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Migraines are a common and extreme neurological condition that affects about 1 in 4 households in the United States. Commonly thought to be just a really bad headache, a migraine is more complex than that.
Migraine Symptoms
Migraine symptoms range beyond a debilitating headache and can include nausea and vomiting, dizziness, disturbed vision, and extreme sensitivity to smells, sound, and light. Even though migraines are so common in the population, healthcare professionals, scientists and researchers still don’t have many answers regarding their origin.
Over time, more information that helps us better understand migraines has been brought to light. Migraine sufferers are challenged with sleep disturbances, anxiety, and depression — beyond what the average person is up against. Now we know that children get migraines as well, and that infantile colic can be linked to childhood migraines and may be an early form of the condition. Something else we’ve learned is that individuals suffering from migraines are more prone to develop cardiovascular problems at some point.
Results of New Study Reveal More Risks for Migraine Sufferers
According to a new study, migraine sufferers may be at higher risk for developing any of the following:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Blood clots
- Irregularities in their heart rate
The study compared the records of over 51,000 migraine patients and over 510,300 non-migraine patients. The trend they found was that migraine sufferers had a higher likelihood of developing health problems with their heart and blood vessels than their migraine-free counterparts. For every 1,000 people who were a part of the study, the following links were shown:
- Heart attack – 25 migraine patients vs. 17 migraine-free patients
- Blood clot-related stroke – 45 migraine patients vs. 25 migraine-free patients
- Life-threatening blood clots in their veins – 27 migraine patients vs. 18 migraine-free patients
- Irregular heartbeat – 47 migraine patients vs. 34 migraine-free patients
While this new information shows a probable connection between migraines and heart health, it is still unclear how the two are related. It’s possible, based upon one theory, that arteries in the brain may suddenly constrict when a person experiences a migraine episode, potentially leading to an increased risk of stroke. Another thought is that migraine sufferers often lie down for long periods of time, particularly if they have a chronic condition, which could easily lead to blood clots. One last piece of the puzzle may be high blood pressure, which is common among migraine sufferers.
Migraines and the Connection to Your Brainstem
The exact origin of migraines remains unexplained, but it is known that migraines result from issues within the brainstem. Located at the uppermost part of the neck is your brainstem, forming a junction at the bottom of your skull. If there is a misalignment of the vertebrae surrounding the brainstem, it can lead to inhibited function. These particular vertebrae are called the atlas and axis, and they make up the upper cervical spine. This part of the spine has unusual degrees of mobility as it is responsible for the head’s movement in all directions. There are many reason that the upper cervical spine could become misaligned. Here are few of the most common ones:
- Car accidents
- Sports injuries
- Falls
- Birth trauma (i.e. forceps or vacuum extraction)
- Work-related injuries
- High levels of physical or emotional stress
- Concussion
These types of events can cause direct impact to this part of the spine, forcing it into an abnormal position. The slightest misalignment of just millimeters can result in significant problems. Misalignments here put pressure on the surrounding tissues, leading to irritated ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves, and even the spinal cord.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Provides Long-Term Results
The upper cervical spine is considered by some to be the most complex area in all the spine. The shape of the bones as well as their unique design for movement are reasons this area of the neck is one of a kind. Upper cervical chiropractors are specifically trained in this area of the spine. They use digital imaging to locate any misalignment and proceed to use extremely precise adjustments based upon their measurements, tailoring relief for each patient’s individual issue. Upper cervical adjustments are different from standard adjustments in that they are safe and gentle, never forceful with cracking or popping the neck.
The benefits of correcting an upper cervical alignment are tremendous, including the possibility of resolving your migraines. Here are few improvements that can come from relief care:
- Blood flow – the blood vessels flowing between the head and neck are integrated within the upper cervical spine, so when a misalignment occurs, it can disrupt healthy blood flow, leading to migraines or other kinds of headaches.
- Nervous system function – your spine protectively houses the fragile spinal cord within its solid structure. The area nearest the neck, which is the upper cervical spine, contains the brainstem. Naturally a misalignment here means brainstem dysfunction, leading to a number of uncomfortable conditions.
- Flow of cerebrospinal fluid – cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF, brings nutrients to the tissues of the spine and is originally produced in the brain and then travels downward from there. CSF is also the vehicle the body uses to eliminate metabolic waste products from the tissues of the spine, keeping them healthy.
Ensuring these systems are functioning optimally could resolve migraine issues at the root of the problem. Upper cervical chiropractors do just that, administering a gentle, precise method of relief, and enabling their patients to avoid the need for medications or possible surgeries. Caring for your upper cervical spine can bring relief to your migraine symptoms and a number of other health conditions. To hear more about upper cervical care and whether we can bring you relief from your migraines, give us a call for a free consultation.
References:
http://migraineresearchfoundation.org/about-migraine/migraine-facts/
http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/neurologic-disorders/headache/migraine
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