Migraines and the Nervous System

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.