Epilepsy Awareness and Chiropractic Care
Living with seizures is incredibly challenging and can have a huge impact on your quality of life. Often the stigmas and challenges associated with the disorder can be more challenging than the seizures themselves.
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes people to have seizures, but the exact cause is often unknown. This disorder affects people of all ages from newborns to seniors. Studies show an estimated 3.4 million Americans suffer from epilepsy, including 3 million adults and 470,000 children. A person must have two or more seizures to be diagnosed with epilepsy.
What are the far-reaching effects of seizures?
Seizures are placed in two primary categories: generalized and focal. Generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain, while focal seizures target one specific area of the brain. Because seizures are rooted in the central nervous system, they can impact all areas and systems of the body, and their effects can be from very mild to extremely severe and life-threatening.
Is Chiropractic care an effective form of seizure treatment?
Because seizures stem from the central nervous system, chiropractors are one of the best doctors to see when you’re struggling with seizures or seizure disorders. In the 19th century, scientists discovered that applying pressure to one of the two carotid arteries will stimulate the Vagus nerve and help prevent a seizure from occurring. Since this breakthrough, chiropractors have found that the upper cervical area of the spine affects the Vagus nerve. This knowledge helps chiropractors perform specific, gentle adjustments to the upper cervical area of the spine. In turn, this helps remove any vertebral subluxations and allows patients to better manage their seizures.
How we can help
Proper spinal alignment through chiropractic care has been shown to reduce pain, improve movement, reduce blood pressure and reduce seizure activity. If you or your loved one suffers from seizures of any kind of severity, contact our clinic in Clinton, MD to learn more about how neurologically-based chiropractic care can improve your overall health.