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If 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:
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.
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.
If you’re an adult who has ever experienced the pain of a migraine, you know just how terrible it can be. As adults, we are able to communicate these issues, call out from work if necessary, and perhaps take some time to lie down in a dark, quiet room to try and sleep it off. But, what happens when migraines occur in kids? This actually happens more often than you might think. According to the Migraine Research Foundation, half of all sufferers have their first attack before their 12th birthday. Research has also shown that approximately 60% of kids who suffer from migraines will continue to have attacks past the age of 30.
When it comes to caring for children, many parents are actively seeking out natural alternatives. Traditional migraine treatments, for both adults and children, rely heavily upon medications. These medications are aimed at relieving the various symptoms of a migraine episode, including nausea, and the pain of the headache itself. These medications are great at providing temporary relief, but they don’t come without risk, and they, unfortunately, do nothing to address the root cause of the condition.
More and more parents are bringing their children into our practice for upper cervical chiropractic care because of our gentle and specific approach. We specialize in assessing and correcting misalignments of the topmost vertebra of the spine. It’s especially important to have children who suffer from migraines checked for this type of misalignment. When the atlas misaligns, it can compromise normal blood flow between the head and neck, and can interfere with normal brain-body communication, leading to headaches and migraines. Because of the shape and biomechanics of the atlas vertebra, it is particularly susceptible to misaligning. Because kids will be kids, falls on the playground and injuries on the sports field can be to blame.
If your child is suffering from migraines and you’re looking for a natural solution, then upper cervical chiropractic may be exactly what you’re looking for. Restoring normal atlas alignment and normal body function with a specific, gentle atlas correction can be the key to reducing or even eliminating migraines for good.
References:
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.
Whiplash can occur in any sort of injury or accident that whips the head forward and backward or side to side very quickly. Even a minor car accident can result in long-term pain and other symptoms. In fact, according to one recent study, between 4 and 8 percent of people who experience whiplash have still not returned to work one year after the injury occurred. This type of injury can, therefore, have major effects on a person both physically and emotionally.
The same research noted above was part of the results of a study performed to see if long-term whiplash effects could be predicted at the time of the injury. In order to assign a risk category, the patient needs to be examined within 4 days of sustaining the injury. However, differences between the 7 risk categories only varied slightly. For example, in the lowest risk category, the number of patients yet to return to work after one year was at 4%, but that number only increased to 7.68% for the highest risk category. This shows that even so-called minor whiplash injuries can still have long-term effects.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and chronic neck pain, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
You may not immediately think of chiropractic after a neck injury. After all, the last thing you want is to have your neck violently popped or twisted again. However, upper cervical chiropractic is very different. Only very gentle methods are used, making the adjustment safe and effective.
At Crowder Specific Chiropractic, we focus our attention on the C1 and C2 vertebrae. By gently correcting misalignments in this vital area of the body, many ongoing symptoms of injuries can be relieved. This is because the misalignments sustained in this location may affect brainstem and overall central nervous system function resulting in long-term health problems. A consultation can help you to find out if this is the best way to treat your whiplash injury.
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.
If you suffer from migraines, you already have to deal with pain that can sometimes take you out of commission for days. Migraines are not just a really bad headache. They come along with a host of other neurologically-based symptoms such as disturbances in vision, nausea, and extreme sensitivity to light, sound, and smell. On top of managing these attacks, and living with the anxiety of when the next one might occur, research is now emerging that women who suffer from migraines are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease than their non-migraine counterparts.
The numbers published in the report show that women with migraine headaches are 39% more likely to have a heart attack, 62% more likely to suffer a stroke, and 73% more likely to have other heart problems. On the surface, there doesn’t seem to be a connection between migraines and the heart. However, there is a connection, and it lies within the nervous system, which controls the function of the cardiovascular system. The nerves in our bodies control everything from the opening and closing of blood vessels, to the regulation of our heartbeat. When an issue arises in the central nervous system, it can affect the ability of the cardiovascular system to function normally.
Migraine headaches have remained somewhat of a mystery to the medical profession, but the more that is understood, the more a connection is revealed between migraines and the nervous system. Migraines are known as neurological headaches that can occur because of abnormalities with brainstem function. Upper cervical chiropractic specifically focuses on the vertebra that surrounds and protects the brainstem. This vertebra, the atlas, forms a protective ring around the brainstem. However, if some type of injury or trauma occurs, it can cause a misalignment that places abnormal stresses on the tissues surrounding the brainstem. This can be the underlying cause of many migraine cases.
Typical treatments for migraines can be great for addressing symptoms, like reducing the headache and quelling the nausea. Unfortunately, these treatments do nothing to correct the root cause of the condition. People have achieved long-term relief from their migraines with upper cervical chiropractic care—a simple, gentle, and specific adjustment. By restoring normal atlas alignment, the nervous system is allowed to return to its normal function, which may not only reduce migraines but also benefit the cardiovascular system as well.
References:
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/06/02/migraines-tied-to-increased-risk-of-heart-problems/?_r=0Elster 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.
Migraines are, unfortunately, an extremely prevalent condition, affecting approximately 38 million people across the U.S. If you don’t suffer from migraines, chances are you know someone who does. Migraines are not simply just a really bad headache; they are accompanied by a host of neurological symptoms that can sometimes take days to recover from. Healthcare options for migraine sufferers are fairly limited overall and mostly consist of a variety of medications that seek to combat the pain and nausea associated with an episode.
We have seen a trend where more and more people are seeking out natural treatments or remedies for their conditions, and migraine headaches are no exception. People who suffer from chronic migraines may feel tied to different pharmaceuticals they’ve been prescribed to manage the many symptoms, from the pain of the headache to nausea. Many have concerns over side effects, ramifications of long-term usage of these medications, or just prefer to try and manage their health with a more natural approach. Certain supplements and herbs have been looked at in the management of the condition, including:
While supplementation can be helpful in symptomatic treatment, it doesn’t address the root cause.
In many cases, migraine headaches have their roots in the nervous system. The central nervous system controls and coordinates the function of all the other systems in the body. In the instance of migraines, oftentimes the blood vessels, or vascular system, are involved as well. A very specific type of misalignment of the atlas vertebra, which sits at the very top of the neck at the base of the head, is found in most people who find their way to our office with migraines. When the atlas shifts, it creates an obstruction in the ability for the brainstem to function normally. This means that normal signals travelling over the nerves are compromised, and blood flow is affected, which can contribute to the many symptoms of a migraine attack.
At Crowder Specific Chiropractic, our priority is figuring out if a misalignment of the atlas is at the root of your migraines. If through our thorough analysis, it is determined that your atlas is not aligned properly, we work with you to gently restore normal alignment with specific upper cervical chiropractic adjustments. This will, in time, allow the body’s natural healing process to take place, which can lead to a reduction in the frequency and/or severity of your migraine headaches.
References:
https://migraineresearchfoundation.org/about-migraine/migraine-facts/
https://www.migrainetrust.org/living-with-migraine/treatments/supplements-and-herbs/
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.
Many 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 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
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.
If 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:
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.
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.
Whiplash is the over-extending of muscles of the neck that causes them to become sprained or torn. It is usually due to an accident of some sort. When this over-extension occurs, the bones of the upper neck can become misaligned causing problems throughout the body. This condition affects up to two million people in the United States.
Research done on vehicle collisions that come from behind revealed that injuries to the neck can happen at speeds as low as 5 mph. Most accidents occur at speeds of 6-12 mph. This may not cause the automobile to be damaged, but the body is much more susceptible, especially the neck.
It may be surprising to learn that whiplash can occur with other activities besides a car accident. Some of these include:
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and chronic neck pain, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
Injuries while doing any of these activities and more can result in neck damage. This can lead to further damage in the body, even years later. Drs. Kaeser and Ettlin reported in a German medical journal that the following problems can be a result of whiplash injuries:
While this can be disturbing, there is help available. The same two German doctors stated that by adjusting the cervical spine and correcting the injuries caused by whiplash these problems can be avoided.
It is important for a person who has been diagnosed with whiplash to seek out the care of an upper cervical chiropractor as soon as possible. The earlier it is treated, the fewer problems will ensue. We will begin by examining the upper neck for any possible misalignments. We will then develop a relief plan for that individual patient. We do not twist or pop the neck but use a gentle, effective relief care to bring the body back into alignment and allow healing to begin. Many future health problems can be avoided by getting the right kind of help.
Reference:
http://danmurphydc.com/kaeser.whiplash.pdf
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 are an extremely common condition, affecting a whopping 38 million men, women, and children in the U.S. alone. Also it tend to run in families – if one parent is a migraine sufferer, there is a 40% chance that their child will also have migraines. If both parents are affected, that chance grows to 90%! Some people may not realize how debilitating can be – they’re not just a really bad headache. Migraines are often accompanied by extreme sensitivity to light, sound, or smells, as well as nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances.
A recent study showed a possible link between asthma and migraines. This link may be due to the common theme of inflammation, either of the airways in the case of asthma, or inside the blood vessels in the case of migraines. Overall, the presence of asthma in a person practically doubled their risk of having chronic migraines – 15 attacks or more on a monthly basis.
What is important to note about the possible correlation between asthma and migraines is the connection of both conditions to the proper function of the nervous system, which is responsible for the control of inflammatory responses in the body. Interferences in nervous system function can be caused by spinal misalignments, particularly at the level of the brainstem. The two bones that normally provide protection for the brainstem can misalign as a result of an injury or wear and tear on the spine. This can put abnormal pressure on the brainstem, disrupting nervous system function, which can be attributed to chronic sufferer.
Crowder Specific we take a natural approach to migraines. We look at the alignment of the vertebrae in the upper neck that protect the brainstem and are able to gently realign them when necessary. This allows normal neurological function as well as normal blood flow to be restored between the head, neck, and body. Vital information is carried via the brainstem, and those messages must be conveyed properly in order for the body to function normally and for you to be migraine free.
References:
http://www.migraineresearchfoundation.org/fact-sheet.html
http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/news/20151204/asthma-chronic-migraine-headaches
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.
The exact cause of migraines has stumped the medical field. As more research is being done, signs are increasingly pointing to migraines being a neurologically-based type of event. A series of chemical reactions in the body can trigger an overexcitement of nerves, in particular, the trigeminal nerve which is responsible for pain sensation in the face and head. This overexcitement can also spill over to other nerves as well as the meninges that cover the spinal cord and brain, which can lead to all of the symptoms of migraines.
As people who have suffered from a migraine will understand, a migraine is not just a run-of-the-mill headache. It is often accompanied by a host of other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances. Auras may precede the start of the migraine event, and can include blind spots, weakness, and visual hallucinations.
For many people with migraines, the treatment approach has been to try and stay on top of symptoms as they appear. This often means painkillers for the headache, and sometimes hours or days of isolation in a dark, quiet room. Since migraines are known to have their roots in the nervous system, a solution that has been helping many sufferers is ensuring that there is proper communication in the nervous system.
Communication over those pain pathways can be interfered with by a misalignment in the vertebrae of the spine, particularly of the upper bones in the neck due to their relationship with the brainstem. In his McKinney, TX practice, upper cervical chiropractor Dr. Terry Crowder has helped many migraine sufferers regain their quality of life by addressing the root cause of their condition. Dr. Crowder corrects specific misalignments of the top two vertebrae of the neck that, when misaligned, can disturb normal nervous system function leading to the development of migraines. Addressing the cause of migraines at their source allows for reduction of their frequency and duration without the need for medications.
References:
http://www.healthline.com/health/migraine-causes
http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/what-is-a-migraine-with-aura
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.
