Mark Vande Hei, a flight engineer for several ISS explorations, recently made the news after his scheduled spacewalk with another colleague got delayed for a medical condition. It turns out they had to move the task to a later date because of a pinched nerve, a widespread problem that affects millions worldwide.
But what exactly is it? Why did Mark have to delay his 6.5-hour spacewalk because of a seemingly minor problem? Can a pinched nerve in the neck cause dizziness? How can it affect the body? Read our discussion below to learn more about pinched nerves and how they can impact your work.
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Working as an astronaut is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and surreal jobs in the world. It must be astounding to be in outer space and carry out a special mission like installing new structure upgrades on the International Space Station (ISS). However, it might also be a stressful job, knowing that every task costs a lot of money and other resources.
This might be the same feeling that Mark Vande Hei had after realizing he couldn’t push through with the scheduled spacewalk with a fellow astronaut, Akihiko Hoshide. Supposedly, the duo had to carry out their work on August 24th, but they had to reschedule a week later.
According to reports, the postponed spacewalk has something to do with a pinched nerve in the neck, a common health problem in the USA. Studies explain that while it might seem like a simple problem, it can lead to radiculopathy that can cause arm weakness or numbness. Sometimes, it can also lead to additional problems.
One of the other effects of a pinched nerve in the neck is central vertigo. Thousands of people get diagnosed with this condition which triggers various symptoms ranging from:
While these symptoms might not require a visit to the nearest emergency room, they can definitely increase one’s risk for accidents and injuries. That’s why it’s not surprising why Mark and his team decided to reschedule their spacewalk routine.
Thankfully, their mission isn’t that time-sensitive, so they can afford to take precautionary measures. However, imagine what would happen if you get stuck in the same situation but don’t have the opportunity to reschedule your work.
Naturally, it can lead to delays in your project, a call from an angry client, or worse, a note from your boss. It can also cause recurring problems, which can impact your productivity levels and your mental health. You might also end up putting yourself in danger, especially when your job involves doing hazardous tasks such as checking power lines, using high-powered milling machines, and washing windows of skyscrapers.
Unknown to many, the neck performs two essential functions – protecting the brainstem and supporting the cranial nerves. That’s why it’s critical to ensure that the bones follow a neutral alignment. Otherwise, they can add mechanical stress on your nervous system tissues and trigger debilitating symptoms such as dizziness and muscle numbness.
Several studies associate pinched nerve in the neck with previous neck trauma or injury. That’s because when the neck overextends, the bones will most likely shift from their original place. This causes your neck structure to become unbalanced and puts your nerves and brainstem at risk of pinching or getting irritated.
Unfortunately, most people don’t know they have a pinched nerve until they start seeing key indicators such as central vertigo attacks, dizziness, nausea, and arm or finger numbness. This makes it hard for patients to experience relief and go back to carry out their usual work tasks. It’s also the exact reason why using remedies like taking medications (antihistamines and benzodiazepines) and trying rehabilitation exercises can sometimes provide very minimal improvements.
Until you resolve the root cause of your pinched nerve problem, the symptoms will most likely keep coming back. Unfortunately, it can also lead to lasting nerve damage, resulting in worse symptoms such as chronic pain and loss of muscle control.
So, can a pinched nerve in the neck cause dizziness? Yes, of course! If you suspect having a pinched nerve because of previous injuries in your head or neck, we recommend scheduling a visit to the nearest upper cervical chiropractic clinic. Chances are, you can get rid of your pinched nerve problem and its accompanying symptoms by receiving neck bone adjustments.
Many patients have found healing and recovery with the help of an upper cervical doctor. So, if you didn’t have any luck resolving your symptoms with other pinched nerve remedies, you might find it helpful to try getting your spinal alignment checked and fixed by an upper cervical care doctor.
Upper cervical chiropractic is a promising approach to healing a pinched nerve in the neck. It involves assessing misalignment in the uppermost part of your neck and providing gentle adjustments to fix the problem. Sometimes, it takes a few weeks or months, depending on the severity of the misalignment.
Thousands of patients seek this relief method to experience long-term resolution of their symptoms and avoid mishaps such as the postponed spacewalk incident this month.
Do you have additional questions besides “can a pinched nerve in the neck cause dizziness?”. If yes, we recommend talking to an upper cervical chiropractor in your area to learn more about pinched nerves and central vertigo.
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The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
