The Denville Chiropractor to see - Chiropractor Denville

Barking Dog Syndrome

Headaches and neck pain image.

Many new practice members 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.

Search:

Dr. Ager Asks some important questions of interest to Denville residents - Chiropractor Denville Dr. Ager Asks...

How do you "catch" a cold?
Simply lower your resistance by avoiding the proper rest and exercise, eating lots of sugar and junk food, putting up with emotional stress and neglecting your nervous system by avoiding your chiropractor. You won't have to catch a cold because it will catch you!
What is the purpose of pain?
Pain prompts many Denville folks to begin chiropractic care. But pain isn't the problem! Pain is just how your body alerts you that a limit has been reached (or exceeded), that something isn't working right and that some type of change is needed. As a chiropractor, my job is finding the underlying cause and recommending the changes needed to bring your body back into balance.