Spanish
Korean
A transient tic disorder is a condition that causes one or manyinvoluntary briefs, repeated, movements, or noises. These tics,movements or noises, can be either vocal or motor and interferewith daily activities and quality of life.
What Causes Transient TicDisorder?
While there is no known cause of transient tic disorder, therehas been a natural treatment that has helped tics go away.
There is some research that suggests transient tic disordercould have a relation with neurotransmitters, chemicals in thebrain that transmit nerve signals to your cells, and medicationsthat try to help transient tic disorder do alter the patient’sneurotransmitter levels.
It is also believed abnormalities in the brain could beresponsible for the tics as well. These same abnormalities areknown to cause other mental conditions including attention deficithyperactivity disorder and depression.
Symptoms of Transient TicDisorder
Transient tic disorder causes one to make involuntary sounds ormovements and may appear to get worse with stress. These sounds andmovements do not occur while sleeping. Tics involve thefollowing:
- Facial tics
- An overwhelming urge to make movement
- Involuntary movement of arms, legs, or otherareas
- Movements occur repeatedly without anyrhythm
- Brief, jerky movements such as blinking, kicking,raising eyebrows, sticking out the tongue, and clenching thefists
Related article
Searching for Upper Cervical Chiropractic in Charleston: What Patients Should Know
Feb 12, 2026Sounds associated with transient tic disorder include:
- Grunting
- Hissing
- Sniffing
- Snorting
- Squealing
- Throat clearing
- Moaning
- Clicking
When tics first begin to occur, it is important that the familydoes not call attention to the tics occurring. The reason behindthis is unwanted attention to the tics occurs, it may cause tics tobecome worse. If a person is experiencing severe tics thatinterfere with school or work, the most common treatment optionsare therapy and medications.
Treatments Available
Transient tic disorder treatments include therapy to help theirbehavioral habits by changing the way the person behaves when theyexperience the “tension” or “pressure” only relieved by thetic.
Therapy helps the patient identify stressors and recognize the“trigger” feeling preceding the tic in order to reduce the triggersand react in an alternate manner that can help reduce the tensionthey experience without resorting to the tic.
Diet changes may have a positive effect on transient ticdisorders; however, diet changes should not be relied on fortreatment. Diet changes may not make a large difference in howoften tics occur, but it may help the psychological stress or othersymptoms associated with the transient tic disorder.
Medication is another treatment option available for those withtransient tic disorder; although, it is not the first line oftreatment. Medication is only prescribed when tics interfere withfunctioning and if all other treatment options have had nosuccess.
While several medication options exist, they each begin at thelowest dose possible to reduce the risk of their side effects. Sideeffects associated with the medications prescribed could result inthe patient taking even more medication to help with the sideeffects.
Another treatment option that many are unaware of, is a safe andnatural treatment that focuses on brain stem health: Upper cervicaladjustments.
A Natural Treatment: How Does Upper CervicalHelp?
As stated earlier, the cause of transient tic disorder is notexactly known. However, professionals do believe it could be due toabnormalities in the brain, and some research as shown apossibility of it being linked to neurotransmitters.
Upper cervical adjustments are made to help ensure the patienthas no misalignment that is causing pressure on their brain stem.When pressure is placed on the brain stem, it can change how thebrain functions and mess with your body’s brain to body signals –causing it to react differently.
In a case study involving an 8-year-old boy with a tic disorder,they have suggested upper cervical adjustments could be responsiblefor reducing and eliminating his symptoms. (Michael W. Shreeve,2013) In upper cervical adjustments, very gentle, precise movementsare made to help adjust your upper cervical spine (located underthe base of your skull) to remove the pressure that is causinginterference that changes the way your body will normallyfunction.
An upper cervical alignment may occur from a fall, contactsports, car accident, heavy lifting, poor posture, or even thenatural aging process. Depending on the severity of themisalignment and how long your upper cervical spine has been out ofalignment, more adjustments may be needed.
No matter the case, the goal is always the same: to adjust thepatient’s upper cervical spine as little as possible until thatarea of the body heals and repairs itself enough to hold thecorrect position on its own.
Unlike general chiropractic, upper cervical adjustments do nothave great force or any sort of “cracking” involved.
These adjustments are safe for any age, take the pressure offthe brain stem, and allows your body’s functions and signals to berestored so the body may return to working as it should.
Many patients have noticed a difference in their bodies in aslittle as one adjustment! The reason behind this is as soon asinterference is removed, your brain to body signals begin to workproperly and the body begins to heal and repair any injured areasimmediately.
Removing this pressure helps the brain get the oxygen it needsand relaxes the nerves that might have been irritated by themisalignment.
With the possibility of transient tic disorders being linked tochemicals in the brain that transmit nerve signals to your cells,it is no wonder upper cervical can help as it helps restore yourbrain to body signals. In addition, many other conditions that arelinked to brain health such as depression and ADHD have benefitedfrom these adjustments.
Therefore, if there is a connection between transient ticdisorders and abnormalities in the brain, upper cervical can be avery beneficial treatment option.
References
Michael W. Shreeve, D. F. (2013). Resolution of Tic Disorderin an 8-Year Old Boy. Retrieved from http://grosticprocedure.com
Leave a comment