Seizures
While the exact cause of seizures is unknown, medical researchers have focused upon traumatic brain injury (specifically mild concussive injury to the head, neck, or upper back) as a risk factor for seizure onset.1-24 Following the injury, seizures can be triggered immediately or can take months or years to develop.
The purpose of upper cervical care is to reverse the trauma-induced upper neck injury; thereby reducing irritation to the nerves in the brain stem and spinal cord that can trigger neurological dysfunction. While many seizure sufferers recall specific traumas such as head injuries, auto accidents or falls, some do not. In certain pediatric cases, the injury can occur from the normal birthing process. An upper cervical examination is necessary in each individual's case to assess whether an upper cervical injury is present and whether benefit from upper cervical care can be achieved.
Case Study Epilepsy/Seizure Disorders
Male, Age 23 years, Bipolar Disorder, Epilepsy, Sleep Disorder, Headaches, Back Pain
This 23-year-old male suffered a closed head injury at age 17 in which he landed on his head due to a pole-vaulting accident at a high school track meet. Since the fall, he suffered from bipolar disorder (rapid-cycling mood swings), seizures (2-3 per day), daily headaches, daily neck and back pain, and sleep disorder (he would often be awake for 24-36 straight hours before finally going to sleep and then often would sleep for 24 or more hours). He was taking tegretol for bipolar disorder and pain medication for headaches.
During this patient's upper cervical exam, an upper neck injury was found, most likely stemming from the pole-vaulting accident. The injury was compromising this patient's brain and spinal cord function. After five months of upper cervical care, all mood swings, headaches, seizures, pain, and sleep trouble were corrected, and all medications were discontinued. All family members remarked at the enormous change in the patient's mental outlook, personality, and health.
Female, Age 27 years, Seizures, Headaches, Neck Pain
This 27-year-old female was involved in a motor vehicle accident, after which she was diagnosed with whiplash, concussion, and brain injury. Shortly after the accident, she developed headaches, seizures, and pain in her neck and was medicated for those symptoms for several years before seeking help from upper cervical care.
During her initial examination, an upper neck injury was discovered, probably stemming from the auto accident. Within three months of upper cervical care, all headaches, seizures, and pain were absent and all medications were discontinued.
Female, Age 7 years, Seizure Disorder
This 7-year-old female experienced her first seizure at 5 weeks old. The seizures gradually increased until they occurred numerous times per day. It was also discovered fairly early on that this child was not developing properly mentally or physically. It was surmised she may have suffered some level of brain damage during the birth process because she was "blue" when she was born. At the age of 7, her mother described her development as being that of a 1- or 2-year-old. She was non-verbal and was confined to a wheel chair. She experienced petit mal seizures 5 times per day for approximately 20 seconds each and grand mal seizures 3 to 5 times per week.
During her initial upper cervical chiropractic evaluation, an upper neck injury was discovered. When questioned, her mother recalled that as an infant and small child, her daughter did not turn her head to the left. Her mother theorized that perhaps the neck injury occurred during the birth process.
After her initial upper cervical correction, a lessening in the number of seizures per week was noted. After one month of care, the number of grand mal seizures had decreased to 1-2 per week instead of 3-5. Petit mal seizures dropped substantially to very few being reported. She began to average several days per week without any seizures at all. In addition, her school teachers began reporting noticing more happiness, playing, and better attention span in this patient. After three months of care, only 3 grand mal seizures were reported in the previous 6 weeks. No other seizures were reported.
Female, Age 27 years, Seizures, Headaches, Neck Pain
This 27-year-old female was involved in a motor vehicle accident, after which she was diagnosed with whiplash, concussion, and brain injury. Shortly after the accident, she developed headaches, seizures, and pain in her neck and was medicated for those symptoms for several years before seeking help from upper cervical care.
During her initial examination, an upper neck injury was discovered, probably stemming from the auto accident. Within three months of upper cervical care, all headaches, seizures, and pain were absent and all medications were discontinued.
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