Migraine: Before You Cut Your Head Off Try...

Migraines, as you well know ... are debilitating. During my Migraine Workshop, we go over some of the more common solutions for treating Migraines, and what our focus is including; the how's and why we approach prospective patients who suffer from Migraines with a different vantage point.

Most of our prospective patients have been else where (numerous health-care providers of various specialities) and have been thoroughly tested (MRI's, CAT scan, EEG's). And all NORMAL - yet, normal with severe Migraines, which as you can imagine is frustrating.

First line of care is usually your family doctor with Migraine Medication or even some heart medications... next is usually the specialist visit - usually the Neurologist. They can prescribe stronger Migraine medication and usually recommend further advanced testing.  Plus any lifestyle changes are recommended, such as avoid certain foods, stress, climate or hormonal issues - which is a review for most with this information. Traditional Migraine care attempts to minimize the vascular component of migraines.

Our Migraine Focus? 

First,  you must understand what normal is, and no.... normal is not just being without migraines....(nice) but doesn't mean normal.   We focus on 2 distinct areas: first the upper cervical or the part of your neck that rests just beneath the back of your skull, the second is your TMJ temporomandibular or jaw joint.

Why those areas, when the pain is in my head? 

This is why.... the trigeminal nerve or cranial nerve five (CN V). Part of the trigeminal nerve extends down the brain stem to the level of the upper cervical neck.  Which, if this part of your spine is outside the normal range can lead to abnormal function of the trigeminal nerve leading to headaches or specifically Migraines.  As you know, the trigeminal nerve carries pain signals from the face, jaw, neck and controls much of the blood flow of the brain. This isn't the only cause of Migraines, however if your migraines are idiopathic (that's the I don't know for sure diagnosis)... then this type of care should be sought out.

However, we also look at the jaw, especially the TMJ or  temporomandibular joint. I consult with Dentists to see if their are any structural problems with your jaw.  This is vital, because abnormal jaw position puts the upper cervical spine outside the normal range.... affecting the trigeminal nerve.  

Our care focuses on correcting the upper cervical spine back into the normal range. Along with specific emphasis placed on the TMJ, temporomandibular or jaw joint, with the help of your dentist or orthodontist.  

We use specific spinal corrections (not the traditional agressive spinal manipulations), with structural rehab that focuses on the muscles of the neck along with the ligaments of the cervical spine.  Also, complementary requirements, products that are customized for your case.

The goal is the decrease the severity, their duration and of course the frequency.  Or care is unique, in that we look at the neurology (nerves- trigeminal ), the muscles of the neck, structural portion of the upper cervical spine and jaw (temporomandibular)  and finally, the vascular which is co-managed by your family doctor or specialists.

For more information: call 609-465-5358

Comments

[Slimming Store]

Shades of Denny Crane.

[Coc]

i get an aura where i start to see zig zagy patches of light and color which sollwy moves around and changes shape over time. Then after about half an hour, the headaches comes. i get real sensitive to light and if i move around, it just makes it worse and makes be sick. Migraines are the worst pain i have ever experienced, and iv broken my arm twice and got shot in the eye with a paint ball gun.

[Stas]

Written for physicial thastpires. The author believes many chronic headaches have a cervical origin and that while continued use of analygesics may ease the symptoms, they do not address the underlying cause. This books defines the types of headaches patients suffer from, what factors trigger joint pain, how to diagnose headaches, and treatment based on the work of Geoff Maitland, author of Vertebral Manipulation.