Anyone who suffers from migraine headaches can easily describe just how disruptive and debilitating they can be. Migraines often interfere with daily life and tend to appear at the worst possible times. In the United States alone, an estimated 35 million people experience migraines, and about 27 million of them are women.
What exactly happens during a migraine? In many cases, migraines begin with an aura—a warning sign that may include visual disturbances or unusual sensations—followed by a pounding or throbbing pain, often felt in the upper part of the head. Migraine sufferers may also experience tinnitus (ringing in the ears), vision changes, nausea, and vomiting.
For many medical doctors, migraines remain difficult to treat. Each person’s experience with migraines can be very different, yet treatments are often generalized. Common recommendations include strong prescription medications and avoiding potential trigger foods such as wine, chocolate, certain food additives, and caffeine.
In recent years, some doctors have begun to focus more on treating the whole person rather than simply managing migraine symptoms. One reason for this shift is that certain medications used to treat migraines can sometimes lead to more frequent or more intense headaches over time. Because of this, both patients and doctors are increasingly interested in natural approaches to migraine relief.
One area of care that has shown promising results is upper cervical chiropractic care. Many individuals who experience migraines are found to have a misalignment of the atlas bone (the C1 vertebra) at the top of the neck. Addressing this underlying issue has been associated with a reduction in migraine headaches for some patients.
Research has indicated that after just one or two upper cervical adjustments, some patients have experienced significant improvement, and in certain cases, complete resolution of their headaches.
When the atlas vertebra becomes misaligned, it can place stress on the brainstem, which is housed within the spinal column. Because the brainstem plays an important role in regulating neurological and vascular functions, irritation in this area may contribute to migraine symptoms.
Upper cervical care focuses on gently restoring proper alignment to the atlas based on the specific needs of each individual patient. When alignment is improved, many people experience a reduction in the frequency and severity of their migraines, and some may even see their migraines disappear altogether.
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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/