Could Neck Injuries Be the Hidden Cause of Your Migraines?
Many people suffer from migraines without ever realizing the root cause could be a misalignment in the upper cervical spine—specifically, the Atlas vertebra. In past discussions, we’ve explored how such misalignments can disrupt blood flow and cerebrospinal fluid circulation to the brain. Both of these are essential for optimal brain health, and disruptions in either can potentially trigger Migraines.
Let’s now take a closer look at how these misalignments might occur in the first place.
Neck Trauma: An Overlooked Trigger
While the exact cause of migraines remains elusive and may differ from person to person, one significant and often overlooked factor is trauma to the head or neck. This includes:
-
Car accidents
-
Sports injuries
-
Slips and falls
-
Any form of sudden impact to the upper spine
Even a minor collision—like a 5 MPH rear-end accident—can cause whiplash, overextending the neck muscles and potentially misaligning the Atlas vertebra. What’s more surprising is that the symptoms, including migraines, don’t always appear right away. It may take months or even years before chronic headaches develop as a result of that injury.
A Lifetime of Migraines—Could Birth Be the Cause?
If you’ve experienced migraines since childhood, you might wonder how that could relate to neck trauma. The answer could lie in your very first moments of life. Birth can be physically stressful—especially in cases involving:
-
Cesarean delivery
-
Use of forceps or vacuum extraction
-
Prolonged or difficult labor
These factors can place excessive strain on a newborn’s neck and upper spine, potentially causing subtle misalignments that go undetected for years.
Why Upper Cervical Care Matters
Whether the injury occurred recently or long ago—during a car accident, sports activity, or even childbirth—misalignment of the upper cervical spine can irritate the nervous system. In some people, this manifests as migraines. In others, it may lead to different chronic health issues—or none at all for years.
That’s why it’s essential to have your upper cervical spine evaluated by a specialist. Addressing the issue before it worsens could make a significant difference in your long-term health and quality of life.
To schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our patient results here.
Dr. Craig Lapenski at Advanced Spinal Care, in Graham, Washington is one of 27 Board Certified NUCCA Doctors worldwide. His clinic serves the highest quality upper cervical care in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Lapenski also serves a number of patients who are out of state including Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, New York, and more! He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines, headaches, fibromyalgia, vertigo, neck pain, back pain, and more. More information can be found on our website at https://www.nuccawashington.com/