Dysafferentation and the Upper Cervical Spine
In the upper cervical spine, there are four main structures to focus on. They are:
The Foramen Magnum of the Occipital bone
The Atlas vertebra (1st cervical bone)
The Axis vertebra (2nd cervical bone)
The Brainstem of the Nerve System.
The Brainstem exits from the Foramen Magnum. The Atlas and Axis bones protect and surround the Brainstem. The brainstem connects all the nerves from the brain to the nerves of the body.
In Upper Cervical Chiropractic, the focus is on the neurophysiology and biomechanics of the Craniocervical Joint and how it effects all other areas of the body in some way, shape or form.
Regarding Dysafferentation, the focus is on the afferent nerve fibers located in the upper cervical spine.
Nerve information relays between the brain and the body through two types of nerve fibers. Efferent nerve fibers transmit information from the brain to the body. Afferent nerve fibers transmit information from the body to the brain. This cycle of “output/input” is vital for the Central Nerve System to adapt to ever-changing internal and external environmental cues.
The Nerve System in general does four main things:
It controls all the movements we make
Senses everything we feel
Regulates all our body organs
Relates us to the outside world
When nerves get stressed, it effects their sensitivity, perception and behavior. There are three types of stress we deal with in life. The stresses are physical, chemical and emotional in nature. These stresses create nerve tension and spine imbalance.
One specific function of the brainstem is to adapt to these stresses and help restore the spine to balance. If the stresses are too great for the brainstem to adapt, compensations arise. One particular compensation that occurs in the upper cervical spine is a vertebral subluxation.
A vertebral subluxation causes the Atlas and Axis bones to become locked in a misaligned position. This lock will perpetuate spine imbalance and Nerve System tension. This tension will lead to abnormal sensitivity, perception and behavior of the brainstem and surrounding nerves. Nerve System function is disrupted.
Over time, this disruption can lead to symptoms. The usual symptoms of Dysafferentation are:
Pain
Altered sensation
Restricted Range of Motion
Headaches and Dizziness
Cognitive or emotional disturbances
Contribute to digestive issues, asthma, and sleep disturbances