Sneezing, stuffed up and tired of allergy season?
Itchy eyes, a runny nose, a scratchy throat and a head that feels full: allergies can follow you through the day and keep you up at night. Alongside the care your allergist or doctor provides, gentle upper cervical care looks at the neck and shoulder tension that can come with a stuffed-up head.
What are allergies?
An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to something that is normally harmless, such as pollen, dust mites, mold, pet dander or certain foods. The body releases chemicals like histamine, and that causes sneezing, itching, congestion or a rash. Allergies can be seasonal or year-round, and an allergist or medical doctor can help find your triggers.
A severe allergic reaction, with swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, wheezing or trouble breathing, is an emergency. Call 911 right away.
Common signs include:
- Sneezing and a runny or stuffy nose
- Itchy, watery or red eyes
- An itchy throat, or drip down the back of the throat
- Coughing or wheezing
- Skin rashes, hives or itching
- Sinus pressure, headaches or tiredness
- A family history of allergies, asthma or eczema
- Pollen, dust mites, mold and pet dander
- Certain foods, medicines or insect stings
- Smoke, pollution and strong scents that irritate the airways
- Ongoing stress and poor sleep, which can make symptoms feel worse
What causes allergies?
Allergies develop when the body learns to react to something that is normally harmless, and things that play a part include:
Neck tension is common alongside congestion and sinus pressure, and a stiff neck can make a stuffed-up head feel heavier. Upper cervical chiropractors look at the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) at the top of the neck for strain that may add to that tension.
How upper cervical care can help
Upper cervical care does not remove an allergy, and it does not replace allergy testing, prescribed medicine or an emergency epinephrine pen. What we can do is look at your neck and posture, and ease strain at the top of the neck with a gentle adjustment. Our goal is comfort: less neck and sinus-area tension and better rest, while you keep following your allergy plan.
Allergy symptoms often come with neck and sinus tension, head pressure and poor sleep. Our goal is a neck that feels freer and nights that feel more restful, though results vary. Keep using the medicine and avoidance steps your doctor recommends, and see an allergist if your symptoms are severe or not well controlled.
Sinus and neck tension
Congestion and sinus pressure often come with a stiff neck and tight shoulders. We check your neck and posture for strain that may add to that heavy, stuffed-up feeling.
Posture and neck comfort
Forward head posture can leave the neck and shoulders tight, which feels worse when you are already congested. We look at how your head and shoulders are carried.
Your allergy plan stays
Keep your allergy testing, your allergist and any prescribed medicine, including an epinephrine pen if you carry one. Upper cervical care is meant to add to them, not take their place.
Sleeping through the season
Congestion and itching can wreck a night’s sleep, which makes symptoms feel worse the next day. We keep an eye on how you are sleeping as care goes on.
What to expect
Day 1
Your first visit
A consultation with the doctor at the office you choose, a thorough exam, and 3D imaging of your cervical spine with our CBCT scanner. We also do a detailed posture evaluation with advanced software, neurological testing and muscle assessments.
Day 2
Your report of findings
The doctor goes over your history, your exam and posture results, your neurological findings and your 3D images with you, and explains a care plan made for you.
Ongoing
Gentle care, checked as you go
Gentle upper cervical adjustments with no twisting, cracking or popping, and regular progress checks so your plan follows how you are doing.
Why choose Apollo?
Specialized care
We focus on upper cervical chiropractic, a highly targeted and refined approach.
A plan made for you
Every patient is different. Your care plan is built around your own exam and your 3D imaging.
Gentle, with no cracking
Our methods are very gentle: no twisting, cracking or popping.
An experienced doctor
Dr. Kosta Tsakalos brings deep clinical experience and a caring, detail-oriented approach to every visit.
Every person is different, and results vary. Read what our patients say on our testimonials page.
Let us help you get started
If you are dealing with allergy trouble, we are here to help. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Kosta Tsakalos and find out whether upper cervical chiropractic care is right for you.
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This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis or medical advice. If your symptoms are sudden or severe, please seek medical care right away.