Migraine is a primary headache disorder characterized by moderate to severe headaches. Typically, the headaches:
- Affect one half of the head.
- Are pulsating in nature.
- Last from two to 72 hours.
Migraines may also have associated symptoms including:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Sensitivity to light, sound, or smell.
- Made worse by physical activity.
- Up to one-third of people have an aura: typically a short period of visual disturbance which signals that the headache will soon occur.
The severity of the pain, duration of the headache, and frequency of attacks are different from person to person.
Migraines are believed to be due to a mixture of environmental and genetic factors. About two-thirds of cases run in families. Changing hormone levels may also play a role, as migraines affect slightly more boys than girls before puberty and two to three times more women than men. The risk of migraines usually decreases during pregnancy. The underlying mechanisms are not fully known. It is, however, believed to involve the nerves and blood vessels of the brain.
The blood vessels and nerves of the upper cervical region of the spine are vulnerable to misalignments of the bones of the upper cervical spine.
The carotid arteries, the jugular vein, the vertebral arteries and the Vagus nerve all pass through the region of the atlas bone and when this bone is misaligned, it can restrict circulation of blood to and from the head, as well as restrict cerebral spinal fluid circulation.
This can result in a lack of oxygen to the brain which is associated with migraines.
Our gentle drug-free approach to the upper cervical region of the spine restores the function of this area by correcting the misalignment of the atlas-axis complex.