Neurological Symptoms and Gonstead Chiropractic: Understanding the Spine and Nervous System

The spine and nervous system are closely connected.

The spinal cord travels through the spinal canal, while pairs of spinal nerves exit between the vertebrae and travel throughout the body. These nerves carry information between the brain, spinal cord, muscles, skin, and other tissues.

Because of this close relationship, problems involving the spine can sometimes be associated with nerve-related symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness.

This is one reason why a careful spinal examination can be important when a patient presents with neurological-type symptoms.

However, it is equally important to understand that not every neurological problem originates in the spine, and chiropractic care is not a treatment for every neurological disease.

The first step is determining what may actually be causing the symptoms.

What Is the Nervous System?

The nervous system is the body's communication network.

It consists primarily of the:

• Brain
• Spinal cord
• Peripheral nerves

The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system, while the nerves that extend throughout the body make up the peripheral nervous system.

The nervous system controls and coordinates many functions, including movement, sensation, balance, and communication between different parts of the body.

The spinal column provides protection and support for the spinal cord while also allowing movement.

This close anatomical relationship means that spinal problems can sometimes affect nearby nerve structures.

How Can a Spinal Problem Affect a Nerve?

Nerves leaving the spinal cord travel through openings between the vertebrae.

If these areas become narrowed or irritated, a nerve root can sometimes become affected.

Potential causes include:

• Disc herniation
• Disc degeneration
• Spinal arthritis
• Bone spurs
• Spinal stenosis
• Injury or trauma
• Inflammation
• Changes in spinal mechanics

When a spinal nerve root is irritated, symptoms may travel away from the spine.

For example, irritation of a lumbar nerve root can produce symptoms extending into the buttock or leg. Irritation of a cervical nerve root can produce symptoms extending into the shoulder, arm, or hand.

These conditions are commonly described as radiculopathy when neurological deficits such as weakness, sensory changes, or altered reflexes are present.

What Do Nerve-Related Symptoms Feel Like?

Nerve-related symptoms can be different from ordinary muscle or joint pain.

Some people describe:

• Numbness
• Tingling
• Burning
• Pins-and-needles sensations
• Electric or shooting pain
• Increased sensitivity
• Weakness
• Changes in reflexes

The distribution of the symptoms can sometimes provide important information about which nerve or nerve root may be involved.

However, symptoms alone are not enough to determine the cause.

A proper examination is important.

Not Every Neurological Symptom Comes From the Spine

This is an important distinction.

Headaches, dizziness, numbness, weakness, balance problems, visual changes, and other neurological symptoms can have many possible causes.

Some may involve the musculoskeletal system, while others may originate from the brain, blood vessels, peripheral nerves, metabolic conditions, medications, or other medical problems.

For this reason, a chiropractor should not assume that every neurological symptom is caused by a spinal problem.

When symptoms suggest a potentially serious neurological condition, appropriate medical evaluation and referral should take priority.

The Importance of a Neurological Examination

When a patient reports neurological symptoms, a careful history and examination can help determine whether the symptoms appear to be associated with a musculoskeletal or spinal problem.

Depending on the presentation, an examination may include evaluation of:

• Muscle strength
• Sensation
• Reflexes
• Coordination
• Balance
• Gait
• Range of motion
• Spinal movement
• Orthopedic findings
• Nerve-related symptoms

The patient's medical history and previous injuries are also important.

When appropriate, imaging or additional diagnostic testing may be recommended.

How Does Gonstead Chiropractic Approach Neurological Symptoms?

The Gonstead System emphasizes a detailed examination of the spine and the relationship between spinal structure, movement, and function.

The goal is not to assume that every neurological symptom is caused by a spinal "misalignment."

Instead, the examination looks for specific mechanical findings that may help explain a patient's musculoskeletal symptoms.

A Gonstead examination may include:

• Detailed patient history
• Postural analysis
• Palpation
• Evaluation of spinal motion
• Instrument analysis
• Weight-bearing assessment
• Evaluation of the pelvis and extremities
• Orthopedic and neurological testing when indicated

If the examination suggests that chiropractic care may be appropriate, treatment can be directed toward the specific spinal or musculoskeletal findings identified during the examination.

Nerve Irritation Is Different From Neurological Disease

This distinction is especially important.

A patient with a lumbar disc problem and nerve-root irritation may experience sciatica, numbness, tingling, or weakness.

That does not mean the patient has a primary neurological disease.

Similarly, a patient with neck-related nerve irritation may experience symptoms traveling into the arm or hand.

These are different from conditions such as:

• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson's disease
• Epilepsy
• Stroke
• Brain tumors
• Neurodegenerative disorders

These conditions require appropriate medical and neurological care.

Chiropractic care should not be presented as a substitute for that care.

The Goal Is to Identify the Source of the Symptoms

When someone experiences numbness, tingling, weakness, or radiating pain, the most important question is not simply:

"How can we make the symptom disappear?"

A more important question is:

"What is causing the symptom?"

For example, leg pain may be related to lumbar nerve-root irritation, but it could also have another cause.

Similarly, numbness in the hand could be associated with the cervical spine, but it could also involve a peripheral nerve such as the median or ulnar nerve.

A thorough evaluation helps determine which possibilities should be considered.

When Neurological Symptoms Require Immediate Medical Attention

Some neurological symptoms should never be assumed to be caused by a spinal alignment problem.

Seek emergency medical attention for symptoms such as:

• Sudden facial drooping
• Sudden difficulty speaking
• Sudden severe weakness or numbness, particularly on one side
• Sudden loss of coordination
• Sudden severe vision changes
• Sudden severe headache unlike previous headaches
• Loss of consciousness
• New severe difficulty walking

These can be signs of a serious neurological emergency, including stroke.

Similarly, new severe neck pain or headache accompanied by neurological symptoms requires prompt medical evaluation. Cervical artery dissection is an uncommon but important condition that can present with headache or neck pain followed by neurological or visual symptoms.

Chiropractic Care Should Be Individualized

Not every patient with neurological-type symptoms should receive the same treatment.

Some patients may have a mechanical spinal problem that can appropriately be managed conservatively.

Others may require:

• Medical evaluation
• Neurological consultation
• Orthopedic evaluation
• Diagnostic imaging
• Physical therapy
• Medication
• Surgical consultation
• Emergency treatment

The appropriate approach depends on the diagnosis and the individual patient's clinical findings.

How Nova Gonstead Chiropractic Can Help

At Nova Gonstead Chiropractic in Fairfax, Virginia, we take a detailed approach to evaluating patients with spinal and nerve-related complaints.

When symptoms such as radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness are present, we look at the relationship between the patient's symptoms and the findings of the spinal and neurological examination.

The goal is to determine whether there are identifiable spinal or musculoskeletal factors that may be contributing to the patient's condition and whether chiropractic care is appropriate.

Gonstead chiropractic care is not intended to replace neurological or medical treatment when a patient has a neurological disease or requires medical care.

Instead, chiropractic care may be considered as part of a broader healthcare approach when the patient's condition is appropriate for conservative spinal care.

Your Nervous System Deserves a Careful Evaluation

The nervous system is one of the most important systems in the human body.

When you experience numbness, tingling, weakness, radiating pain, balance problems, or other neurological symptoms, it is important to understand where those symptoms are coming from rather than automatically assuming that they are caused by the spine.

A careful history, physical examination, and appropriate diagnostic evaluation can help distinguish a mechanical spinal problem from a condition requiring other medical care.

If your symptoms appear to be related to the spine or musculoskeletal system, Nova Gonstead Chiropractic in Fairfax, Virginia can evaluate your spinal mechanics and determine whether Gonstead chiropractic care may be appropriate for your condition.

NoVA Gonstead Chiropractic Clinic
9514 Lee Hwy (Route 29), Suite B
Fairfax, VA 22031
(703) 359-6262