Do you suffer from Headaches and Migraines? If you do suffer from migraines, then you know just how debilitating they can get. Not only do they cause intense pain, they negatively affect every aspect of one’s life including: work, social and family life. Most migraine sufferers are dependent on medications for relief that may be damaging to their organs. Medications only fix the problem temporarily and the migraines continue to return on a daily, weekly, monthly or yearly basis. Current chiropractic and medical research trends are pointing to the upper cervical spinal region as the major culprit for migraine sufferers.
Upper Cervical Chiropractors and Doctors of Medicine have been conducting research utilizing upright MRIs to study the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to the brain in patients that have had some type of neck injury in one’s life. CSF consistently flows from the brain to the spinal cord through the upper cervical region of the spine and then back to the brain in a continuous cycle. CSF is vital for the brain as it supplies the brain with essential nutrients and in turn eliminates the waste. When there is a misalignment in the upper cervical spine (the top two bones) caused by a head injury, car accident, sports injury or fall, it puts pressure on the brainstem and spinal cord which affects the ability of the CSF to flow smoothly from the brain to the spinal cord and back. When the CSF is not able to flow smoothly, this causes a back flow of fluid in the brain which in turn puts pressure on the small blood vessels resulting in migraine headaches.
Scott Rosa, D.C. and Damadian, M.D. have shown on upright MRIs that there is a decrease in CSF flow from the brain to the spinal cord in whiplash patients that complained of migraines. This is due to the close relationship of the top bone (the Atlas) and the brainstem. The top two bones of the spine are the most movable and most vulnerable to injury. In this study, the patients received a specific upper cervical adjustment and the post upright MRI concluded that the CSF flow was restored back to normal and the patients no longer suffered from migraines. This study can explain why upper cervical chiropractors have had such great success with migraine sufferers.
Upper cervical chiropractors are unique in the chiropractic field, only 5% of chiropractors practice “upper cervical specific chiropractic.” They utilize specific X-rays, thermography and gentle and precise adjustments in order to correct the misalignment in the upper cervical spine. If you or someone you know sufferers from headaches, tell them to have their upper cervical spine evaluated by an Upper Cervical Chiropractor. Upper cervical chiropractors do not twist or pop the neck but utilize a very gentle and precise adjustment that can improve the quality of life in migraine sufferers.