Some other symptoms of C1 and C2 injuries include;
Did you know that many pain, injury, and illness symptoms are caused by spinal injuries and subluxations?
This blog post is the first of a three-part series that will be breaking down each section of the spine into its respective regions, the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar area, while also detailing the type of symptoms that injuries to each specific area can cause.
If you’re experiencing constant neck pain, it’s important to visit a neck pain doctor.
If experiencing neck pain, it is also possible that you have developed “text neck” For more information read our blog post, “Text Neck”: Shocking Facts you Don’t Want to Miss.
Depending on the type of accident that caused your spinal injury, your resulting symptoms can range from extremely severe, like paralysis, to minor ailments that will heal on their own.
Below is the breakdown of the C1-C7 vertebrae and the symptoms each has the potential to cause when they become damaged or compressed.
This list can uncover many issues you may have been dealing with for years but you had no idea that it traced back to an old injury you might have suffered years ago.
With that being said…
Let’s dig in!
The C1 vertebra is known as Atlas, and the C2 is known as Axis. The first two segments of the cervical spine are made up of these two vertebrae.
These vertebrae support the head and work together in order to allow the head to rotate.
Therefore, any injury to one of these vertebrae can cause limited ability to move the head or neck.
The Atlas is vitally important to the function of the rest of the spinal cord, and some chiropractors specialize in only adjusting the Atlas because its effects are so powerful on the rest of the spine and its function.
Consequently, most medical professionals consider injuries to the first and second vertebrae in the cervical spine to be the most serious type of spinal cord injury.
This is because severe damage to the C1 or C2 commonly causes full paralysis or death.
The C3 vertebra is slightly less fragile than the first two, but severe injuries can still occur if badly damaged.
Individuals who experience spinal cord damage in this area usually suffer from limited mobility with the “flexion and extension” movement of the neck.
The symptoms of C3 vertebra damage, can range from severe to potentially unnoticeable, for example:
Damage to the C4 vertebra directly affects the diaphragm, which means victims of severe spinal cord injury in this area often require constant support in order to breathe and maintain healthy oxygen levels.
Some of the symptoms individuals will suffer from a spinal cord injury to the C4 vertebra include:
C5 vertebral damage does not usually cause paralysis or the inability to breathe or speak on one’s own.
However, some symptoms of a C5 spinal cord injury can still be traumatic and take time to heal and recover fully.
Some of the most common symptoms patients experience are:
One of the most common symptoms people experience after suffering a C6 injury is a similar to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Victims will feel a numbness or tingling in their fingers, hands, or arms.
Additionally, pressure on the C6 nerve can cause problems with muscle control in the forearms and wrists.
Symptoms of a C6 vertebra injury can be experienced on one or both sides of the body.
The patient may also experience the following:
The last vertebra in the cervical spine is the C7.
Individuals who have suffered injuries to this vertebra can potentially experience more severe symptoms like, numbness or tingling in the hands and fingers.
However, some more common and less serious conditions as a result of an injury to this area include,
There are many potential causes of a spinal injury, but below is a list of the most common injuries our accident doctors see and treat on a daily basis.
If you are in pain after sustaining a cervical spine injury call the professional chiropractic doctors at Arrowhead Clinic today.
Our doctors specialize in helping victims of accidents that sustain an injury to the neck and back.
Founder and doctor Dr. Harry W. Brown, D.C., a native of Atlanta, Georgia, and graduate of Logan College of Chiropractic opened his first chiropractic office in Savannah, Georgia, in 1977. The local community instantly recognized his commitment and caring dedication to his patients. In 1979, Dr. Harry W. Brown, D.C. moved back to his home in Atlanta and opened his second chiropractic office in Jonesboro, Georgia. With a commitment to the highest levels of patient care, Arrowhead quickly became the largest chiropractic facility in Georgia. Today, Arrowhead has 17 chiropractic clinics in the Atlanta, Savannah, Brunswick, Albany, and Hinesville areas. Arrowhead Clinic has treated over 400,000 accident victims in the last 48+ Years and leads in the chiropractic industry. Arrowhead’s facilities have in-house X-ray machines to help diagnose injuries. After determining the full extent of a patient’s injuries, Arrowhead’s team of medical doctors, chiropractors, and injury treatment specialists build a custom treatment plan to get the patient back to living their best life! Motor vehicle accidents are the second leading cause of ER and hospital visits in the United States. Arrowhead Clinic specializes in car accident injuries, as these injuries profoundly impact many people’s lives, causing significant pain and reduced mobility. It is with the same caring attitude and dedication for people that led to Arrowhead Clinics’ success that is found in every one of Dr. Harry W. Brown’s chiropractic clinics today.
Dr. Toney graduated from Georgia Southern University with a BA in Biology and minors in Chemistry and Business Management. He then finished up his education at Life University, where he received a Masters in Exercise Science/Sports Chiropractic with an emphasis in Sports Injury, and a Doctorate in Chiropractic Medicine.
“You never know where life is going to take you, so enjoy the journey.” -Dr. James E. Toney Jr., DC
Dr. Zellweger is the only health care professional in the surrounding area to be certified by the Titleist Performance Institute. With this certification, he is able to properly assess all golfers for proper biomechanics and functional movements specifically related to the golf swing. These assessments will allow golfers to not only maximize their potential on the course but also prevent unwanted injuries.
Dr. Zellweger also has advanced training in pediatrics and pregnancy. He is a true believer that everyone can greatly benefit from chiropractic care, regardless of age, since treatment is tailored to each individual.
Dr. Darris Gentry has been a practicing chiropractor for over 20 years. He graduated from the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga and Life University, one of the country’s top chiropractic schools.
He enjoys treating patients who have back pain, neck pain, sciatica pain, and spinal trauma from all sorts of accidents. His main goal is to help his patients physically improve and reduce and manage their pain.
Dr. Weldon is a distinguished chiropractor based in the Greater Atlanta Area with over twenty years plus with dedicated experience in the field.
Dr. Weldon’s approach is designed to enhance his patient’s overall health and optimize their physical performance. He specializes in several techniques but not limited to Gonstead, Full Spine, Thompson, Extremity Adjusting, Myofascial Release, Sports Rehabilitation, Strength Training, Rock Taping and Cupping.
Dr. Calvin Erhabor graduated with a Bachelors in Biological Sciences from Alcon State University in 2007.
Dr. Erhabor is board certified by the National Board of Chiropractors Association and is a member of the Mississippi Chiropractic Association and the Georgia Chiropractic Association.
Dr. Erhabor believes that his primary purpose is to truly understand his patients and the situation they are facing. He believes that every patient should be treated with respect, dignity, and above all else, be seen as a whole person and not as the condition or ailment they suffer from. Dr. Erhabor’s mission is to restore health and help community members reach their potential.
