What is a Migraine?
Migraines are a type of extraordinarily strong headache often leaving the person incapacitated until the pain dissipates. Many migraine sufferers experience sensitivity to light, smells, foods, chemicals, and loud noises. It is not uncommon to see a migraineur locked inside their bedroom with the lights off, curtains closed, and their eyes and ears covered. Sometimes the person will also experience nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and pain in the upper neck.
What Causes Migraines?
Scientists do not currently agree on the cause of migraines. Originally, many thought migraines were caused by changes in brain circulation. Now they are thinking changes in circulation are a consequence and not the initial cause. Recent research suggests migraines are caused by overactive nerve cells that send out signals that trigger the trigeminal nerve, which innervates your head and face. This causes your body to release chemicals like serotonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). CGRP makes blood vessels in the lining of your brain swell. Then, neurotransmitters cause inflammation and pain.
Current thinking is that hormones, foods, stress, chemicals, medications, or poor sleep can over stimulate the nerves thus triggering the migraine. There are many different types of migraines: migraine with aura (classic migraine), migraine without aura (common migraine), menstrual migraine, silent migraine, abdominal migraine, vestibular migraine, ophthalmic migraine, hemiplegic migraine, migraine with brainstem aura, and status migrainosus.
Blair Chiropractic and Migraines
For over 50 years, Blair Chiropractors have helped thousands of people suffering from various types of migraines. Based on current science, we know there is usually a trigger in a person with nerves susceptible to overstimulation. Therefore, the formula to correct the problem must involve avoiding (if possible) the trigger, while improving and maintaining proper nerve function. When Migraine suffers go to a Blair Chiropractor for the first time, the doctor will take a health history to attempt to discover potential triggers. Next a physical examination including 3D Upper Cervical Imaging will show if the patient has an Upper Cervical Misalignment, sometimes referred to as Cranio-cervical junction syndrome or Cervico-cranial syndrome. Not everyone with an Upper Cervical Misalignment has migraines. Generally, the patient will have a genetic or physiologic susceptibly. Sensitive individuals require gentle solutions. This is where the Blair Chiropractic Technique is particularly indicated because it is a precise and gentle method of correcting the head and neck misalignment, which may be causing overstimulation of the nerves in the upper neck and brainstem. Overuse of migraine medications can actually cause more migraines. When possible, treatments that do not involve strong medications can save people lots of money along with certain side effects.