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    The sixteenth annual upper cervical conference was held at Life University in Marietta, Georgia in November 1999. A study presented at the conference found that patients under chiropractic care experienced a measurable increase in brain function.

    Microcog is a computer administered and scored test that serves as a diagnostic tool to determine cognitive (brain) function. It measures activity in nine categories: attention/mental control, memory, reasoning/calculation, spatial processing, reaction time, information processing speed, information processing accuracy, general cognitive functioning and general cognitive proficiency.

    A total of 40 patients had their brain function measured by Microcog. 30 of these patients received upper cervical (neck) chiropractic adjustments and 10 served as a control group receiving no adjustments. Four weeks later, all 40 patients were tested by the Microcog system again.

    According to the study, "significant improvements were observed in neurocognitive [brain] function in the group receiving upper cervical care. The control group did not demonstrate a similar trend. This study suggests that upper cervical chiropractic care may positively affect neurocognitive function."

    The World Health Organization defines "health" as 100% physical, mental and social well-being. A nervous system free of interference is vital to the full expression of all these aspects of your health potential. Chiropractic works to restore health by removing interference to your nervous system.

The spine is an elegant and complex structure.  Its 33 vertebrae (the bones that protect the spinal cord and support the head and torso) fit together with a system of joints that allow it to bend and twist.

 If a problem develops in the joints of the spine, pain and limited movement may occur.  One such problem  that you may not have heard of is facet syndrome.  This common condition is the root cause of many cases of back and neck pain.  The good news is that facet syndrome can be managed.

The term Facet Syndrome describes the symptoms that come with degeneration of the facet joints, meaning the breakdown of the cartilage that separates the bones in each joint.  The disorder is most common in older adults (Spine 1988;13:966-71).

Signs and Causes

I find that symptoms typically include dull, aching pain, particularly with movement, and tenderness of the joints when touched through the skin.  Patients with facet syndrome generally do not have leg pain, muscle pain or related neurological problems (Pain 1996;68:79-83).

Some evidence shows that cervical facet syndrome often shows up secondary to whiplash.

Pitfalls of Conventional Treatments

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen are often recommended to relieve the pain of facet syndrome.  I caution against relying on drugs to treat musculoskeletal pain.  Recent research calls into question the effectiveness of these painkillers against back pain (Expert Opin Pharmacother 2004;5:2091-8).

When used regularly over an extended period, NSAIDs can do much more harm than good, causing gastrointestinal maladies such as ulcers and stomach bleeding.  The risk of these side effects is amplified in older age.

Injected corticosteroids are another option for controlling pain from facet syndrome, but research does not show that they are effective over the long term (Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2006:CD005328).

Surgical correction of facet syndrome by fusing vertebrae together not only carries the risks of any major surgery but also is only inconsistently effective (Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen 1992;112:876-80).

Chiropractic:  All-Natural Solution

Research published this spring from the University of Johannesburg heralds a safer solution for the discomfort of facet syndrome.  One week after completing therapies, patients who recieved chiropractic care reported significantly decreased pain and disability.  They also reported increased ease completing daily activities.

Another study compared chiropractic care with NSAIDs for back pain.  Chiropractic adjustments cut pain severity and disability by nearly a third - results that could not be replicated by the painkillers (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2000;23:239-45).

How Chiropractic Works

Rather than depending on drugs, chiropractic champions the body's natural ability to heal itself.  Chiropractic care can reduce discomfort and slow the progress of joint degeneration.

Using gentle maneuvers called chiropractic adjustments, the doctor corrects vertebral subluxations, relieving pain and improving range of motion. 

If you are seeking relief from back or neck pain and suspect that facet syndrome is to blame, drug-free relief may be just a phone call away.  Schedule a chiropractic evaluation today!