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Barking Dog Syndrome

Headaches and neck pain image.

Many new patients ask us why we examine their lower back, when their problem is in their neck and shoulders. Two words: compensation reactions.

While it's tempting to think of regional parts of the spine, it must be viewed in its entirety.

Your body is constantly adapting to the force of gravity. Just as a house foundation that settles produces ceiling cracks and doors and windows that don’t open and close properly, your spine does the same thing. Problems in the pelvis, knees, ankles and feet can often show up as problems in the neck. But the actual problem occurs with the foundation of the spine.

This is based on the principle of equilibrium. If you were to tilt your head to the right, you could only maintain your head this way for a while before your body would curve some other area of your spine to support your head.

We refer to this as the barking dog syndrome. If you accidentally step on a dog's tail, it will bark. The symptom (the bark) comes out of its mouth, but the problem is with your foot on its tail! To alleviate the symptom, you have to address the cause.

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Dr. Jeri Asks some important questions of interest to Sacramento residents - Chiropractor Sacramento Dr. Jeri Asks...

Could a chiropractor put an end to bedwetting?
If bladder control seems elusive, consider chiropractic. If spinal bones are interfering with nerves that control your child's bladder, plastic sheets, alarms and other methods simply add to the embarrassment. Sacramento parents are often amazed (and relieved) that chiropractic can be so helpful. Learn more.
Do nerves actually get pinched?
Chiropractors recognize two types of nerve disorders involved in subluxation. The least common is a pinched nerve that diminishes nerve supply to an affected organ or tissue. More common is the irritated nerve (facilitative lesion) which overexcites nerve communications to an affected organ or tissue. Chiropractic care has been shown to help with both types.