It’s believed that nearly half the global population (46%) suffer from headaches in some form and that in the US, 10% of people are affected by the condition (1,2).

Migraines can have a debilitating effect on patients and tend to affect women twice as often as men. The condition can alter mood and concentration and has caused problems both at work and in social areas of life.

Most people rely on general prescription drugs and over-the-counter relief such as Ibuprofen. Others try to modify their lifestyle choices, perhaps following a different diet, getting more sleep, or doing more exercise.

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and migraines download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below:

The proposed new drug being formulated by pharma companies aims to block certain proteins in the body that transmit pain to the central nervous system. However, preliminary results have been somewhat disappointing showing the drug to be less than 50% effective and in some cases only 20% effective.

As such, many migraine sufferers are still keen to look for more natural and successful treatments. Thankfully, there are also doctors who want to help. Here at Progressive Chiropractic, we treat many patients with migraines in a gentle and natural way.

Using the NUCCA technique, we focus on the atlas bone (C1 vertebra) which is the first cervical vertebra of the spine. When misaligned, this bone can result in headaches and discomfort. A study of 100 migraine sufferers who had misaligned atlas bones showed that all benefitted from as few as 1-2 upper cervical chiropractic adjustments (3) and some were completely cured of headaches, removing the need for medicinal relief.

References

1. Stovner LJ, Hagen K, Jensen R, Katsarva Z, Lipton R, Scher A, Steiner T, Zwart JA. The global burden of headache: a documentation of headache prevalence and disability worldwide. Cephalgia 2007;27(3):193-210
2. Wainer D. The Pharma Industry Thinks It Finally Has a Fix for Migraines. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-21/there-s-hope-beyond-botox-as-pharma-races-for-first-migraine-fix (accessed 24 July 2015).
3. Elster EL. Upper cervical chiropractic care for a patient with chronic migraine headaches with an appendix summarizing an additional 100 headache cases. J Vert Sublux Res 2003;AUG(3):1-10

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Leach call (425) 673-2190 or just click the button below:

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It is thought that these migraines are due to hormonal fluctuation, leading to dilation of blood vessels in the brain; however, the cause of these irregular hormones is currently unknown. Current management of these migraines is through an estrogen patch or birth control pills. While these can be potentially effective in the short term, they do not examine a possible root cause of these hormonal migraines.

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and migraines download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below:

Migraines and Your Spine

Your spine helps to protect your spinal cord. Your spinal cord carries signals to and from your brain. When the top bone in your neck (atlas) is misaligned, this can create pressure within your spinal cord. This can distort messages going to and from your brain, potentially leading to facial pain, muscle spasm, and other migraine symptoms.

I am trained in NUCCA, a specific chiropractic procedure aimed at detecting and reducing atlas misalignments. NUCCA involves a gentle chiropractic adjustment with no twisting, popping, or cracking. Through realigning the spine, the pressure in the spinal cord is reduced. This can potentially lead to a reduction of migraine systems.

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 visiting a Blair Technique practitioner 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.

References

1. Doyle K. Migraines may worsen before menopause [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][Internet]. Reuters. 2016 [cited 2 February 2016]. Available from: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-menopause-migraines-idUSKCN0V42N6
2. Verderame J, Hollowell J. Cone-beam Computerized Tomography for the Bio-mechanical Assessment of the Occipito-atlanto-axial Articulation in a 75-year-old Woman with Migraines Undergoing Blair Technique. J Upper Cerv Chiro Res [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2 February 2016];2013(July):60-64. Available from: http://www.mccoypress.net/juccr/docs/2013-1255_migraines.pdf

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Leach call (425) 673-2190 or just click the button below:

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What Is a Rebound Headache?

Also called a medication overuse headache, rebound headaches are caused by the very pain relievers used to treat them. This can occur when pain medication needs to be taken 3 or more times per week.

The cause of your migraines could be linked to a slip, fall, accident or injury in your past.  Is there something like that in your past that is significant enough that you still remember it today?  That may very well have caused the suffering you’re experiencing today.  To learn more about the connection between mild and severe head and neck injuries and migraines, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below:

Breaking Cycle of Migraines

Are you looking for a natural alternative to get rid of your migraines? One that won’t cause more head pain as a side effect? At Progressive Chiropractic, we use the NUCCA technique to attack migraines at their source… the neck.

Surprisingly to many, migraines are often caused by a misalignment of the upper neck bone in relation to the head. This is because the top bone (Atlas) is situated at the base of the skull where the brain comes out of the head and goes into the neck near the brainstem. Even a slight misalignment can place pressure on the brainstem and cause migraines, headaches and many other symptoms. When the head and neck are properly realigned, migraines are often reduced or eliminated as has been demonstrated in studies.

Reference:

• Elster EL. Upper cervical chiropractic care for a patient with chronic migraine headaches with an appendix summarizing an additional 100 headache cases. J Vert Sublux Res 2003;AUG(3):1-10

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Leach call (425) 673-2190 or just click the button below:

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• Lack of sleep
• Low blood sugar (skipping meals)
• Bright lights
• Loud sounds
• Red wine
• Menstruation

Avoiding potential triggers may decrease the frequency of your migraines; however, it does not address their root cause. Many migraine sufferers are opting for a natural solution.

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and migraines download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below:

Migraines and Your Spine

Your spine helps to protect your spinal cord. Your spinal cord carries signals to and from your brain. When the top bone in your neck (atlas) is misaligned, this can create pressure within your spinal cord. This can distort messages going to and from your brain, potentially leading to facial pain, muscle spasm, and other migraine symptoms.

Dr. Leach is trained in NUCCA, a specific chiropractic procedure aimed at detecting and reducing atlas misalignments. NUCCA involves a gentle chiropractic adjustment with no twisting, popping, or cracking. Through realigning the spine, the pressure in the spinal cord is reduced. This can potentially lead to a reduction of migraine symptoms.

Elster reported a study of a 35-year-old female who suffered from daily migraines and tension headaches for 12 years. Her symptoms were debilitating – she would often have nausea and vomiting. After 3 months of specific atlas care, her migraine symptoms were gone. (2)

If you are interested in more information on how NUCCA may help your migraines, give Progressive Chiropractic a call at (425) 673-2190.

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Leach call (425) 673-2190 or just click the button below:

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Migraine headaches often start with what is known as an aura. This is the body’s way of warning you that something is about to happen. Auras encompass a wide range of symptoms – from subtle to severe. Things like a ringing in the ear, a throbbing head, and visual disturbances are some examples of what can be experienced during the aura.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and migraines download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below:

Really, just as every individual is unique, so is every migraine. The issue that presents is that when you look at treatment options, there is little variety. Relief from migraines is, therefore, elusive. Certain generic options can help, but it is rare to have the condition resolved or even well controlled. Research is showing that the pharmaceuticals normally used to treat headaches can, over time, actually worsen them.

In lieu of the foregoing, many doctors are looking for other options when it comes to the treatment of migraines. They are seeking to individualize the treatment in order to make it more effective.

Dr. Kevin Leach of Edmonds, Washington is an upper cervical chiropractor who is also looking at this growing problem from an individual standpoint. He recognizes that migraines are normally the result of other issues. A misalignment of the neck, for instance, can cause vascular and neurological issues that can manifest as migraines.

Often, slight adjustments to the Atlas bone, which is the C1 vertebra, at the top of the neck can resolve a host of conditions including migraines. Clinical studies have shown that this gentle method can completely resolve migraine headache issues with just a couple adjustments.

References: 

1. Pascal S. New treatment options for migraine relief. http://www.montereyherald.com/health/20150520/new-treatment-options-for- migraine-relief (accessed 22 May 2015).

2. Elster EL. Upper cervical chiropractic care for a patient with chronic migraine headaches with an appendix summarizing an additional 100 headache cases. J Vert Sublux Res 2003;AUG(3):1-10

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Leach call (425) 673-2190 or just click the button below:

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The truth of the matter is it’s all in your head, literally. It is well known that migraine is related to the amount of blood flow to the head, the nerves and nervous system, and how the brain is able to react to those factors. Migraines are a challenge even for the best doctors and specialists since the condition is broad in nature and each person has a unique presentation.

Most people are just getting by with over the counter medications such as ibuprofen. What if you actually had the ability to influence how well that pill worked? One drug company thought so and has made headlines. One of Australia and Britain’s largest drug company was exposed for selling the same medication (a variant of ibuprofen) for a variety of conditions. The same formula was put into different branded boxes for conditions like migraines and the company has been exposed.

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and migraines download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below:

But what if works better because you think it will? Well one study gave headache patients a dummy pill, one group received the pill as a normal over the counter medication and the other group received the same pill branded as a pain relief pill. The pain pill patients reported better results. While having an optimistic outlook is good for any patient what can actually be done to correct the cause of migraines?

Many people are not looking for a pill to solve their problems; instead they want natural migraine relief. That’s where migraine specialist Dr. Kevin Leach has been successful with patients in Edmonds Washington. As an Upper Cervical chiropractor Dr. Leach is able to get to the root cause which is often found in the neck. The first bone in the spine under the skull is known as the Atlas vertebra.

Modern science has shown that when the Atlas is out of its normal position that it has negative affects on the blood flow and nerves to the brain which may result in migraines. Studies performed on patients receiving upper Cervical Chiropractic care have shown a reduction in frequency and duration of episodes. Some cases even reported complete resolution of migraines in as little as one or two adjustments.

References:

1. Migraine research Foundation. Migraine Fact Sheet. http://www.migraineresearchfoundation.org/fact-sheet.html (accessed 18 December 2015).
2. Alemoru K, Ruz C. The strange psychology of pain relief medicine. http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35091242 (accessed 18 December 2015).
3. Elster EL. Upper cervical chiropractic care for a patient with chronic migraine headaches with an appendix summarizing an additional 100 headache cases. J Vert Sublux Res 2003;AUG(3):1-10

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Leach call (425) 673-2190 or just click the button below:

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What We Know About Migraines

The cause is unknown, but what we do know can give us some clues as to how to treat migraines. A lack of oxygenation to the brain is linked to head pain. A reason for this can be connected to the upper two vertebrae (the C1 and C2). These two vertebrae are prone to having misalignments due to their positioning. If there is a misalignment, this can hinder blood flow and oxygen to the brain. It can also affect neurological function. All of these things can play a role in developing migraines and other headaches.

Another similarity noted is that a number of people that have chronic headaches also have had an injury to their upper neck or head. Even minor incidences can cause a misalignment due to the instability of the area of the neck involved. A study of 101 patients that had a variety of headaches revealed that 87 of them had prior neck or head injuries.

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and migraines download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below:

Treatment for Chronic Headaches

An upper cervical chiropractor uses a highly specialized method of analysis to detect misalignments in the upper neck. Dr. Kevin Leach of Edmonds, Washington is one of these doctors. Dr. Leach can diagnose and fix the problem in your neck and very possibly eliminate the headache pain you are experiencing. Once your misalignment is corrected, blood flow and oxygen will be restored to normal, and you should begin to feel much better. Why not make your appointment for an assessment today?

References:

1. Ebersberger A. Pathophysiology of migraine: models to explain the generation of migraine headache. Anaesthesist 2002 Aug; 51 (8): 661-7.
2. Hamel E. Current concepts of migraine pathophysiology. Can J Clin Pharmacol 1999 Autumn; 6 Suppl A; 9A-14A.
3. Elster EL. Upper cervical chiropractic care for a patient with chronic migraine headaches with an appendix summarizing an additional 100 headache cases. J Vert Sublux Res 2003;AUG(3):1-10

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Leach call (425) 673-2190 or just click the button below:

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