Migraines & Headaches - Horizon Chiropractic Center
A migraine is not a disease. It is a syndrome or collection of symptoms. 36 million Americans suffer from migraines.
- 14 million Americans experience migraines on a DAILY basis.
- 1 in 4 households includes someone with Migraines.
- Migraines rank in the Top 20 of the World’s Most Disabling Medical Illnesses.
- And 10% of school-age children suffer from Migraines.
The Migraine Research Foundation describes a migraine as “an extremely debilitating collection of neurological symptoms that usually includes a severe recurring intense throbbing pain on one side of the head (although in 1/3 of migraine attacks, both sides are affected).
Attacks last between 4 and 72 hours and are often accompanied by one or more of the following:
- Visual disturbances
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Extreme sensitivity to sound, light, touch, and smell
- Tingling or numbness in the extremities or face
Many people who have some form of illness or chronic pain that has plagued them for years have had numerous doctors’ visits and promises, often without long-term results. The realization of this experience has led many people to our office.
The process of getting well requires a doctor that is willing to get to the cause of the illness and/or pain and not just mask the problem with medication. A doctor that understands how to reverse years of degeneration. And lastly, a doctor that can create a success plan incorporating ALL of the fundamental facets of health care, not just one.
True healing occurs when you get your body back to the place it once was (or even better) before you acquired the troubles you have today. Yes, that is possible, but it takes hard work and consistency.
Our focus at Horizon Chiropractic Center is to re-empower the nervous system so that you can heal properly. It is truly a “miracle” system when operating at its fullest potential.
But it is not enough to create full health on its own. Health requires adopting a proactive healthcare model, doing what it takes to get healthy and stay healthy, not just treating symptoms. This includes a nervous system free of interference, good nutrition, regular exercise, and plenty of rest. It is a success system that heals the only effective way – from the inside out.
While most people consider migraines to be solely the result of changes in blood-flow between the head and neck, modern imaging has shown that circulation is only part of the problem.
Changes in the nerves in and around the head and neck are also essential in understanding migraines. In addition, research is showing that those suffering from migraines and related chronic conditions frequently have a history of head or neck trauma with brain stem involvement.
These traumas can lead to a structural misalignment of the bones in the upper neck, which may lead to changes in blood, cerebral spinal fluid, and nerve flow to and from the brain.
In our office, we take extremely precise x-rays of the head and neck to determine the severity of the type of spinal misalignment that may be occurring around the brainstem. We do not rely on guesswork or just the touch of our hands. Instead, we analyze the x-rays systematically to determine a specific upper cervical correction formula that will work to bring your spine back into alignment.
After the initial evaluation, we’re able to estimate the number of corrections needed and the length of time necessary for the spine to be stabilized. It’s not about being adjusted thousands of times. It’s about getting the spine back into a normal and balanced position and keeping it that way for as long as possible.
When someone suffers from migraines, the brain stem is frequently involved. Upper neck misalignments alter brain stem function and can lead to problems such as migraines and headaches.
When these old injuries are dealt with by correcting the head position by a precise upper cervical corrective procedure, the healing process can begin. And who doesn’t want that?!
