Foundational Correction and Migraines

The medical community, in the 1950s, acknowledged the link between headaches and misalignments in the upper cervical region of the body (the top of the neck). A 1958 publication in the Journal of the

American Medical Association reported that headaches were not necessarily pained in the head but a pain in the neck. But then, rather than identify and tackle the underlying cause, doctors kept prescribing strong medications to alleviate the secondary condition (symptom). Unfortunately, these drugs usually have harmful side effects, including:

· Nausea

· Abdominal pain

· Feeling of weakness

· Dizziness or vertigo

· Pain in the throat, neck, or jaw

· Burning, tingling, and other abnormal sensations

Migraines are debilitating. As such, there is no better way to get relief than treating the primary cause. And this is where Foundational Correction using specific upper cervical chiropractic care comes in. In this article, we will see how Foundational Correction fixes the cause of migraines, but first, let’s talk about migraines.

What is a migraine?

A migraine is a neurological disorder that is characterized by multiple symptoms. Debilitating headaches are usually characterized as a migraine. Common symptoms include difficulty speaking, vomiting, nausea, tingling or numbness, and extreme sensitivity to sound and light. Migraines are often hereditary and are not restricted to a particular age group.

Diagnosis of this condition is based on reported symptoms, clinical history, and by ruling out other possible causes. Migraines are categorized into two classes: migraine without an aura and migraine with an aura.

In some people, migraines may begin in childhood, while in others, they may not begin until late adulthood. The risk of having a migraine is higher in women than in men. Family history is one of the most typical factors for migraine.

Phases and symptoms of a migraine

The symptoms of a migraine may begin a day or two before the pain. This is referred to as the prodrome stage. Symptoms during the prodrome stage include:

· Depression

· Food cravings

· Fatigue

· Hyperactivity

· Frequent yawning

· Hyperactivity

· Low energy or fatigue

· Stiffness of the neck

· Irritability

What about migraines with an aura?

Now, for migraines with an aura, the aura starts after the prodrome stage. The person will experience problems with sensation, vision, speech, and movement. Examples of symptoms during this stage include:

· Temporary loss of vision

· Inability to speak clearly

· Seeing light flashes, bright spots, or shapes

· Having a tingling or prickling sensation in your arms, face, or legs

Next comes the attack phase. The attack phase is the most severe or acute phase of migraine. This is when the pain itself occurs. Sometimes, this can overlap or occur during an aura. Symptoms of this phase can last from a few hours to several days. The symptoms vary from person to person. Common symptoms include:

· Nausea

· Increased sensitivity to sound and light

· Faint feeling or dizziness

· Pain on one side of the head (left, right, back or front).

· Vomiting

· Throbbing or pulsing pain in the head

The postdrome phase comes after the attack phase. You’ll have mood changes and changes in feelings during this phase ranging from extreme euphoria to a sense of fatigue and apathy.

Foundational Shifts can be the primary cause of migraines

Car accidents, concussions, sporting accidents, slip and falls, birth trauma and poor posture are just a few of the many factors that can contribute to a Foundational Shift in the upper cervical spine (the top of the neck). Multiple minor, or seemingly negligible incidents in the past, can accumulate (like a cavity) causing the spine to shift outside of the normal range.

A Foundational Shift can cause swelling around the central nervous system. The result is increased pressure on the nervous system and improper circulation to the brain, which results in headaches. There is a high correlation between the upper neck area and migraines or chronic tension headaches. Removing the obstruction around the brainstem resolves most headaches. Once the pressure goes away, the nervous system begins to function as it should, and the headache or migraine resolves.

The Foundational Difference

Foundational Correction helps relieve migraines and headaches by focusing on fixing the primary condition. This unique form of chiropractic is a gentle one and does not involve popping, cracking, or twisting of the neck. What’s more, your chiropractor will perform an x-ray to ensure accuracy.

What does the study say?

A 2012 study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine found that Foundational Correction effectively relieved migraine and tremors. A 39-year-old woman who had migraine 2–3 times weekly was involved in the study. The subject had been on medications such as sumatriptan, acetaminophen, dichloralphenazone, isometheptene, and propranolol. Unfortunately, the relief given by these medications was only temporary.

After giving her consent to Foundational Correction, the subject underwent specific adjustments to her upper cervical spine, primarily the C1 and C2 (atlas and axis bones of the neck). The migraines and tremors improved after her first adjustment. Results were consistently positive over the next four months.

References

Hubbard, T. A., & Kane, J. D. (2012). Chiropractic management of essential tremor and migraine: a case report. Journal of chiropractic medicine, 11(2), 121–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcm.2011.10.006