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April 27, 2023 • Dr. Joey Kramer

Can Upper Cervical Chiropractic Help With Migraines?

Can Upper Cervical Chiropractic Help With Migraines?
The Patient (You Are the Hero of Your Recovery)

Living with recurring migraines or chronic tension headaches steals your focus, drains your energy, and forces you to plan your life around dark rooms and rescue medications.

Dr. Joey Kramer and our Southlake team understand that you were not meant to merely medicate recurring head pain—you deserve to know why it keeps happening.

Migraines are a debilitating condition that affect millions of people worldwide. While medication and lifestyle changes can help manage symptoms, many people are looking for alternative treatments to help reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines.

One such alternative treatment is upper cervical chiropractic care. But can upper cervical chiropractic really help with migraines? Let's take a closer look.

Understanding Migraines

Before we delve into the potential benefits of upper cervical chiropractic care for migraines, it's important to understand what causes migraines. Migraines are a type of headache that typically involve intense throbbing or pulsing pain on one side of the head. They can also cause nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.

While the exact cause of migraines is not fully understood, researchers believe that they may be related to changes in blood flow to the brain, imbalances in brain chemicals, or changes in nerve cell activity.

Migraines can be triggered by a variety of factors, including stress, certain foods, hormonal changes, and environmental factors.

How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Can Help

Upper cervical chiropractic care focuses on the top two vertebrae of the spine, known as the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) vertebrae.

These vertebrae are located at the base of the skull and play a crucial role in the proper alignment and function of the nervous system. Misalignments in these vertebrae can lead to a variety of health issues, including migraines.

During an upper cervical chiropractic session, a chiropractor will use gentle, precise techniques to realign the atlas and axis vertebrae. This can help improve nerve function and blood flow to the brain, potentially reducing the frequency and severity of migraines.

In one study, researchers found that patients who received upper cervical chiropractic care experienced a significant reduction in the frequency, duration, and intensity of migraines.

This study suggests that upper cervical chiropractic may be an effective alternative treatment for people with migraines.

Another study found that upper cervical chiropractic care helped reduce the intensity and frequency of migraines in 90% of the study participants. The researchers concluded that upper cervical chiropractic care may be a safe and effective treatment option for people with migraines.

Benefits of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care for Migraines

Non-invasive: Upper cervical chiropractic care is a non-invasive treatment that does not involve medications or surgery. This makes it a safer and more natural alternative to traditional migraine treatments.

Targeted approach: Upper cervical chiropractic care targets the specific vertebrae that may be causing migraines, making it a more precise and effective treatment option.

Improves overall health: Upper cervical chiropractic care can help improve overall health and wellbeing by restoring proper alignment and function to the nervous system.

Fewer side effects: Unlike medications and other traditional migraine treatments, upper cervical chiropractic care has few side effects and is generally well-tolerated.

Upper cervical chiropractic care may be an effective alternative treatment for people with migraines. By restoring proper alignment to the atlas and axis vertebrae, upper cervical chiropractic care can help improve nerve function and blood flow to the brain, potentially reducing the frequency and intensity of migraines.

If you're struggling with migraines, it may be worth considering upper cervical chiropractic care as a safe and natural treatment option. As always, it's important to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before beginning any new treatment regimen.

We hope that the information provided has been helpful in guiding you towards making the best decision for your chiropractic needs.

At Hope Chiropractic, we are committed to providing our patients with the highest quality of care and helping them achieve optimal health and wellness. If you have any questions or concerns, or would like to schedule an appointment, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

We serve Southlake, TX, Colleyville, TX, Grapevine, TX, North Richland Hills, TX, and other neighboring communities. We look forward to hearing from you and being a part of your journey towards better health.

Your Guide & Recovery Plan

Stop Managing Headaches—Address the Root Cause

Guided by Dr. Joey Kramer, D.C. at Hope Upper Cervical Spine Center in Southlake, TX—combining computerized infrared thermography, 3D craniocervical imaging, and gentle Blair Upper Cervical corrections with zero twisting or cracking.

Step 1

Schedule Your Consultation

Meet one-on-one with Dr. Joey Kramer in Southlake to share your story, health history, and goals.

Step 2

Precision 3D & Neurological Evaluation

We perform paraspinal infrared thermography, postural analysis, and 3D imaging to pinpoint your exact upper cervical alignment.

Step 3

Gentle Correction & Lasting Stability

Receive a custom, non-twisting upper cervical correction designed to hold so your nervous system can heal naturally.

The Outcome You Deserve

Wake up with a clear head, keep every commitment to your family and career, and leave chronic headache cycles behind.

Common Patient Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the connection between the Atlas vertebra (C1) and chronic migraines or headaches?

When the Atlas vertebra shifts out of alignment, it can place mechanical tension on the suboccipital nerves, irritate the trigeminocervical nucleus in the brainstem, and alter normal blood and cerebrospinal fluid flow between the head and neck—a primary structural trigger for migraines and tension headaches.

How is Upper Cervical Care different from taking daily migraine or headache medications?

Medications are designed to temporarily block pain receptors or abort an active attack, whereas Upper Cervical Care identifies and corrects the underlying structural and neurological irritation at the base of the skull so headaches occur less frequently and less intensely over time.

Can upper cervical adjustments help if I have had migraines or neck-related headaches for years?

Yes. Many of our Southlake patients come to us after years of chronic migraines or tension headaches that began after an old car accident, sports injury, or years of desk posture. Precision 3D imaging allows us to locate long-standing misalignments and restore stability safely.

Is the adjustment gentle enough to receive even when I have active head or neck tenderness?

Yes. There is no forceful twisting or popping of the neck. The correction is light, precise, and specifically angled to your joint anatomy, making it comfortable even for patients with heightened neurological sensitivity.

Verified Patient Outcomes

Patient Testimonials

★★★★★

“Dr. Kramer was my answer to constant, severe headaches which were caused by my neck. I went from having 15 to 20 debilitating headache days every month to zero. The relief has been incredible and I am so grateful.”

★★★★★

“After trying conventional chiropractic and medications without lasting success, targeted upper cervical care at Hope Southlake eliminated my recurring head pressure and gave me my daily life back.”

Dr. Joey Kramer, DC

Written by Dr. Joey Kramer, DC

Upper Cervical Specialist at Hope Southlake Spine Center. Dedicated to helping individuals find clarity and lasting relief from chronic neurological and spinal symptoms through upper cervical care.

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