Main Main principles The impact on the cardiovascular system

The impact of head joints dysfunction on the cardiovascular system

Are you familiar with that sensation as if blood is abnormally pumping through your head? Do you hesitate to talk to a doctor about it, fearing that you might be misunderstood? Many people have resigned themselves to living with the feeling of increased pressure and disrupted blood circulation in their head, as medications only temporarily alleviate the vascular "turbulence."

Wouldn't it be better to eliminate the potential cause of the problem once and for all, rather than just suppress the symptoms with drugs? In practice, head joints dysfunction, along with misalignment of the cervical vertebrae, is one of the primary causes that directly or indirectly negatively impacts the major blood vessels.

How the circulatory system of the head and neck works

The human body has a closed circulatory system that operates through two circulatory circuits.

In the pulmonary circuit, blood is oxygenated in the lungs, and in the systemic circuit, it delivers oxygen to the tissues. Both circuits begin and end in the heart.

Although the brain makes up only 2% of the body’s weight, it requires a constant and substantial blood supply, consuming 15% of the minute volume of blood flow.

The brain’s oxygen consumption accounts for 20-25% of the total oxygen absorbed by the body during breathing.

The total amount of blood consumed by the brain ranges from 600 to 1200 ml/min.

Arteries carry blood to the head and neck (highlighted in red in the diagrams), while veins serve to drain and remove blood from the head and neck (highlighted in blue).

The impact of head joints dysfunction on the arteries of the head and neck

The brain is supplied with blood via the common carotid and vertebral arteries, which run along the left and right sides of the neck in pairs.

1. Carotid arteries provide approximately 70-85% of the brain's blood supply and form the carotid basin.

2. Vertebral arteries provide about 15-30% of the brain’s blood supply and form the vertebrobasilar basin.

Dysfunction in the upper cervical spine and temporomandibular joint blockage can cause constant abnormal pressure from spasming muscles and misaligned vertebrae on the vessels supplying blood to the brain. This pressure affects both pairs of arteries: the vertebral artery, which passes through the transverse foramen of the first vertebra, the Atlas (C1), and the internal carotid artery, which runs just in front of the Atlas after exiting the base of the skull.

As mentioned earlier, the arteries of the head and neck are responsible for supplying the brain with oxygen.

If the brain’s blood supply is compromised due to joint dysfunction in the head or displacement of the first cervical vertebra, the Atlas (C1), the delivery of oxygen and nutrients decreases, leading to hypoxia.

Moderate artery compression and hypoxia can cause symptoms such as drowsiness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, lack of motivation, decreased willpower, and various types of visual disturbances.

When nerve fibers are also compressed, the situation can escalate to headaches or migraines. If the spinal canal is involved, dizziness, spatial disorientation, derealization, and even epileptic seizures may occur.

Simultaneous compression of nerve fibers, combined with brain vessel compression, can provoke significant fluctuations in blood supply.

In this case, the patient may experience temporary blood pressure changes as well as systemic disturbances (e.g., hypertension), dizziness, changes in heart rhythm, and even sudden vasovagal syncope.

When the branches of the autonomic nervous system are irritated, which usually happens due to a combination of joint dysfunction in the head and various external factors, the increase in nerve impulses creates conditions for vascular spasms.

Many of these symptoms are considered "incurable diseases" by traditional medicine. However, according to Body Balance Clinic, they are only considered "incurable" when treatment is limited to medication.

The impact of head joints dysfunction on the veins of the head and neck

Blood drainage from the head and neck is facilitated by the jugular veins, which run along the left and right sides of the cervical region. There are three pairs of jugular veins:

1. Internal jugular vein: The largest and the primary vessel responsible for draining blood from the cranial cavity.

2. External jugular vein: This vein is smaller in diameter and collects blood from the superficial structures of the head, face, and neck.

3. Vertebral vein: Drains blood from the upper part of the spinal cord, brainstem, cerebellum, and the posterior part of the brain.

The significance of the jugular veins is immense, as they facilitate the outflow of 0.6 to 1.2 liters of blood per minute from the skull.

The body is designed in such a way that blood should flow freely into the head and just as freely, without obstruction, flow out of it.

Misalignment of the cervical vertebrae, specifically the Atlas (C1) and Axis (C2), and excessive pressure exerted by deep muscles pulling the vertebrae toward the skull beyond normal levels can cause persistent compression of the jugular veins. This results in an accumulation of excess blood in the vessels of the head.

When combined with arterial compression, this leads to blood stasis due to an overall slowdown in the circulatory rhythm within the cranial space (angiodystonia, hypoperfusion).

In medicine, the impairment of venous outflow is referred to as chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI). Here are its consequences:

Increased load on the blood vessel walls in the head;

Elevated intracranial pressure;

Difficulty in the removal of carbon dioxide;

Difficulty in eliminating metabolic waste products (brain metabolites).

Reduced elimination of metabolic waste primarily leads to toxemia and provokes age-related neurodegenerative diseases (nerve cell death and degeneration, sclerosis, dementia, multiple system atrophy, encephalopathy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease).

Head joints dysfunction and its impact on gas balance and brain thermoregulation

An increase in carbon dioxide levels due to problems with venous outflow has a significant impact on the patient, as it leads to immediate consequences.

Even a slight increase in CO2 levels results in a rise in intracranial temperature, which, combined with an imbalance in gas exchange, leads to symptoms such as physical weakness, mental fatigue, forgetfulness, dull headache, reduced concentration, a feeling of heaviness in the eyes and head. Excess carbon dioxide stimulates the respiratory center, causing a sensation of mild suffocation: the frequency and depth of breathing increase, the bronchi narrow, and shortness of breath occurs.

In chronic venous insufficiency, the brain suffers systemically: perception, cognitive function, analytical abilities, quick thinking, and attention distribution are impaired.

It is often believed that these are manifestations of oxygen deficiency. In reality, they occur due to disrupted brain thermoregulation and elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the brain's blood vessels.

The brain’s blood vessels constrict or dilate in response to changes in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide. Chronic respiratory alkalosis causes the cerebral vessels to constrict, leading to reduced cerebral blood flow, cerebral blood volume, and consequently, intracranial pressure with increased stress on the vessel walls.

With venous blood stasis in the head, the thin veins in the nose may swell and become engorged. When blowing the nose, the vessels may rupture, resulting in nosebleeds. These nosebleeds can occur during physical exertion or muscle or mental stress.

Nosebleeds are a consequence of excessive intracranial pressure, leading to the rupture of small blood vessels.

What does the infringement of the jugular veins look like?

In this MRI scan of the cervical region taken at the level of the first cervical vertebra, the Atlas (C1), the two internal jugular veins are highlighted in blue.

Compression of the left vein is visible from the observer's perspective.

It is worth noting that approximately 70% of blood drains through the internal jugular veins. Such compression increases intracranial pressure with all its ensuing consequences. This scenario is often observed in patients with cerebral blood supply pathologies.

Doctors at Body Balance Clinic specialize in analyzing MRI scans for abnormalities. If you wish to conduct a thorough examination of your temporomandibular joints, schedule an appointment at the clinic. If you have an MRI of the upper cervical vertebrae, bring the compact disc with you. Although MRI clearly shows vascular compression, only 3D-CT allows for precise detection of cervical vertebrae displacements.

Do you truly believe that medications can eliminate the cause of your problems if they have a biomechanical origin?

Vascular spots in the occipital region

One of the most reliable markers of temporomandibular joint dysfunction is the presence of vascular spots located in the suboccipital area. This pathology is widespread (occurring in every second person) and is known in medical practice as Efimov's Symptom No. 1.

These spots are silent witnesses to birth trauma and cerebrospinal injuries of the craniovertebral junction.

The mechanism of formation of these spots is simple: during difficult childbirth, the obstetrician grips the fetus by the head to extract it from the uterine cavity, creating a "retrofetal" vacuum behind the fetus (in the uterine cavity). The stronger the obstetrician pulls, the more the vacuum pulls the child's body back (similar to the effect of a medical suction cup). Between the body and the head lies the weak, undeveloped neck of the fetus, which bears all the objective and subjective biomechanical forces.

In such a situation, birth trauma to the bony or soft tissues of the fetal cervical spine is inevitable. This leads to deep hemorrhages, often reaching the skin of the occiput and neck. The traumatic hemorrhage may disappear over time or may persist, leading to consequences and complications known as Efimov's Symptom No. 1.

Postural distortions lead to impaired microcirculation throughout the body

An imbalance in the upper cervical vertebrae and joints, which may seem to affect only the neck and head, can indirectly cause dysfunctions throughout the entire body:

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction or displacement of the upper cervical vertebrae leads to a shift in the center of gravity of the head.

Deviation of the head's center of gravity from the spinal axis provokes significant and constant postural distortions.

Postural distortions result in considerable increases in muscle tension across a large part of the musculoskeletal system.

In chronically contracted muscle tissue, blood flow decreases, leading to reduced oxygen and nutrient supply.

Reduced removal of metabolic waste can lead to acidosis, causing stiffness and pain in the affected muscles.

The overall risk of injury increases, especially during physical exercise. Ligaments and tendons may become less elastic and, consequently, more fragile due to decreased blood circulation and increased stress.

When the body's center of gravity shifts, one side of the skeleton typically bears more load than the other.

In rare cases, muscle tension becomes so uneven that the difference in blood filling becomes noticeable to the naked eye.

At the core of these circulatory system problems, which affect many people, lies a shift in the center of gravity of the musculoskeletal system caused by temporomandibular joint dysfunction—a condition that cannot be corrected with medication alone.

Blood pressure fluctuations

Among the numerous negative consequences caused by temporomandibular joint dysfunction, changes in blood pressure play a significant role. It is essential to remember that several factors can influence blood pressure, and the displacement of the upper cervical vertebrae is one of them.

High blood pressure (hypertension)

High blood pressure is defined as readings above 140/90 mmHg.
The improper positioning of the Atlas (C1) vertebra and its excessive pull towards the skull by deep muscles can lead to compressive narrowing of blood vessels and dysfunction of the vagus nerve. In this case, blood supply to the brain and oxygenation occur through the forced elevation of blood pressure by the regulatory system.

Thus, by generally increasing blood flow, the brain manages to obtain the necessary nutrients. Obviously, this does not fully solve the problem, but the body "balances" and partially compensates for the existing deficiencies.

Another primary cause of such high blood pressure values may be self-poisoning of the body due to impaired detoxification by the liver and gallbladder dysfunction.

Restoring cervical function at Body Balance Clinic can help patients with high blood pressure in about 50% of cases. In other cases, stabilizing hypertension becomes possible only after restoring the liver's detoxification capacity by following a specific anti-inflammatory protocol.

Low blood pressure (hypotension)

Low blood pressure is defined as readings below 110/60 mmHg.
The medical community still does not know the true causes of hypotension. Even the most precise modern diagnostics and research do not provide an answer to this question. Cardiologists explain that low blood pressure protects the blood vessels and heart.
People suffering from this condition may experience a lack of energy, weakness, and a pronounced need for sleep. While it is not definitively known, some believe that the development of hypotension may involve either a disruption in cerebrospinal fluid dynamics or dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, specifically the vagus nerve.

It is also possible that temporomandibular joint dysfunction leads to nervous system dysfunction or poor hormonal control, thus reducing vascular resistance, which can lead to hypotension.

However, in about a quarter of cases, patients report that their low blood pressure normalizes after treatment at Body Balance Clinic.

Head joints dysfunction as a factor in eyes health problems

The eyes are the only place on the human body where blood vessels can be seen on the surface.

The majority of blood flow to the eyeball is supplied by the main branch of the internal carotid artery, known as the ophthalmic artery. Blood drainage is ultimately carried out through the same jugular veins.

Since the head’s circulatory system is somewhat closed (especially in patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction), the condition of the eye’s blood vessels can be an early indicator of head and neck vascular health, hypertension, and even diabetes, often before a therapist diagnoses these conditions.

Retinal angiopathy is a common change in the retinal vessels caused by impaired nerve regulation and difficulty in blood flow within the vessels. Angiopathy is not an independent disease; its symptoms result from general vascular system damage and blood stagnation due to cervical osteochondrosis.

This condition disrupts the normal function and nutrition of the eyes, leading to the development or progression of myopia and dystrophic processes in the retina:

Narrowing of retinal arteries (impeding blood supply);

Dilation of retinal veins (hindering blood outflow);

Excessive tortuosity of blood vessels;

Eye pain, discomfort, and pulsation during prolonged strain;

Increased tortuosity and variation in vessel sizes;

Narrowing or alteration of visual fields;

Possible light sensitivity disorders;

Blurred vision and loss of sharpness;

Progression of myopia or astigmatism.

As the condition develops, the shape of the vessels may deviate from the norm: they may become dilated, constricted, engorged, and twisted (as shown in the image above).

Medications to lower blood pressure or eye drops will not help if the problem lies in localized intracranial pressure.

Thus, treating angiopathy is more reasonably started not with medication but by addressing temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

Of course, there are many causes of angiopathy, but if we categorize them, two primary causes of these disorders can be identified:

1. Head joints dysfunction / cervical osteochondrosis, cranial injuries, including birth trauma (commonly referred to as congenital disorders).

2. Systemic toxemia due to dysfunction of the gastrointestinal organs, primarily the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas (if we summarize all causes).

Body Balance Clinic can help you address the most fundamental causes of your health issues. Schedule an appointment to improve your life today.