'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 "pins and needles" or crawling insects on the skin.

  • [ ] Loss of Grip Strength: Difficulty with fine motor tasks or frequently dropping objects.

2. TMJ & Craniofacial Symptoms

  • [ ] Jaw Clicking: Popping or grinding sounds (crepitus) when opening/closing the mouth.

  • [ ] Deviation: The jaw moves in a 'Z' or 'S' pattern rather than a straight line when opening.

  • [ ] Facial Asymmetry: Noticeable imbalance in eye, ear, or mouth-corner height in the mirror.

  • [ ] Bruxism: Waking up with a tight, sore jaw or teeth marks on the tongue.

3. Cephalic & Autonomic Symptoms

  • [ ] Cervicogenic Headaches: Chronic pain starting from the base of the skull radiating to the eyes.

  • [ ] Vertigo & Tinnitus: Dizziness or ringing in the ears despite normal ENT results.

  • [ ] Visual Pressure: Blurred vision or a feeling of pressure behind the eyes.

  • [ ] Brain Fog: Chronic fatigue and difficulty concentrating even after rest.

 Clinical Evidence: Why the Upper Cervical Spine Matters

As a Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist with a U.S. Chiropractic (D.C.) License , I focus on these two primary medical mechanisms:

1. Spinothalamic Tract Compression The Upper Cervical area is the gateway where the brainstem transitions into the spinal cord. A misalignment here can put mechanical stress on the Spinothalamic tract. Unlike a typical disc herniation that affects a specific nerve root, this causes global neurological errors like bilateral hand numbness or hemiparetic sensations.

2. The Cervico-Trigeminal Complex The nucleus of the Trigeminal nerve (which controls the jaw) actually extends down into the C1-C3 levels of the spinal cord. This "Cervico-Trigeminal Complex" explains why a misalignment at C1/C2 directly triggers TMJ dysfunction, jaw pain, and facial tension.

👨‍⚕️ A Message from Dr. Son

The Upper Cervical spine acts as the "Master Switch" of your entire nervous system. If the switch is flipped the wrong way, treating the "light bulbs" (your hands or jaw) won't solve the problem.

At Dr Son Rehabilitation Medicine & Chiropractic clinic, we use precise diagnostic tools to analyze your C1-C2 alignment and restore the flow of your nervous system. If you are struggling with persistent numbness and haven't found a solution, visit us in Seoul.

👍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)

chson@daum.net

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