Question
Eight years ago I hit the top of my head on a solid beam.
and have experienced numbness and sensations of weakness
in arms and legs.

I have had some chiropractic care five years ago with no
significant results.

Two years ago I was finely able to get an MRI which looked normal.

Lately when I flex and extend my neck there are popping
cracking sounds which is sometimes painful.
My guess these sound are from facet joints but I don't know.

However my primary concern, the reason for me wrighting
is often when I rotate extend or flex my neck I feel
a heaviness and tingling in my legs.

Does this sound like something directly related to the spinal chord, or is it more likely that just moving my
neck could change the position of lumbar vertabre and
aggravate nerve roots going into my legs from there?

Concerned.
      Thanks.

Answer
Hello Tavish,

Sorry to hear of your condition.

"However my primary concern, the reason for me wrighting
is often when I rotate extend or flex my neck I feel
a heaviness and tingling in my legs.", with symptoms like that, I would certainly be very concerned.

I recommend an in-person, hands-on examination.

Since you tried Chiropractic once and did not believe it helped you, I would recommend a visit to the Neurologist.  The Neurologist should of course take a history, examine you, perform Xrays, refer for MRI- brain and neck, perform EMG testing.  These tests would (should) be performed by any licensed health professional you visit.  I know these are the tests I would order if you visited this Doctor of Chiropractic.

You need a physical examination.

Visit the local Doctor of your Choice.

In the Medical Arena, I would recommend a Neurologist.


If you need further, please do not hesitate to re-contact me here at
AllExperts.com
http://www.allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm


I wish you Good Luck and Good Health,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
Email newsletter: http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com




some information that may/ may not interest you:



Information I handout to my Staten Island Neck Pain Patients:



PAIN

Pain is a 憆ed light on the dashboard?

Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.

That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car-
-- do you ignore it until the car breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?

Pain,
pain in your body-
-- do you ignore it until your body breaks down, or do you get it checked and correct the problem?

Pain,
do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?
Take a painkiller, mask the pain, and allow a problem to progress in your body?

NOTICE ON PAIN RELIEVERS:

Label changes ORDERED by FDA; the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news 206- 207; 12-9-06) ;

The American Heart Association issued a scientific statement recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement 2-26-07).

NSAID Acceleration of ARTHRITIS; an important side effect of Aspirin and other NSAIDS is that it will inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage  destruction ( Journal of Rheumatology, 1982; 9: 3- 5 ). Many times people take NSAIDS for the pain of Arthritis, not realizing these drugs may make the underlying condition worse. These medications cover up the pain, and cause the problem to worsen.



Pain can often be the result of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.


Vertebral Subluxation ( 慥SC?, 憇ubluxation?)
Vertebral Subluxation is actually a quite common condition. Doctors of
Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties, and also look for 慡ubluxation? Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this). VSC- 慡ubluxation??can be the cause of many symptoms and conditions.


Only a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate and treat for VSC, as
well as other pathology.


The course of VSC is highly variable. Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights. Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC, some patients take years to develop symptoms. Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months. Some
people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.

A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.


The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position. When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition. Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.

Vertebral Subluxation cannot be corrected through chemicals
(medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone.
Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a
mechanical correction- - - a manipulation, best performed with
the chiropractic adjustment.

Dr. Victor E. Dolan, Doctor of Chiropractic; Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST Chief of Chiropractic in a  Hospital in New York State (DHSI); As Seen in PREVENTION Magazine





揝tiff Neck?

( Also Known As- wryneck, torticollis, neck muscle spasm )

-can be caused by big bad things: cancers, tumors, fractures, even heart attacks- only history/ examination/ evaluation by an appropriate health professional can differentiate these problems/ conditions.

USUALLY these complaints are neuro-musculo-skeletal.

For example: sometimes we can wake up with a 憇tiff neck? or a
muscle spasm.... sometimes a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, or even a motor vehicle accident can cause a 憇tiff neck?

Sometimes we just slept wrong ! Often- the true c a u s e of the
neck stiffness and pain; the underlying c a u s e of the complaint - is a misalignment, a 慿ink?in the neck - more properly termed a
Vertebral Subluxation. Treat the c a u s e, not just the symptoms - for  true improvement.

Vertebral Subluxation Complex (a.k.a. 憇ubluxation?
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many
healthcare problems. A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms  and problems.


This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:

Spinal Kinesiopathology:
This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their
normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.

Neuropathophysiology:
Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate
nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.

Myopathology:
Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and
go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.

Histopathology:
A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies
result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.

Pathophysiology:
Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse
malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.


The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.

Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol,
emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.

Vertebral Subluxation cannot be corrected through chemicals
(medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone. Subluxation-
a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical
correction- - - a manipulation, best performed with the chiropractic
adjustment. For good health- Treat the Cause, not just the Symptoms.

Dr. Victor E. Dolan, Doctor of Chiropractic; Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST Chief of Chiropractic in a Hospital in New York State (DHSI); As Seen in PREVENTION Magazine