(972) 562-0674
1502 W. University Drive #107 | Mckinney, Texas 75069

Migraine, Migraines, Headache, Headaches, Head Pain, Migraine Headaches, Migraine Relief, Headache Relief, Tension Headache, Tension Headaches, Migraine Headaches, Migraine Headaches ReliefIn the United States, approximately 18% of adult females and 6% of adult males are currently dealing with migraines. When you add in the children who suffer from migraines, it totals about 38 million people. Common migraine triggers include neck pain, weather conditions, strong smells, stress, and even certain foods and beverages.

While migraines are being researched heavily due to their prevalence, there is still little understood about this neurological condition. In the end, doctors often go back to the prescription pad to try and find solutions for patients who are in pain, missing work, and growing depressed over the debilitating condition.

This has led to the expansion of the market for headache medications. As a result, pharmaceutical companies are racing to produce products that cover over the symptoms better than previous drugs. The problem is that these new medications still only address the symptoms and not the underlying problem. There are also numerous side effects to these drugs.

For example, one company has chemically engineered a compound that has been abbreviated to CGRP. The idea behind this compound is that it can bond artificially with places that modulate pain in the body and control other headache factors. Unfortunately, the first version of the mediation failed its clinical trials because it resulted in liver toxicity, so the pharmaceutical company went back to the drawing board to find a safer version.

 

A Natural Way to Deal with Migraines

Many are looking for natural migraine solutions, and if you are included in that number, I want to encourage you to give upper cervical chiropractic care a try. The top bones of the spine, the C1 and C2, play a major role in the nervous and vascular systems of the body. They help to protect the brainstem and to facilitate blood flow to the brain. When these bones are misaligned, migraines are just one of the may possible outcomes.  

Case studies have revealed that headaches can be improved or even relieved in as little as one or two adjustments. Before trying another medication, why not see if upper cervical chiropractic can provide the help that you need in a natural way.

References:
Reeves A. New Migraine Drugs Could Ease Investors' Headaches. http://news.investors.com/technology/061115-756710-teva-amgen-lilly-alder-cgrp-antibodies-target-migraine.htm (accessed 12 June 2015).

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.

Migraine, Migraines, Headache, Headaches, Head Pain, Migraine Headaches, Migraine Relief, Headache Relief, Tension Headache, Tension Headaches, Migraine Headaches, Migraine Headaches ReliefMigraine pain is impossible to ignore.  A migraine episode is not just an average headache.  Most sufferers experience many other unpleasant symptoms, including nausea or vomiting and extreme sensitivity to sounds, smell, and light.

There are many conjectures floating around about the source of migraines, and many have been able to identify certain things that will likely trigger an episode.  Any type of head injury, including those sustained in a car accident, sporting injury, or even a slip on a sidewalk, can trigger a new condition or worsen an existing one.  Head injuries can also bring on other new symptoms along with migraines, such as dizziness, changes in memory, and sleep difficulties.

 

Addressing the Root Cause of Migraine

An often overlooked factor when head pain occur after an injury is that the spine may have been injured as well.  The uppermost vertebra in the spine is the most freely movable and can easily misalign with any type of head or neck injury.  When this happens, it can put abnormal stress and tension on the brainstem, which can affect blood and cerebrospinal fluid flow and nervous system function.  The inability of these functions to happen properly can lead to the development of head pain.

The goal of upper cervical chiropractic is to restore normal alignment to the atlas, the vertebra that sits just beneath the skull at the top of the neck.  By doing so, the body's normal ability to function is allowed to return and, given time to heal, head pain can be reduced or eliminated.  An added benefit is that since we are addressing your migraines at the root of their cause, the results we obtain aren't temporary. They're made to last.

References:

http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/neurologic-disorders/headache/migraine

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.

Migraine, Migraines, Headache, Headaches, Head Pain, Migraine Headaches, Migraine Relief, Headache Relief, Tension Headache, Tension Headaches, Migraine Headaches, Migraine Headaches ReliefMigraines seem to be more and more common in today’s hectic world. In fact, in the United States alone, 38 million people experience head pain including men, women, and children! This means that 12% of the population have migraines. This is more than those with diabetes and asthma together! Some common symptoms of migraine are:

Doctors are relieving migraines on a daily basis, yet little is understood about how and why they occur. They are often misdiagnosed. Some common triggers are:

Because so little is known about migraines, there are few things that help eliminate symptoms in all people. A new drug being researched is said to help prevent migraines. This is done by targeting the specific part of the body that is responsible for regulating blood vessels and sending pain signals to the brain. The way that this drug works is that it stops pain messages that are being carried to the brain. This may sound like great news for migraine sufferers. However, remember that any type of medication comes with unwanted side effects. Also, the underlying cause of head pain is not being addressed. This means that migraines will more-than-likely return.

 

Where to Find Natural Migraines Help

As an upper cervical chiropractor, I have seen much success in helping my migraine patients cope with their headaches. Research has revealed that changes in the function of the brainstem may be responsible for migraine headaches in some people. Therefore, I employ a technique that helps me to examine my patients for misalignments in the upper neck vertebrae.

If a misalignment has occurred in the C1 or C2 vertebra, this may be putting undue pressure on the brainstem, hindering it from sending proper signals to and from the brain and body. Once gentle adjustments are made, and the spine comes back into proper alignment, patients often report a decrease in symptoms and some have seen their migraines completely go away.

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.

sleep, migraineA staggering 1 billion people worldwide suffer from migraines, making it the 3rd most prevalent illness in the world.  If you’ve ever had a head pain, you’d know that it’s not just a really bad headache. A migraine episode comes with a host of other symptoms, including nausea or vomiting, dizziness, and extreme sensitivity to sound, light, and smell.  Poor sleep can also be associated with migraines that are both more frequent and more severe.  This can be due to several factors, including added stress, environmental changes, and various types of medications. Implementing these 5 tips might help you get a better (and much needed) night of sleep:

  1. Use your bed only for sleeping.  Avoid reading, eating, watching TV, or listening to music in bed.
  2. Use visualization and relaxation techniques to shorten the length of time it takes you to fall asleep.
  3. Schedule a consistent bedtime each night, even on your days off, that will allow for 8 hours of time in bed.
  4. Don’t take naps during the day – they can make sleeping at night more difficult.
  5. Have your last meal of the day at least 4 hours before bedtime, and limit fluids within 2 hours of bedtime.

 

Going Beyond Migraine Symptom Management

The chances are that if you’ve been dealing with head pain for any length of time, you have tried a multitude of treatment options.  Perhaps some of them have even provided a measure of temporary relief.  What we do here at Crowder Specific Chiropractic is help sufferers understand the root cause of their condition.  Upper cervical chiropractic is concerned with the uppermost vertebra in the neck, the atlas.  The atlas forms a protective ring around one of the most critical areas of our central nervous system, the brainstem.  If the atlas misaligns, even by a small amount, it can place abnormal stress, pressure, and strain on the tissues of the brainstem.  This can compromise the body’s ability to function normally, and can be the underlying cause of the symptoms.

Many patients find their way to our office in their search for natural care that doesn’t involve medications (and their side effects) and more invasive procedures.  Upper cervical chiropractic is gentle, safe, and effective at relieving the root cause of many people’s head pain.  Results with upper cervical care are often longer lasting since it goes beyond mere symptom management.

References:

https://migraineresearchfoundation.org/about-migraine/migraine-facts/
https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/living-with-migraines/life-with-headachemigraine/sleep-insomnia-and-migrainge/

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.

10 Signs A Migraine Might Be ComingIf you are a regular migraine sufferer, you might be aware of the telltale signs that an attack is right around the corner.  If your head pain come less frequently, then you may not realize that there are a series of events that may happen in the hours, or sometimes even days, leading up to a migraine episode.  Learning to recognize these signs, and perhaps what might be triggering them, can be helpful in defending yourself against future attacks:

  1. Repetitive yawning
  2. Nausea
  3. Light sensitivity (photophobia)
  4. Sound sensitivity (phonophobia)
  5. Difficulty with speaking
  6. Concentration problems
  7. Food cravings
  8. Stiff neck
  9. Upset stomach
  10. Depression

All of these potential symptoms make up what’s called the prodrome phase of a migraine.  The prodrome phase can also be referred to as the preheadache or premonitory phase – a sign of what is to come.  It is estimated that about 30 to 40% of sufferers experience the prodrome phase, but it is also believed that this estimate is on the low side.

 

The Search for Lasting Migraine Relief

There is still some level of mystery surrounding the exact mechanism by which migraines occur.  In some research, migraines are considered a neurological headache and in others a vascular condition.  Regardless of a migraine’s origins, getting relief is often the number one priority for sufferers.  Most of the treatment options available are symptom-based, meaning that they are designed to relieve certain aspects of a migraine episode, such as the headache or nausea.

For people seeking out an approach that is natural, effective, and meant to last, upper cervical chiropractic care might be a great option.  Upper cervical chiropractic care influences both the nervous system and the vascular system by finding areas of spinal misalignment that are impeding the body’s ability to function optimally.  

More specifically we look at the atlas vertebra, the uppermost one in the neck, because of its ability to affect the brainstem – a critical part of our central nervous system.  At Crowder Specific Chiropractic, we see many people’s reduce in frequency or severity, or even resolve completely when this stress on the nervous system is removed with a gentle and precise atlas adjustment.  If you’re tired of dealing with head pain and feel like you’ve tried everything else, let us see if we can help you!

References:

http://www.achenet.org/resources/migraine_attack_the_four_phases/

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.

Migraine, Migraines, Headache, Headaches, Head Pain, Migraine Headaches, Migraine Relief, Headache Relief, Tension Headache, Tension Headaches, Migraine Headaches, Migraine Headaches ReliefMany migraine sufferers have an idea of what events during their day may lead to a full-blown attack. It can be stressful to attempt to avoid certain foods or lifestyle behaviors in order to prevent a pounding migraine. Some common triggers include:

- Stress – Physical and/or emotional stress

- Menstruation – Hormone changes just before and during menstruation

- Food additives – Artificial sweeteners and preservatives

- Improper sleep – Too little or too much sleep

- Certain foods/Meal habits – Excess sodium intake, processed foods, and aged cheeses

While it may be a good idea in the short-term to avoid these aggravating factors, I ultimately want you to be able to enjoy your daily activities without having to worry about whether your next migraine is about to start. Most relief care are aimed at reducing or avoiding symptoms without truly examining the underlying cause. Here at Crowder Specific, we are dedicated to finding out if our solution is right for you.

 

Your Spine and Migraines

Your spine is responsible for protecting your spinal cord. Your spinal cord is responsible for sending messages to and from your brain. When the top bone in your spine (atlas) misaligns, this creates pressure within your spinal cord. This pressure causes the messages going to and from your brain to be distorted. This may lead to chronic symptoms, such as head or facial pain and muscle spasm.

I hold the highest certification in the knee chest upper cervical technique, a chiropractic technique that is designed to gently re-align the atlas vertebra. Upper cervical is unique in that it is incredibly precise – this allows for no popping or twisting of the neck. Through realignment of the atlas, tension on the spinal cord is reduced. This allows for proper signals to travel to and from the brain. Having proper signals may lead to reduced symptoms.

Bernard et al. described a case report of a 16-year-old girl who presented with chronic headaches. She complained of having 2-3 hours duration 1-2 times per week. After 16 visits with 5 atlas corrections, her migraine frequency and duration decreased. She reported only having  mild migraines 2-4 times per month. (4)

References

  1. Mayoclinic.org. Migraine Causes - Mayo Clinic [Internet]. 2013 [cited 19 January 2016]. Available from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/basics/causes/con-20026358
  2. Bernard M, Alcantara J, Pierce S. The Care of a Teenage Girl with Migraine Headaches with the Advanced Orthogonal Procedure: A Case Report. J Upper Cerv Chiro Res [Internet]. 2013 [cited 19 January 2016];2013(January):14-19. Available from: https://uppercervicalsubluxation.sharepoint.com/Pages/2013_1239_migraine.aspx

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.

5 Common Migraine TriggersIf you suffer from migraines, you’re not alone.  Over 12% of the population suffers from migraines, which adds up to approximately 38 million men, women, and children. Many chronic sufferers are able to identify certain foods or environmental factors that will likely trigger an episode. Here are five common factors that can trigger the onset of a migraine:

  1. Food additives – For many people, they usually can pick out a food (i.e. chocolate) or drink (i.e. red wine) that will trigger an episode.  Food additives, on the other hand, can be trickier to identify since they’re often hidden in a long ingredient list.  Monosodium glutamate, or MSG, is a food additive commonly used as a flavor enhancer, and it can trigger migraines and headaches.
  2. Strong smells – Many patients report that perfumes, scented candles, or other strong scents like cigarette smoke can trigger an attack.  About half of patients also notice that they become more intolerant to strong odors during an attack.
  3. Stress – Not only can a dramatic increase in stress trigger, but a dramatic decrease in stress can as well.  Migraine patients can have an attack when stress mounts, or even at the beginning of a vacation when stress levels can disappear quickly.
  4. Sleep – Disturbances in your normal sleep cycle can bring on a migraine episode.  This can be due to jet lag, changes in work schedule, or taking care of a new baby.  As much as possible, sticking to a regular sleep schedule may help minimize migraine episodes.
  5. Dehydration or hunger – Skipping meals or not drinking enough water have been suggested as possible migraine triggers.

Being able to identify your possible migraine triggers may be helpful in reducing the frequency of episodes.  More people are seeking out natural, non-invasive means of relieving migraines for many reasons, including concerns over the long-term effects of medications.

 

Migraines and Your Upper Cervical Spine

One thing that many migraine sufferers have in common, whether they know it or not, is a misalignment of the topmost vertebra in the neck, the atlas.  When normal atlas alignment is compromised, it can affect various structures at the base of the skull, leading to compromised blood flow and nervous system function – both big players in the onset of migraines.  At Crowder Specific Chiropractic, we perform a thorough assessment of each of our patients to determine if an atlas misalignment is at the root of their condition.  If so, we are able to provide precise upper cervical adjustments to gently realign the atlas.  This has helped many migraine sufferers to obtain relief that is long-lasting and completely natural.

References:

http://www.migraineresearchfoundation.org/fact-sheet.html

http://www.healthline.com/health/migraine/triggers

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.

Crowder Specific Chiropractic

Helping patient's with their health problems and to determine the course needed to get the them back to health.

Crowder Specific Chiropractic Reviews

Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday:
8:30am – 12:00pm, 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Tuesday:
2:00pm – 6:00pm
Copyright ©
Privacy PolicyTerms and ConditionsLocation
map-markerphone-square linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram