Female migraine sufferers may find their symptoms get worse during a surprising time – approaching menopause. Chronic migraines are more frequent in the perimenopausal period (between ages 42-47). Migraine frequency may increase to 10+ episodes per month! (1)
Fluctuating hormones (estrogen and progesterone) are partially to blame; however, some researchers think that the overuse of medication for pain may be a contributing factor to increased migraine frequency. (2) Traditional treatment for these hormonal fluctuations includes contraceptive medication or estrogen patches. While these options may provide some relief, they do not address the cause of the migraines.
How does my neck cause my migraines?
Your spine is responsible for protecting your spinal cord. Your spinal cord is responsible for sending messages to and from your brain. When the top bone in your spine (atlas) misaligns, this creates pressure within your spinal cord. This pressure causes the messages going to and from your brain to be distorted. This may lead to migraine symptoms, such as head or facial pain and muscle spasm.
Upper Cervical Care is a chiropractic technique that is designed to gently realign the atlas vertebra. Upper Cervical is incredibly precise – this allows for no popping or twisting of the neck. Through realignment of the atlas, tension on the spinal cord is reduced. This allows for proper signals to travel to and from the brain. Having proper signals may lead to reduced migraine symptoms.
Verderame et al. reported a case of a 75-year-old woman with chronic migraine headaches since she was a teenager. She initially utilized pain medication and anti-inflammatories to manage her symptoms and only saw a slight reduction in her headache severity. After experiencing atlas corrections over the course of 5 months, her migraine severity decreased from 8/10 initially to a 3/10. Her medical doctor stated that her migraine duration and frequency also decreased. (3)
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The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
