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Migraines are a disabling condition that is all too common in today’s world. It is estimated that 46% of people worldwide have an active headache disorder, including migraines. These conditions are difficult to cope with and even more difficult to treat, frustrating patients and healthcare providers alike.
What Causes a Migraine Headache?
Unfortunately, there is no known cause. There is no purpose for the pain of a migraine as they are not protecting any part of the body from damage, which is usually the reason for pain. They are seen as a vascular problem by those in the field of medicine because of the throbbing feeling that accompanies them. Experts refer to migraines as a neurovascular problem due to the symptoms associated with them, namely nausea, head movement reactions, and sensitivity to noise and bright light.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and migraines, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
Here are some interesting facts about migraines:
- Migraine pain is connected to not having enough oxygen to the brain.
- If the C1 or C2 vertebrae become misaligned, this can hinder oxygen, blood flow, and neurology in the brain, having a negative effect.
- If the upper neck area is unstable due to a misalignment, the brainstem can be susceptible to damage, which leads to migraines.
Is There Any Help Available?
Most medical doctors will recommend anything from avoiding triggers (certain foods or activities) to prescribing medication to alleviate symptoms after a migraine occurs. However, upper cervical chiropractors see the benefit in looking at the underlying cause of migraines and working to correct this. We have seen a number of patients that have found relief from migraines by seeking our care.
We give our patients a thorough examination of the neck, accompanied by precise x-rays to help us determine whether the patient has a misalignment of the C1 or C2 vertebrae. An adjustment is only given if a misalignment is found and it is deemed necessary.
Once corrected, healing can begin, and the brain can start to function normally once again. Migraines may resolve naturally at this point. A success rate of 85% has been seen in clinical studies.
References:
- Stovner LJ, Hagen K, Jensen R, Katsarva Z, Lipton R, Scher A, Steiner T, Zwart JA. The global burden of headache: a documentation of headache prevalence and disability worldwide. Cephalgia 2007;27(3):193-210.
- Lance JW, Goadsby PJ. Mechanism and Management of Headache. London, England: Butterworth-Heinemann;1998.
- Hope through Research. ww.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/pubs/headche. Bethesda, Maryland: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Health, July 2001.
- Ebersberger A. Pathophysiology of migraine: models to explain the generation of migraine headache. Anaesthesist 2002 Aug; 51 (8): 661-7.
- Hamel E. Current concepts of migraine pathophysiology. Can J Clin Pharmacol 1999 Autumn; 6 Suppl A; 9A-14A.
- Elster EL. Upper cervical chiropractic care for a patient with chronic migraine headaches with an appendix summarizing an additional 100 headache cases. J Vert Sublux Res 2003; AUG (3):1-10
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