Some CCI+AAI patients experience head and facial pain, other than the characteristic occipital pain and headaches. Some of the diagnoses given for these include Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), Occipital neuralgia (ON) and Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD) Let's take a closer look: OCCIPITAL NEURALGIA (ON) Occipital neuralgia is irritation or compression of the occipital nerves — primarily the greater, lesser, or third occipital nerves — which emerge from the upper cervical s

If you’re exploring alternative (non-fusion) treatments for Craniocervical Instability (CCI) and Atlantoaxial instability (AAI) here’s what you should keep in mind. Important disclaimer : this is not  medical advice. You should talk to a specialist familiar with CCI+AAI, especially because the condition is complex and treatments vary a lot depending on your exact anatomy, ligament involvement, symptoms, comorbidities (e.g., connective tissue disorders), etc. What is CCI + AAI

People with craniocervical instability (CCI) or atlantoaxial instability (AAI) sometimes wear a cervical collar to limit head and neck movement when the ligaments that stabilize the upper spine are weak or injured. The collar helps by reducing strain on those ligaments, easing pressure on the brainstem and nerves, and often lessening symptoms like headache, dizziness, or neck pain. It can also be used diagnostically — if symptoms improve while wearing it, that suggests instab

Hi, This is my story of decades of pain. I live in a small town outside of Stockholm Sweden and I have been suffering with severe pains for more than a decade. I have CCI, whiplash and nerve damage.  I have spent years bouncing from doctor to doctor, I have been prescribed every medication you can imagine. Nothing worked I only got depressed and gained a lot of weight that added to my pain.  CCI is not recognized in Sweden and doctors didn’t seem to care,  I started looking a

“Conservative management” for craniocervical Instability (CCI) and atlantoaxial instability (AAI) refers to non-surgical approaches aimed at stabilizing the craniocervical junction (the area where the skull meets the upper cervical spine) and reducing symptoms such as neck pain, headaches, dizziness, brain fog, and autonomic dysfunction. This post will be a mix of professional recommendations and advice from lived experience. Activity Modification & Lifestyle No matter the di

Welcome to the blog section. Currently it's very empty but eventually it will - i hope - be filled with personal stories. Want to add yours? Send it to us here: Email: neurospineconnections@gmail.com Form: Anonymous?: Your name: Your diagnosis: Pictures you want included: #PatientStory