Migraine headaches affect approximately 15% of the population in the United States. This debilitating headache produces severe pain (usually on only one side of the head) and is often accompanied by nausea and intolerance to light.  Migraines are more common among women and, contrary to popular knowledge, migraines aren’t just an “adult disease” – kids get migraines too. 

Much about the causes of headaches in general is still unknown.  Even less is known about the cause of migraine headaches. They may occur as the result of an overly sensitive central nervous system, past spinal trauma, hormonal irregularities, eating certain foods, stress, medication side effects, environmental changes, changes in sleep cycles, neck movements, and even the use of a low pillow.  

While science is yet to fully understand the exact cause of migraine headaches, current findings demonstrate both vascular and neurological mechanisms. Evidence suggests that during a migraine, dilated blood vessels are sending nerve signals to the brainstem and sensory cortex causing central sensitization, causing patients to feel pain. 

If you are currently living with migraine headaches, you know the classic symptoms of intense pain, extreme sensitivity to light or sound, nausea, and vomiting. Some migraine sufferers also experience visual disturbances or auras, numbness, tingling, clumsiness, or difficulty communicating.

Typical treatments consist of both over-the-counter and prescription drugs. However, if you have seen the drug ads on TV or read the Physician’s Desk Reference, you know that all of the common migraine drugs are potentially dangerous and can cause serious side effects. 

Migraines, tension, cluster, and sinus headaches may be caused by pressure on the brainstem from misaligned cervical vertebrae. Chiropractic adjustment of the upper cervical area can help “unlock” the misaligned vertebral spinal bones, relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, remove tension from the head and neck muscles and restore balance to the body, relieving individuals from their headaches.  

Car accidents, sports, or on-the-job injuries, physical or emotional stress, falls, or even birth trauma can cause upper cervical misalignments. When the brain stem, located at the base of the brain and the upper cervical (neck) area is compressed or pinched it increases the swelling of blood vessels surrounding the brain. This creates a chain reaction resulting in migraine headaches. 

The goal of upper cervical chiropractic treatment is to correct spinal misalignments and to restore normal function to the brain stem or nervous system, which can reduce or eliminate headaches and migraine headaches.