Migraine headache is the most common neurological disorder in the world. Despite it’s prevalence, there are millions of people across the country that suffer without relief from this debilitating condition.
For most people, migraines are only something they deal with a few times a year. That’s nothing to be happy about because they are still devastating when they strike, but there are pockets of the population that suffer with migraine type headaches on a regular, sometimes daily basis.
When the treatment causes the disease… Most people with occasional migraines will lean on migraine versions of over-the-counter drugs like Ibuprofin or Tylenol. However, chronic migraine sufferers will turn to prescription medications like Imitrex and Treximet, and even some preventative medications to reduce a headache’s onset.
An unexpected problem arose with the treatment of chronic headaches in the late 90’s. Doctors started noticing that many people with chronic headaches started having headaches related to the daily use of the medications they were taking. In other words
The side effect of headache medication overuse is chronic headache
If not Medication, then what?
I’ve written a lot about migraine headaches in the past. You can read some of my previous thoughts on the subject here:
Is Grain-Free Right for me? What’s a Normal Headache? Chronic Daily Migraine Headaches
Migraines are one of the most common conditions that are referred to me by internists, family doctors, and eye doctors in the Wellington and West Palm Beach area. Most of the time, I’m referred these patients because these patients have tried most of the available migraine drugs available. They’ve also tried things like acupuncture and Botox, but their headache days still exceed 10-15 days per month.
Atlas Correction Procedure
One of the most common and missed causes of migraine headache is a structural shifting of the head and neck. When the head and neck shift, it can disrupt normal circulation to the brain and create an environment ripe for headaches. This is called an Atlas Displacement Complex.
This is why there are a lot of treatments and therapies that can take the pain away from a migraine headache, but they may not be doing anything meaningful to change the environment that is causing the headache to begin with.
At Keystone Chiropractic we use a gentle procedure called an Atlas Correction that is designed to restore normal structure and biomechanics to the head and neck. The correction is a very low force procedure that is very subtle, and almost imperceptible to the patient.
However, the changes on a patient’s post-correction x-ray are profound and migraine patients usually begin noticing improvements in the intensity and frequency of their headaches very quickly.
Here is an example of a testimonial from a life long migraine and headache patient:
I have suffered with headaches virtually every day of my life since I was about 8 years old. Some days I could barely function…other days were tolerable. I tried everything from drugs…to bio-feedback…to chiropractic care…to changes in diet…to botox injections…to hypnosis and visualization. Whenever my stress level went up, so did the amount of pain in my head and neck and shoulders. When the weather was bad or windy…my headaches seemed to increase. When I was excited or anxious or happy or sad…my head hurt!About 2 months ago, I began seeing Jonathan Chung. With no popping, twisting or cracking…I am almost headache free. My head doesn’t feel heavy anymore!!! Truly, this seems like a miracle. I’ve never felt like this before. – Rona K
Did you like this article? Feel free to share it with the people you care about and see if a Complimentary Consultation is the next step to regain their health. Dr. Chung is a practicing Structural Chiropractor in the West Palm Beach area. He has been published in peer reviewed scientific journals and is a sought after speaker in health and wellness. Follow his blog at http://chiropractorwellington.com/category/keystone-chiropractic-blog/ or find him on twitter at @drjonathanchung
