What is a Migraine?
A migraine is a neurological disorder that is characterized by severe throbbing and pulsing pain in the head. While outwardly similar to an everyday headache, migraines are significantly more severe, often resulting in debilitating secondary symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and fatigue.
The exact causes and triggers of migraines are unknown; however, it is believed that a combination of factors — such as stress, brain chemistry, genetics, certain foods, and lack of sleep — may be responsible.
Signs and of Symptoms of Migraines
Given that migraines can be triggered by so many different things, the signs, symptoms, and severity of a migraine will differ on an individual basis. Typical symptoms include light sensitivity, nausea and vomiting, throbbing pain in one side or area of the head (often behind the eyes), and sensitivity to sound.
Some people also experience a sensory disturbance known as an aura. This involves seeing flashing lights, losing vision in one or both eyes, and experiencing tingling in the hands or face.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Migraines
While over-the-counter medication can help to ease the symptoms of migraines, this approach does not treat the underlying cause. The Blair Chiropractic Clinic focuses on the upper cervical spine to address the root cause of your migraines.
The upper cervical spine is a set of stacked vertebrae that connect the base of the skull to the rest of the spinal column. This segment of the spine plays a key role in supporting and protecting the brainstem, the connecting link between the brain and the spinal cord. Due to this positioning, a misalignment in the vertebrae of the upper cervical spine can trigger a cascade of neurological events, resulting in symptoms like headaches, neck pain, and tingling in the hands and arms.
Left untreated, misalignment-induced pressure on the brainstem can disrupt the flow of nerves between the spinal cord and brain, leading to abnormal brain activity, and ultimately, the onset of migraines.
How Our Upper Cervical Treatment for Migraines Works
Our migraine specialist, Dr. Gordon Elder, is an expert in an adjustment process known as the Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Technique. This technique prioritizes the health of the upper cervical spine, identifying and targeting spinal misalignments to restore healthy position and function to the spinal column and surrounding nerves.
When treating migraines, Dr. Elder employs a two-step approach to identifying and healing the condition. First, patients will undergo a 25–30-minute screening process to determine if a vertebral misalignment is causing nerve pressure. You’ll receive a brief report on the results of the screening process and have an opportunity to ask Dr. Elder any questions about your spinal health.
Next, Dr. Elder will use a series of gentle, low-force adjustment techniques to realign any misaligned vertebrae to their natural position, thereby allowing the body’s natural healing mechanisms to restore and maintain proper nerve flow. This process typically involves the use of advanced 3-D imaging diagnostic techniques to determine the exact location of any misalignments in the upper cervical spine.
Following the initial adjustment, patients will return for regular, gradually spaced-out check-ups to ensure their adjustment has stayed in place for 3 months. Over the course of 3-5 months, most patients average between 10 and 15 appointments with Dr. Elder.
If migraines are severely affecting your everyday life, get in touch today to speak with Dr. Elder about the health of your upper cervical spine. Located in Lubbock, Texas, Blair Chiropractic Clinic also services Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, El Paso in Texas, and Hobbs in New Mexico.
Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.