Research Suggests Upper Neck is to Blame for Migraine Headaches
Do you feel like you would do almost anything to be pain-free from migraine headaches for just a little while?
Chronic migraine headache pain often takes total control over your life. This pain can feel overwhelming, unstoppable, relentless and can leave you feeling depleted, scared, and with little hope.
A Migraine is NOT “Just Another Bad Headache”
Researchers have now identified physical differences between a bad headache and a migraine headache.
In a migraine headache, advanced studies show altered fluid and nerve flow to and from the brain. In particular, they are finding that blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are not flowing properly to the head.
There are multiple contributing factors to this problem, but many doctors are finding the upper neck to blame. A slight misalignment of the vertebrae at the top of the neck can irritate nerves and restrict fluid flow from escaping the head. Think of it like this; imagine stepping on a garden hose and then turning the water on. By compressing the hose, you significantly increase its pressure. Similarly, when a misaligned upper neck vertebra compresses a vessel to the brain, the fluid cannot drain properly. This leads to a buildup of pressure in the head, causing multiple symptoms. The most common symptom being migraine headaches.
For many people, an upper neck misalignment happens during an accident or injury including: car accidents, whiplash, sports injuries, or any injury involving the head or neck. However, many migraine sufferers do not recall neck injuries. This doesn’t mean a neck injury never occurred. Field doctors have recently found that one of the most common times we suffer neck injury is birth. If you were delivered via c-section, forceps or vacuum extraction, or if your neck was pulled on during the delivery, you most likely sustained an injury creating a misalignment of your upper neck.
In addition, many migraine headache sufferers do not make a connection to upper neck injury as misalignment of the upper neck has been shown to take 15 years or more to reveal noticeable symptoms.
Hope for Migraine Headaches Sufferers
The NUCCA organization has specially trained doctors to correct the misalignment of the upper cervical spine, including those that cause migraine headaches. The NUCCA method involves very precise measurements of the head and neck to identify the exact direction of upper neck misalignment. Using extremely gentle and precise corrections to the upper neck, NUCCA has been shown to effectively reduce migraine headache pain.
To find a NUCCA doctor near you, visit NUCCA.org. Or to speak with one of our NUCCA Chiropractors in Eatontown, New Jersey, click the button below to schedule your complimentary migraine consultation. While scheduling your consultation, you will have the opportunity to speak with one of our doctors about your particular symptoms.
Molland Spinal Care doctors are Eatontown Upper Cervical Chiropractors trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). Our NUCCA Clinic has helped many people find natural relief from migraine headaches in Eatontown, New Jersey. As NUCCA Chiropractors we are 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 problems. More information can be found on our website at https://www.mollandspinalcare.com
Resources and Useful Links
- Migraine.com
- Mayo Clinic
- NUCCA Research on Migraine Headaches
- H. Charles Woodfield III, D. Gordon Hasick, Werner J. Becker, Marianne S. Rose, and James N. Scott . Effect of Atlas Vertebrae Realignment in Subjects with Migraine: An Observational Pilot Study. BioMed Research International Volume 2015, Article ID 630472, 18 pages
- NUCCA Chiropractor Dr. Marshall Dickholtz Research on Migraine Headaches
- Dickholtz, M. Summary of Headache Research Study. Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research.
- NUCCA Association
- Journal of Migraines Headaches
- Improved Quality of Life for Migraine Sufferers. http://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2015/630472/
View Comments (4)
Hello
I’am a migraine sufferer, but after an accident they got worse. I ‘ve had many treatments including neck surgery and nothing works. I would like to have a complimentary consultation with one of you NUCCA chiropractors to see if I can get relief. I am desperate and I would like to get alternative treatment before I can make a decision to go under second surgery. Please I would prefer e-mail as contact method.
Please help
Clara,
We can empathize with how migraines have affected your life as we see and help many people who have also previously struggled to find any relief. We have sent you an email with more information.
We look forward to speaking with you more about how Upper Cervical Care can help.
Dr. Zach & Dr. Liz
I have been suffering for my entire life with migraines and a few years of vertigo which is awful! All neurologists say nothing is wrong with me do an MRI of my head and its clean so they say im okay. I know i am not okay. I have had a few concussions one severe when I was younger which i do think really messed up my neck. If you could help i would be forever grateful! Having headaches 4 times a week or more is just making my life no fun.
Hi Katelyn,
What you are describing is something we see every week with migraine sufferers. Many have a history of a head or neck injury, but MRI and other imaging show no problems. We strongly feel you would benefit from a complimentary consultation where we could hear more about your symptoms and help you better understand what is going on within your body and spine. We will send you another email with more info.
We are privileged to have the opportunity to speak with you more and to discuss how Upper Cervical Care can help.
Dr. Zach & Dr. Liz