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