Question
Hi

I HAVE BEEN BOTHERED BY FACIAL PAIN BLOCKED EARS AND BLOCKED FEELING IN THROAT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND THIS LEFT ME FOR SOME TIME,  DURING THE WEEK I TURNED IN MY SLEEP AND WOKE DUE TO A LOUD CLICK NOISE FROM MY NECK, SINCE THEN THESE SYMPTOMS HAVE RETURNED CAN YOU GET THESE SYMPTOMS FROM A NECK CLICKED OUT.  MY NECK FEELS TIGHT AND SORE AT BACK. CAN CHIRO'S HELP ME

Answer
Dear Sadie,

Yes chiropractic care can help.  Many times when the vertebra in the neck have "positional misalignments", they create inflammation around the nerve roots and in the musclular system which translates into pain.  The nerves to the face, neck, upper back, shoulders, and arms can be affected.  These positional misalignments are really better classified as small vertebral fixations and can be corrected with chiropractic adjustments and stretching.  

Concerning the blocked ears, the eustatian tube is the connection between your ear and your throat.  This connection (tube) is why you can pop your ears by swallowing.  This tube can become filled with mucus or the sides can be depressed so that they stick together creating the full, blocked feeling.  The adjustment will many times release the eustation tube as well as the vertebra which will allow it to drain or open up fully and help to eliminate discomfoft.  In addition you can pull on your ear lobe...outward and downward which will allow the tube to more fully open and ease your symptoms.

Concerning the tightness and sore neck, these are the symptoms that often bring people into the Chiropractic physician's office for an exam.  All chiropractors regardless of their chosen techniques will be able to help you with that.  We get great results in alleviating neck and back pain.

Sadie, I would definitely recommend a chiropractic evaluation for you.  Ask around...family, friends, and co-workers for a referral to a chiropractor they have seen and gotten good results from.  If you need any help finding a local doctor in your area, feel free to get back in touch with me and I will do some research for you.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman