Why Upper Cervical Treatment May Help Alleviate Eye and Ear Pain After Cervical Spine Surgery?

by Son PMR(Physical medicine & Rehabilitation ) & Chiropractic Clinic in Seoul

A middle-aged female patient visited our clinic after undergoing cervical spine surgery at the C5-6-7 levels about one year ago.
Although her neck pain gradually improved after surgery, she began to experience new symptoms—pain around her left eye and ear—which caused significant discomfort in daily life.
Despite thorough evaluations by ophthalmologists and ENT specialists, no specific abnormalities were found. Subsequently, she was referred to our clinic.

At the initial consultation, the patient not only reported neck discomfort but also persistent pain around her left eye and ear.
This pattern of symptoms was difficult to fully explain through ophthalmological or ENT causes alone.

Currently, she is undergoing upper cervical treatment at our clinic, and she has completed two sessions so far.
While the pain has not yet completely resolved, some reduction in intensity has been observed, and we plan to continue monitoring her progress carefully with further treatment.

Neurological Mechanisms: How Upper Cervical Treatment May Help Relieve Eye and Ear Pain

The potential for symptom improvement through upper cervical care can be explained by the following neurological mechanisms:

1. Connection Between the Upper Cervical Spine and the Trigeminal Spinal Nucleus

The upper cervical spine (C1–C2) is closely connected to the brainstem.
Sensory input from the upper cervical region is transmitted to the trigeminal spinal nucleus located in the medulla oblongata.
Since this nucleus is responsible for processing facial sensory information, dysfunction in the upper cervical spine can lead to pain in areas such as the eye and ear.

2. Dysregulation of the Autonomic Nervous System

The upper cervical spine also influences autonomic nervous system regulation through its relationship with the brainstem.
Following cervical spine surgery, compensatory postural changes or persistent muscle tension can trigger sympathetic nervous system hyperactivity at the upper cervical level.
This can manifest as facial discomfort or pain, particularly affecting the eye and ear regions.

3. Trigemino-Cervical Convergence Phenomenon

Recent studies have demonstrated that sensory inputs from the trigeminal nerve and cervical nerves converge within the brainstem.
Because of this convergence, dysfunction in the upper cervical spine can produce referred pain in the head, face, ear, and jaw regions.
This mechanism provides a neurological explanation for why upper cervical issues may present as eye or ear pain.

Current Treatment Progress

The patient is currently undergoing upper cervical alignment and functional restoration treatment and has completed two sessions.
Although complete resolution of symptoms has not yet been achieved, there has been a tendency toward symptom reduction, and we expect further improvements with continued care.

Conclusion

Eye and ear pain following cervical spine surgery at C5-6-7 levels may not solely result from issues at the surgical site.
Functional imbalance of the upper cervical spine may contribute to such symptoms via neurological pathways.
In such cases, restoring upper cervical balance through targeted treatment may play an important role in relieving facial pain.

👍Consultation and Appointment Information

Son PMR & Chiropractic Clinic( 2nd floor, 229-1 Gucheonmyun-Ro, Gangdongu, Seoul, South Korea) 

by  Dr Son MD & DC 
Contact: 02-482-8875 in Seoul( +82-2-482-8875)


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