Question
hello hows it going? im dan and 18 years old. well ive been ill for over two months my symptoms are constant light headed, fatigue,head pressure,panic attacks,and visual disturbances. I have seen doctors and all they found was sinusitis so after a month and a half of still being ill after taking antibiotics i am now seeing a chiropracter. she did xrays and found my c1c2 and i think c3 vertebra out of alignment. she says this is causing most of my symptoms. after 6 adjustments or so im not much better at all. I am wonderin if you think this is my problem? Also i have a slight occasional tingle in my left hand i didnt have before my adjustments and also sharp pains in my neck sometimes that are new as well with occasional new headaches. I am kind of worried about this do you think i should get it checked out for artery dissection or something? it also seems like i have SLIGHT loss of sensation but i think its from my anxiety causing derealization which ive had before. thanks alot

Answer
Dan,

It is true that the joints of the upper cervical spine can cause your symptoms.  X-ray to find bones out of alignment is no longer valid, so your DC needs to go back to school...    I know you are telling me that the doctors are only finding sinusitis, but I wonder about other things: are you taking any other medicines? Has mononucleosis been ruled out?  Has anyone mentioned doing an MRI of your brain or cervical spine?  Has anyone, including the DC (especially) listened to the front of your neck with a stethescope?   So, to recap: Yes!  Your upper neck can cause your symptoms, including visual disturbances, but you may have other things going on, too.  And, at 18 years of age, and given the list of symptoms you describe, I don't think artery dissection is likely.   

'Hope this helps.

Dr. G