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.

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.