The number of people in America that suffer other types of  headaches is surprising alone.  It is estimated that approximately 45 million people live with chronic headaches, and of those 45 million, 28 million suffer from migraines.

More Migraine Facts

There are other facts about migraine that may also be surprising to learn about.

• Migraine sufferers may have an increased risk for suicide or suicide attempts. People with classic migraines, which carry associated symptoms of aura, light sensitivity, and nausea to name a few, may carry an even higher risk than those who suffer from common migraines.¹
• Medication use could actually be making worse, resulting in a condition called “medication-overuse headaches”²
• Migraines can be connected to other serious health issues. When compared with the general population, a higher risk of stroke and other cardiovascular-related conditions.¹

Migraines are not only painful and difficult to tolerate, they also contribute to loss of quality of life, productivity, and ability to function normally day to day.  Fortunately, there are natural alternatives to approaching treatment.

Upper Cervical Chiropractic Eases Migraines

Dr. Crowder, an upper cervical chiropractor, specializes in detecting the underlying cause of many people’s migraines and other types of headaches.  Upper cervical chiropractors take a specific approach to addressing misalignments in the upper neck, at the level of the C1 and C2 vertebrae.  This area is neurologically rich, and the upper two bones in the neck have the important job of protecting the brain stem.

If a misalignment of either one of these bones is located, a specific adjustment designed for that particular individual has the ability to restore normal function to the nervous system.  This has been an effective way for many to start seeing quick and permanent relief from their symptoms.  By correcting the problem at the root cause, migraine patients are able to get back to living life at a higher standard of quality.

REFERENCES:

1. Time Inc. Network. 7 surprising things you don't know about migraines. [homepage on the Internet]. 2013 [cited 2015 Apr 3]. Available from: http://news.health.com/2013/06/27/surprising-about-migraines/
2. Eross EJ. Chronic migraine and medication-overuse headache. Neurology [serial on the Internet]. 2006(66) Available from: http://www.neurology.org/content/66/12/E43.full.pdf+html

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Crowder, call our McKinney office at 972-449-5845. You can also click the button below.

If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), or the sudden feeling that either you are spinning or the world around you is spinning, is one of the most common causes of vertigo.  These episodes can range anywhere from brief, mild episodes, to extreme dizziness.

Signs and Symptoms of BPPV

A person suffering with BPPV may experience the following signs and symptoms¹:

• The sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving
• Unsteadiness
• Lightheadedness
• Loss of balance
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Blurred vision

The triggers of an episode of BPPV can, of course, vary from person to person.  However, they are almost always connected to a change of position of the head.  The vestibular system, which aids in balance and spatial orientation, is comprised of parts of the inner ear and fluid-filled canals.  When dysfunction is present in the vestibular system, incorrect information is sent along to the brain regarding movement and body position.  The end result of this miscommunication is the sensation of vertigo.²

There seems to be a 50/50 chance that most medical doctors are able find a specific cause of BPPV.  When a cause is able to be determined, it is typically associated with a head injury – either minor or severe.³  Unlike most medical doctors, upper cervical chiropractors have long been working to correct the underlying cause of BPPV and other conditions that present with dizziness and vertigo.

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.

How to Find Relief of Vertigo in McKinney TX

In McKinney, Texas, vertigo expert Dr. Terry Crowder uses a highly specialized method of analysis to reveal misalignments in the upper cervical spine.  The uppermost two bones in the neck have the important job of protecting the brainstem itself, which plays a significant role in the body’s ability to sense its position in space.

In many cases, a misalignment, or what chiropractors refer to as a subluxation, in the upper cervical area is found to be the underlying cause of BPPV.  In a 2006 study of 60 patients who suffered from vertigo, 100% of them either reported being either improved or completely symptom-free following upper cervical chiropractic care.  In this study, after only one month of care, 37-year vertigo sufferer was completely symptom free!⁴ The only way to know if an upper cervical subluxation is the cause of your BPPV or other vertigo condition is to have an analysis done by an upper cervical chiropractor.  That way, the cause can be corrected and you can get back to living a vertigo-free life.

REFERENCES:

1. Mayo Clinic. Dizziness symptoms - Mayo Clinic. [homepage on the Internet]. 2012 [cited 2015 May 1]. Available from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dizziness/basics/symptoms/con-20023004
2. Vestibular Disorders Association. Causes of dizziness | Vestibular Disorders Association. [homepage on the Internet]. 2015 [cited 2015 May 1]. Available from: http://vestibular.org/node/2
3. Mayo Clinic. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) causes - Mayo Clinic. [homepage on the Internet]. 2012 [cited 2015 May 1]. Available from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vertigo/basics/causes/con-20028216
4. Elster E, Sixty patients with chronic vertigo undergoing upper cervical chiropractic care to correct vertebral subluxation: A retrospective analysis. J Vert Sublux Res 2006; Nov:1-9.

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Crowder, call our McKinney office at 972-449-5845. You can also click the button below.

If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.

Migraines in McKinney TX

Anyone that lives with chronic headaches knows how difficult it can be to go through day to day living, not knowing when the next episode will occur.  An estimated 46% of adults worldwide have an active migraine or headache disorder.  Since the exact mechanism that causes migraines to occur is still unclear, most health care providers may not be able to properly diagnose migraines and provide an effective treatment plan.

Determining the Cause of Migraines

Despite the fact that the precise cause of migraines has not yet been determined, there are several things that are known to be contributory factors.

• The neurological function of the brainstem (protected by the C1 and C2 vertebrae) is intimately connected to the pain caused by migraines and other headache types.^1-2
• An inadequate supply of oxygen to the brain is linked to migraines and other headache types.³
• The brainstem is particularly susceptible to injury and/or dysfunction due to the inherent instability of the upper cervical spine. The C1 and C2 vertebrae are shaped unlike any other vertebrae in the spinal column.  While their shape lends themselves to allowing a greater range of head motion, that comes at the price of greater instability.
• If the C1 and/or C2 vertebrae are not in proper alignment, referred to as subluxation, the potential exists for interference to normal neurological function and blood flow.

What Options Are Available to Find Migraine Relief?

There are a variety of treatment options that provide people with varying degrees of relief.  The trouble with relieving migraines with natural herbs, over-the-counter or pharmaceutical medications is that while they may bring the sufferer some relief from their symptoms, the cause of the migraines remains unaltered.

Upper cervical chiropractors like Dr. Crowder, specialize in locating the underlying cause of migraines and other types of headaches.  Using very specific methods of analysis, migraine expert Dr. Crowder is able to determine the exact nature of the misalignment of the C1/C2 vertebrae and make the necessary adjustment.  This adjustment is what allows proper alignment, and thus proper function to be restored.  Once the correction is made, the healing process is allowed to begin.  Research published in the chiropractic literature documents quick and effective results in as little as a few visits to an upper cervical chiropractor.⁴

References:

1. 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.
2. Hamel E. Current concepts of migraine pathophysiology. Can J Clin Pharmacol 1999 Autumn; 6 Suppl A; 9A-14A.
3. National Institute of Health. Migraine information page: National Institute of Neurological Disorders (NINDS). [homepage on the Internet]. 2015 [cited 2015 Apr 2]. Available from: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Web site: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/migraine/migraine.htm
4. 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.

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Crowder, call our McKinney office at 972-449-5845. You can also click the button below.

If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.