What are Ear Problems?
The ear is a complex yet delicate organ of hearing and balance. Several conditions can affect the ear, such as tinnitus, earaches, hearing loss, balance disorders, or vertigo. Generally, such problems fall under the umbrella term of “ear problems.”
Ear problems can be caused by various issues. Sometimes to get to the root of chronic or unexplained ear problems, the best route is through treating the spine. More and more, research shows there is a connection between the ear and the upper cervical spine.
Signs and Symptoms of Ear Problems
Some common symptoms of ear problems include ear pain, drainage, a feeling of fullness in the ear, or a buzzing/ringing in the ear. Sometimes, especially with inner ear problems, you may experience nausea, have difficulty balancing, or it may feel like the world is spinning around you in more serious cases of vertigo.
Some people with ear problems may suffer from a loss of hearing. Sometimes you may not even realize your hearing has become impaired, but you may notice some sounds are muffled and hard to make out. You may have trouble understanding what people are saying, or people around you may notice you’ve been turning up the volume on your devices more than usual.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects the Ear
The upper cervical spine is made up of the seven uppermost vertebrae. These vertebrae are just below the brain stem and are in close proximity to the nerves and tubes that lead to the ear, throat, and nasal cavities. These small tubes, called eustachian tubes, play an essential role in equalizing air pressure and draining fluids.
If the upper cervical spine is misaligned, it can cause inflammation in the neck and craniofacial muscles. This kind of inflammation may cause pressure on the eustachian tubes, interfering with drainage and pressure regulation. This can cause many of the ear problems discussed above.
How Our Ear Treatment Works
If the underlying cause of ear problems is a spinal misalignment, then realignment of the spine will be an essential step to put you on the road to healing. Dr. Christina Coblish and Dr. Ryan Moeskau of Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Boulder are specialists in treating the upper cervical spine and can help you with your ear problem.
Dr. Coblish and Dr. Moeskau are trained experts in the Blair Chiropractic Technique. This is a modern technique that combines advanced medical technology and gentle pressure to help correct misalignments of the upper cervical spine.
Treatment begins with advanced 3D diagnostic imaging tools to help our doctors calculate spinal misalignments. Exact calculations of your unique anatomy allow doctors to use low-force methods in precise locations to make gentle, safe corrections. The Blair Chiropractic Technique is a safe, effective, drug-free, non-invasive treatment for many ear problems.
If you’ve been plagued by ear pain, call our office for a consultation. We cover Boulder, Longmont, Louisville, Erie, Lafayette, Broomfield, and Denver in Colorado.