Many people wish for migraine relief in Norton Shores. Migraineurs have a hard time dealing with the crippling and pounding pain in their heads. Migraines often cause a throbbing headache on only one side of the head. Migraines usually have
People used to believe that migraines originate from problems with the blood vessels in the head. However, recent research countered this prevailing theory. Migraine pain seems to stem from a malfunction of the central nervous system.
The following on this list are some theories that tell possible underlying causes of migraines:
Without a full understanding of these migraine contributors, patients may have a hard time getting migraine relief in Norton Shores.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and migraines download our complimentary e-book Natural and Drug-Free Ways to End Your Migraines by clicking the image below.
So far, researchers identify the cascade of biochemical reactions that happens, which triggers an inflammatory response and an overreaction of the trigeminal nerve.
What is the trigeminal nerve? It is a crucial pathway that controls pain sensations in the face and the head. Its overexcitement extends to other nerves in the meninges (this is the protective membrane that covers the brain) and causes pain and other migraine symptoms.
While each migraine attack is as unique as the person suffering from it, there are specific triggers that make it likely for a migraine attack to happen. Migraine triggers usually belong in the following categories:
Learning your migraine triggers can help you be one step ahead of an attack and get migraine relief in Norton Shores.
Migraines with aura are mostly the same thing as migraines. The only significant difference is the addition of "an aura." The "aura" is a disturbance you experience right before the actual head pain.
In some cases, you may acquire an aura but never get the head pain after. The aura is assumed to link to a part of the brain that manages signals from your senses. An electrical wave activates this aura.
Some individuals start to have warning signs a few days or hours before they get a migraine attack. This stage is called the pre-headache phase. It can include the following:
Some aura begins an hour or so before the head pain happens. It can be more than a distorted vision. It may also affect any of your other senses, and cause the following:
An aura lasts typically less than an hour. It may overlap with head pain. It is vital to take note that people with migraines are at a higher risk of heart disease, especially when they experience migraines with an aura. The risk of stroke is also high with these patients.
The usual care for migraines is medication, especially for migraineurs who get regular attacks. The approach is usually to stay ahead of the pain by taking prescription medication as soon as the pain starts and then proceeding to isolate yourself from loud sounds and bright lights. This approach only deals with symptoms.
If you wish to deal with the root cause of your migraines and get migraine relief in Norton Shores, then you need a different method. Let us introduce you to upper cervical chiropractic care.
A misalignment in the vertebrae of the upper neck can be the cause of your migraines. How so? A misalignment of the C1 or C2 vertebra can irritate the brainstem, which leads to head pain and aura symptoms.
Zehr Chiropractic offers natural migraine relief in Norton Shores, Michigan by performing upper cervical chiropractic. This method fixes misalignments in the neck through light pressure to help the bones of the realign naturally. Here in our office, our technique is precise and gentle and often leads to positive results. Many of our patients see their migraines go away and never return. Set an appointment with us by calling (231) 780-9900 or accomplishing this form.
To schedule a complimentary Atlas Orthogonal consultation, call 231-227-4495 or just 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.
Many patients visit our migraine chiropractic center in Norton Shores, Michigan, for help with their headaches. They have several symptoms indicating that they are dealing with migraines, but they aren’t quite sure if it’s not a headache after all. If you often complain of severe head pain but aren’t sure what you have, we’re here to help.
Note that these two symptoms vary in multiple ways. To be able to distinguish one from the other, a good place to start is by learning about the symptoms. We’ve listed below eight of the most common symptoms of migraines. At the end of the article is a natural type of care that can help manage or even eliminate symptoms altogether.
A headache is the hallmark symptom of migraines, and about 85% of episodes involve throbbing or pulsing head pain. This is a defining difference between the two health issues. However, not all migraines include a headache. It may be the most common symptom, but it doesn’t mean it always has to be present.
About 3 in 5 migraineurs experience pain on one side of the head. However, it is a common misconception that migraines only bring one-sided head pain. About 2 in 5 patients experience pain on both sides of the head. A headache felt on both sides of the head could still be migraines as long as it occurs with other symptoms of the neurological disorder.
Sensory sensitivities are also common in migraineurs, especially light sensitivity. Sound and smell sensitivities are also prevalent among people with migraines. Bright lights, strong smells, and loud sounds can trigger an episode. These sensitivities combined with other symptoms can make life miserable. For this reason, many people choose to stay in a dark, quiet room whenever an episode sets in.
Double vision, blurred vision, and even temporary loss of vision can occur during an episode. Almost half of the patients experience these vision changes, and they may come even without a headache. If you have the ocular type, you may only experience vision changes in one eye. Vision loss lasts for about 30 to 60 minutes. Doctors often recommend patients undergo an eye exam to rule out any possible physical problem with the eye.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and migraines, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
Some people find neck pain to be a surprising symptom. Even doctors do not commonly ask about neck pain when patients complain of migraines. For this reason, neck pain is an often overlooked sign, even if it preludes or occurs during an attack. Neck pain and migraines have some connection, and we will explain more about that in the last part of this post. Neck pain relief may also bring on lasting relief.
This is another common symptom especially for people who experience vestibular migraines. It can be due to the pain itself or the combination of migraines and vertigo.
About 20-30% of patients vomit during an episode. Vomiting does not always happen, but it’s always a good idea to keep a container nearby during an attack in case you feel like throwing up.
Between 20-30% of patients experience sensory disturbances called an aura. Those who experience migraines with aura are at higher risk for related conditions such as general anxiety disorders and clinical depression. An aura is often a series of visual symptoms that last for 20 to 30 minutes and occur before an attack. Patients may see flashes of light, spots, or wavy lines.
We know for sure that people with chronic migraines want to find a permanent solution to their condition. Many patients opt for a natural remedy that does not involve medications and the unpleasant side effects that may come with them. Fortunately, many patients have found relief through upper cervical chiropractic care.
Daily exercise, avoidance of triggers, and sleeping enough at night help alleviate episodes. But sometimes these lifestyle adjustments are not enough. When these steps don’t seem to help much, note that there are other options available to care for migraines in Norton Shores.
One of them is upper cervical chiropractic care. It is a unique type of chiropractic care that focuses in the two top bones of the spine (C1 and C2 vertebrae).
Upper cervical chiropractors use diagnostic imaging and various exams to determine if a misalignment exists and to get precise measurements of the angle of misalignment in the upper cervical spine.
If misalignment exists, they employ a gentle adjustment that is customized to the needs of each patient. These adjustments are long-lasting and allow the body more time to heal from the damage caused by the misalignment.
A misalignment of either the C1 or C2 vertebra can result in a disruption in brainstem function and the flow of blood and cerebreal spinal fluid to and from the brain. These factors can contribute to the development of migraines.
Upper cervical chiropractic does more than manage symptoms. It resolves the underlying cause of migraines in some people, especially those who have experienced head or neck trauma in the past.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms we’ve mentioned above, especially if you have a history of neck or head trauma, we strongly urge you to try upper cervical chiropractic care as a possible solution. Schedule a consultation here at Zehr Chiropractic, a migraines chiropractic center in Norton Shores, Michigan.
To schedule a complimentary Atlas Orthogonal consultation, call 231-227-4495 or just 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.
Migraines are becoming more and more common. It is reported that about 39 million people in the United States suffer from the neurological illness. It affects everyone – men, women and even children. Although a common condition, very few funds are set aside for studies to explore the disorder and help people restore health. In 2013, the reported budget allotted for migraine research was only 50 cents per migraine patient!
Children are not exempt from migraines. The truth is that they suffer from migraines as much as adults. However, migraines often go undiagnosed in children.
Migraines materialize a little differently in adults, but they are just as debilitating for children. Before you take the first steps to finding relief for your child, here are some facts you must know about migraines and their impact on the lives of kids.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and migraines, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
While the headache is the well-known symptom for adults, children living with migraines get more non-headache and neurological symptoms such as the following:
Migraine symptoms vary depending on the age of the child. Here’s how migraines present for every age range.
Overall, children have fewer and shorter migraines than adults, but their experience can be just as challenging and can have a huge impact on a child’s quality of life. Migraines can cause kids to acquire anticipatory anxiety, the constant worry about when the next migraine will strike and interrupt their life. Children suffering from migraines often miss school and are unable to join in social activities.
Some children and teens experience chronic migraines. This means they have more than 15 migraine episodes per month, with each one lasting for at least 4 hours. To be diagnosed, this should occur for 3 months consecutively or more. There are teens who report daily head pain, cognitive issues, dizziness, sleep troubles, depression, anxiety, and fatigue. These symptoms are difficult to cope with and can be an obstruction on one’s life and day-to-day activities.
When your child is living with migraines, make sure they are having enough rest, avoiding migraine triggers, and not exposing themselves to stressful situations. Zehr Chiropractic in Norton Shores, Michigan shares these tips to educate families about migraines in children:
Some more tips to help take care of your child’s migraines when they occur:
Instead of relying on medications that only temporarily treat migraines, parents should address the underlying problem of their child’s migraines. It has been revealed that migraines can be linked to a misalignment in the upper cervical spine, specifically the C1 and C2 vertebrae. A misalignment is very likely in this area of the body as the mobility of the upper cervical spine makes the moving of the head in many directions possible. Due to its mobility, it’s also susceptible to misaligning.
The C1 and C2 vertebrae also protect the brainstem. If these bones misalign, the brainstem can be under pressure, leading to a malfunction in the nervous system, particularly the blood flow and sending of signals to and from the brain.
Here at Zehr Chiropractic, we do upper cervical chiropractic care that uses a natural and gentle method to help your kid’s bones to move back into place. We know that a child’s bones are more vulnerable and sensitive than adults. We do not pop or crack the spine. Instead we perform painless adjustments of the bones. Our patients, both adults and kids, report restoration of blood flow and nervous system function after one or two adjustments, leading to fewer migraines. Some see their migraines vanish completely and not return. Schedule a no-obligation consultation with us to learn more about how your children can regain their health and enjoy life to the fullest.
To schedule a complimentary Atlas Orthogonal consultation, call 231-227-4495 or just 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.
The medical term for a neck headaches is a cervicogenic headache, a type of secondary headache caused by issues in the neck instead of the head. Twenty-four percent of all headache cases brought to doctors’ attention are secondary type headaches, according to researchers. Thankfully these headaches can be resolved by correcting the problem that is causing them.
Neck headaches can originate from various parts of neurovascular or musculoskeletal structures in your upper neck – within the upper three vertebrae (the C1, C2, and C3), neck muscles, and spinal cord coverings.
When there is a problem in this area, it sends pain signals through the trigeminocervical nucleus in the brainstem. These messages are received by your brain via your brainstem and from there they are interpreted as a headache.
When neck joints are too stiff, move too frequently, or are stuck in an abnormal position, it can lead to a neck headache, or even in some cases, facial pain.
Pain can sometimes begin in the neck when your neck muscles or shoulder blades are overworked, spasming, or knotted. The reason these muscles may become overworked is from protecting injured neck joints.
In other cases, certain muscles in the neck can become weak from lack of use, putting a higher demand on the other muscles and causing fatigue-related symptoms. In order for the neck muscles to function optimally, they should have normal resting tension.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and migraines, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
Bony growths from arthritis, disc bulges, or swelling can lead to pinched or irritated neck nerves. The pain messages get sent along the nerve pathways and can cause headaches. One way to think about it is as if your neck is the switch and your nerves are the electrical wires. When the wires light up is when the headache happens.
These kinds of headaches can get confused with migraines since the symptoms are very similar. However, neck headaches symptoms are not nearly as severe as a migraine’s. Here is a list of secondary neck headaches symptoms:
One simple way to help with neck headaches is to be intentional about improving your posture. Here are a few tips to get you started. First, examine your current posture by asking someone to take a picture of you from three different angles: front, back, and side. Look for the obvious signs of proper posture; your head and neck should be positioned over your body.
Basically, you don’t want your forehead to be ahead of your chest, or your rear end to be sticking out behind you. See if you notice whether your hands hang evenly and if your hips are at the same level. You can use a free app like Posturezone to help you determine if your posture is correct. Always check in with your doctor or chiropractor before starting an exercise program.
If you choose the help of an upper cervical chiropractor, you may find exactly what you are looking for to relieve your neck headaches. We are a unique niche of chiropractors who focus on the top bones of the spine. Misalignments in this area can lead to issues such as neck headaches and other headache types.
The gentle method we use never requires popping or twisting the spine to get results. Instead, we encourage the bones to return to their proper position, and by doing so we provide a longer-lasting adjustment. Most of our patients and those in case studies come back with reports of significant improvements in their neck headaches issues after only one or two adjustments.
To schedule a complimentary Atlas Orthogonal consultation call 231-227-4495 or just 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.
Headaches are very common. Almost everyone has had an experience with headaches. They may range anywhere from mild and achy to severe and painful. As many as 90 percent of the population suffers from headaches.
A person’s life quality and well being can be negatively impacted by headaches, especially if they are severe. Some headaches, such as migraines, cause you to have to lie down in a dark room until the pain subsides. Headaches also come along with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, and odor.
Headaches are difficult to diagnose because they have such a wide range of symptoms, and they impact each person differently. Also, there are a number of different causes. Research reveals that 1 out of every 7 people with a headache end up at the ER for pain relief.
Headaches are often linked to more serious health problems. Therefore, medical doctors feel compelled to do a variety of different tests to rule out specific conditions, such as strokes. Many doctors fear a malpractice lawsuit if they do not insist on performing certain tests like MRI’s and CT scans.
However, this unnecessarily exposes their patients to radiation that could probably have been avoided. Ordering these imagining scans is the second most costly decision an ER doctor makes only after whether or not a patient should be admitted to the hospital.
Another dangerous thing being done with migraine patients is prescribing medications without first trying a more natural approach. Many medications come with unwanted and unsafe side effects. Thankfully, there is a natural way to care for headaches, and it has proven to be successful. We will discuss this later in this article. First, let’s look at the different kinds of headaches.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and migraines download our complimentary e-book Natural and Drug-Free Ways to End Your Migraines by clicking the image below.
There is a common link between the above-mentioned headaches. They can all be caused by a misalignment in the bones of the upper cervical spine. The C1 and C2 vertebrae were specially designed to protect the delicate spinal cord and brainstem.
However, if the bones have moved out of place due an accident or injury, they can actually put the brainstem under stress and lead to it sending improper signals to the brain. A misalignment can also act as a blockage to the vital flow of blood and cerebrospinal fluid to and from the brain. This can lead to intracranial pressure or lack of proper oxygen-rich blood getting to the brain. By correcting the misalignment, the body’s fluid flow can be regulated, and communication between the body and brain can be restored.
Here at Zehr Chiropractic in Norton Shores, Michigan, we use a gentle method that does not require us to pop or crack the back or neck. Rather, we encourage the bones to move back into place naturally. This technique was used in a case study that observed 100 people with headaches and migraines. All of them reported a great improvement, some in just two or three adjustments. Many saw it go away and not return.
To schedule a complimentary Atlas Orthogonal consultation, call 231-227-4495 or just 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.
Migraines are one of the most common issues that affect people in the US with nearly 39 million sufferers. That accounts for about 18% of women, 6% of men, and 10% of children. So why are there still so many migraine myths circulating online?
Common doesn’t always mean well-understood in the medical field. With that in mind, we’re going to debunk 9 of the biggest migraine myths and provide you with hope that natural relief might just be within your reach.
If you get migraines, then you’ve heard this one over and over, and it probably just about drives you mad. Here’s is the difference between a headache and a migraine. A headache is one symptom of a migraine (and is only actually present in about 85% of migraines). A migraine is a neurological condition with multiple symptoms. That’s right, migraines are in the same category of disease as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.
Caffeine is a drug, and if your body becomes dependent, quitting cold turkey can cause headaches, but that doesn’t mean switching to decaf or getting off coffee altogether is the answer to migraines. Occasionally, a cup of coffee can help with a migraine. Why? Because it increases blood flow and migraines are often due to reduced blood flow to certain parts of the brain (more on that later).
About 90% of people who get migraines are related to someone who also gets them. Doesn’t that mean migraines are inherited? Nope. It just means that the genetic predisposition to migraines is passed on from parent to child. That explains why a child of a migraineur has a 50% chance of getting migraines, and if both parents get migraines those odds increase to 75%.
Many who focus on natural health methods believe supplements are the answer to everything. Sometimes supplements are a great solution. However, you need to be sure that you are consulting with a physician to make sure the supplement you choose won’t interact with medications. You should also be on guard against allergens, the potential for overdose, and side effects. If your body has a deficiency that is causing the migraines, a blood test should show the problem. Then you will know which supplements to take.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries, migraine myths, and migraines download our complimentary e-book Natural and Drug-Free Ways to End Your Migraines by clicking the image below.
One of our favorite migraine myths is about diet. If you have food sensitivities, there may be certain things you have to avoid in order to keep from triggering migraines. But foods are rarely migraine triggers. It is far more common for triggers to include environmental factors, weather, and lifestyle choice. Eating healthy is certainly good for you. Just don’t expect it to cure your migraines.
We’re not knocking medication. There are times you just don’t want to be in pain and need to take something for it. But there is a danger in calling pain medication a migraine treatment. Pain medication doesn’t actually fix the underlying issue. In fact, many medications used for migraine pain can actually cause headaches and perpetuate a cycle of medication overuse. So don’t throw away all of your migraine medication, especially if you have found something that works for you. Just be sure that you are using the medication as directed and are aware of the potential side effects.
Some of the top causes of migraines are car accidents, sports injuries, assault, and slip and fall accidents. But that doesn’t mean you have to start experiencing migraines from the day of the accident or injury for it to be related. If the initial trauma causes an upper cervical misalignment, it could be weeks, months, or even years before symptoms arise. So don’t write off that old injury as being unrelated to your migraines.
Neck pain is one of the most common migraine symptoms. In fact, about 75% of patients have neck pain either prior to or during the headache phase of a migraine. That means that neck pain is almost as common of a migraine symptom as a throbbing headache. So don’t write off the neck pain as being unrelated. In fact, it may be your most important symptom.
If you are suffering from migraines, especially if you get neck pain on occasion or you have a history of physical trauma, there may be a very simple and natural solution – upper cervical chiropractic care. If the neck pain is due to an upper cervical misalignment or if a head or neck trauma caused such a misalignment, this can be creating the circumstances under which migraines occur. These circumstances include:
As a result, it just makes sense to have the top two bones in your neck examined by an upper cervical chiropractor.
What do you think about the migraine myths we listed above? Do you use to believe in them? If you have been struggling with migraines for a long time because of your bad beliefs about the condition, we can help you here at Zehr Chiropractic.
We specialize in the alignment of the C1 and C2. So if you are experiencing migraines, come and our Norton Shores Upper Cervical Chiropractor clinic or call us at (231) 780-9900 for more information. Many patients have seen a dramatic reduction in the frequency and severity of migraines after having an upper cervical misalignment corrected. A consultation may even be your first step on the path to becoming migraine-free!
To schedule a complimentary consultation with a Norton Shores Upper Cervical Chiropractor, call 231-227-4495 or just 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.