Woman with migraine

Migraines are a common problem, being the third most widespread illness around the world and the most prevalent neurological condition. In the United States, approximately 39 million people deal with migraines, and this issue affects a staggering 1 billion individuals worldwide.

If you’re dealing with severe migraine headaches, you probably know about the terrible pain, sensitivity to light and noise, feeling queasy, and sometimes throwing up. Some people with migraines also experience vision problems, numbness, tingling, feeling clumsy, or trouble talking, which can make these headaches really tough to handle.

The usual way doctors treat migraines is by giving you medicines you can buy without a prescription or ones that need a doctor’s prescription. But as you might have seen in ads for these medicines on TV or read in the Physician’s Desk Reference, lots of these drugs can have pretty serious side effects.

Understanding the Causes of Migraines

Migraines can start because of various things like stress, bright lights or loud sounds, feeling tired, being hungry, food choices, hormonal shifts, weather changes, drinking too much caffeine, smoke exposure, head injuries, moving your neck in certain ways, or even using the wrong pillow. But it’s essential to remember that although these things can trigger migraines, they don’t directly cause them.

Dr. Seymour Diamond, who heads the National Headache Foundation, recently shared some exciting news about migraine research. Thanks to advanced imaging technology, scientists believe they’ve found a possible root cause of migraines: a malfunctioning brain stem. When the brain stem, located near the top part of your neck, isn’t working correctly, it sets off a chain reaction that leads to blood vessels around the brain swelling up, eventually resulting in a migraine headache.

Exploring the Potential of Upper Cervical Corrections

Some people think that Upper Cervical care is only for back and neck pain. While it’s true that our doctors can help with those issues, that’s just a small part of what we do. We’ve seen people with all sorts of problems, like migraine headaches, get better with our care.

Upper Cervical care is based on a simple idea: cause and effect. It sees your body as a natural healer, controlled by your central nervous system, which is protected by your skull and spine. Our Upper Cervical doctors use gentle methods to find and fix any problems in your nervous system. This helps your body heal itself without needing drugs or surgery.

When the upper part of your neck, called the upper cervical spine, isn’t aligned correctly, it can mess up how your brainstem works. This mix-up can lead to migraine headaches. Lots of things, like car accidents, injuries from sports or work, stress, falls, and even problems during birth, can cause these misalignments in your upper neck.

Effective Lifestyle Changes for Managing Migraines

Making changes to your diet and lifestyle can also be beneficial in managing migraines. Here are some lifestyle adjustments that may help:

  1. Ensure you get a regular 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night. This amount of sleep can potentially reduce the frequency of migraine attacks.
  2. If you notice the early signs of a migraine, it’s a good idea to pause your activities. Find a quiet, dark room with minimal disturbances and apply an ice pack to the back of your neck. These steps may prevent the symptoms from worsening.
  3. When you sense the onset of migraine symptoms, allow yourself a break to relax. Taking this time to unwind might help prevent the migraine from becoming more severe.
  4. Identify any foods or drinks that appear to trigger your migraines and consume them less frequently. Once you’ve pinpointed these triggers, consider reducing your consumption or eliminating them from your diet altogether.

Man wake up with headache

NUCCA Chiropractor in Chicago, Illinois

If you’re suffering from migraine headaches and want to see if Upper Cervical Chiropractic care can help, we suggest finding a qualified doctor near you using our global directory.

It’s important to mention that Upper Cervical care has shown potential in helping with many health issues. This highlights the natural healing power of your body. Our main goal as Upper Cervical doctors is to align the top two bones in your neck correctly. When these bones are in the right position, your head sits properly, allowing your brain and body to communicate effectively for better overall function.

NUCCA Wellness Clinic of Chicago for Migraine

Migraine headaches can be an incredibly tough condition, affecting millions of people all over the world. While certain triggers can set them off, it’s essential to know that the main cause of migraines might be in the upper part of your neck. Upper Cervical Chiropractic care offers a natural and holistic way to deal with this root cause and has shown promise in not just easing migraines but also in helping with various other health problems. If you’re looking for an alternative solution to your migraine issues, consider talking to an Upper Cervical Chiropractor. They can help you on your journey to better health and relief from these debilitating headaches.

If you are located around the Chicago region, reach out to NUCCA Wellness Clinic of Chicago if you are suffering from migraine headaches. Call (224) 676-1920 or fill out a contact form to learn more. You can visit us in Chicago, IL or our other spot in the Northwest Suburb.