Son PMR & Chiropractic clinic

"When Routine Tests Show Nothing" – Solving Persistent Leg Numbness in a Hirayama Disease Patient Hello, this is Dr.   Son’s Rehabilitation Medicine & Chiropractic clinic . Today, I want to share a profound clinical success story involving a 20-year-old patient. This case illustrates how a holistic, neuro-mechanical approach can solve debilitating pain that standard hospital tests—and even prestigious university hospitals—often miss. 1. The Patient's Story: Living Life Standing Up This young patient had a history of Hirayama Disease (monomelic amyotrophy) during his student years. Although the primary condition had stabilized, he was left with a new, agonizing symptom: extreme numbness in both feet. The Agony of Sitting: The numbness became so unbearable when sitting that he had to remain standing most of the day. Sleepless Nights: The paresthesia intensified at night, making restorative sleep impossible. The "Normal" Test Results: He had received three ...

"The X-ray was fine, but it still hurts"—Finding a Hidden Fracture in an 80-year-old Patient Hello, this is Dr. Son’s Rehabilitation & Physical Medicine & Chiropractic Clinic. Today, I would like to share a clinical case that highlights why a "second look" and clinical experience are so vital. We recently had an 80-year-old patient visit our clinic after searching for answers through AI and online health portals. 1. Persistent Pain Despite Previous Treatment The patient had been suffering from severe foot pain. Before coming to us, they had already visited another clinic where X-rays were taken. They were told, "There are no fractures," and received an injection. However, the pain did not subside, and the swelling grew worse. Frustrated by the lack of progress, the patient found our clinic online and sought a more definitive diagnosis. 2. Swelling and Heat: More Than Just an Infection? Upon examination, I noticed significant swelling (edema) and lo...

Feeling Tension in Your Jaw? Check Your Tongue Position Hello, this is Dr. Son  Rehabilitation Medicine & Chiropractic Clinic . Do you often feel tightness in your jaw or hear a "clicking" sound when you open your mouth? As a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist and a licensed chiropractor, I’d like to share a simple yet scientifically proven method to relieve jaw tension using the English "/n/" sound. 1. The Science Behind the "/n/" Sound In speech pathology and rehabilitation, the position your tongue takes when pronouncing the letter "N" is one of the most relaxed states for your jaw. Here is how it works: Establishing the 'Physiological Rest Position': To make the /n/ sound, your teeth must naturally part by about 2–3mm. This small gap creates what we call the "rest position," allowing the masseter and temporalis muscles (the primary chewing muscles) to stop contracting and finally relax. Neurological Rec...

'Upper Cervical' Spine Hello, this is Dr. Son , Director of  Dr  Son Rehabilitation Medicine & Chiropractic clinic , located in Seoul. Many patients visit our clinic complaining of mysterious symptoms: "Both of my hands feel numb," or "One side of my body feels heavy and tingly." Often, they’ve already had lumbar or lower cervical MRIs with no significant findings. If you experience numbness in both hands or unilateral limb tingling along with TMJ (jaw) issues , the root cause is likely a misalignment of the Upper Cervical Spine (C1-C2) .  Upper Cervical Syndrome: Integrated Checklist If you check 5 or more of the following, you may have an Upper Cervical Subluxation (misalignment). 1. Neurological Signs (The Red Flags) [ ] Bilateral Hand Numbness: Tinging or numbness in both palms or fingertips simultaneously. [ ] Hemilateral Symptoms: A heavy, numb sensation affecting only one side (arm and leg) of the body. [ ] Paresthesia: Sensations of "p...

[Post-Accident Recovery] Why Your MRI is "Normal" but You’re Still in Pain: Understanding Upper Cervical Syndrome By Dr. Son, Physiatrist & US-Licensed Chiropractor After a car accident, many patients are told by hospitals that their X-rays or MRIs are "clear" and "there are no fractures or disc herniations." Yet, they continue to suffer from persistent headaches, dizziness, and neck stiffness. If this sounds like you, the root cause might be Upper Cervical Syndrome —a subtle misalignment of the topmost vertebrae that governs your entire nervous system. 1. What is the "Upper Cervical" Spine? The upper cervical spine consists of the first two vertebrae: the C1 (Atlas) and C2 (Axis) . Unlike the rest of the spine, these two do not have discs between them; they are held in place primarily by ligaments to allow for maximum head rotation. During a car accident, the "whiplash" effect can cause these vertebrae to shift by just a few milli...

Why We Must Consider the Cranium, Cervical Spine, Jaw, and Upper Thoracic Spine in Upper Cervical Syndrome By Dr. Son, Physiatrist & US-Licensed Chiropractor  When patients visit our clinic with chronic headaches, dizziness, or persistent neck pain, they are often surprised when we examine their jaw or upper back as well. In modern rehabilitation medicine, we don't just look at the neck in isolation. Today, we will explore the clinical necessity of treating the Cranio-Cervico-Mandibular-Thoracic unit as a single functional entity. 🏗️ The 'Control Tower' of the Body: The Upper Cervical Complex  The upper cervical spine ( $C1$ Atlas and $C2$ Axis) serves as the gateway between the brain and the rest of the body. However, its alignment and function are deeply intertwined with surrounding structures. 1. The Cranium and Upper Cervical: The Neurological Switch The suboccipital muscles located between the skull ( $C0$ ) and the upper cervical spine have the highest density...