Migraines are characterized by various symptoms, including head pain, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, nausea or vomiting, and dizziness. There are numerous types of migraines that can originate from multiple sources, and individuals may experience more than one type. For instance, dietary triggers like chocolate and gluten can cause migraines, while hormonal imbalances during the menstrual cycle or with birth control can also be a trigger. Cervicogenic tension, which causes neck pain, can trigger migraines when the threshold is reached. Hypoxia, a lack of oxygen, can also be a trigger. The mechanism behind migraines involves vasoconstriction, which tries to pump as much blood as possible to the brain. In response, the brain sends a panic response to the vessels, causing them to widen open in an attempt to correct the oxygen deficit. This type of migraine can be managed with high caffeine (a vasoconstrictor) and taurine.

Migraines are often associated with an “aura,” a precursor symptom that signals the onset of a migraine. While the halo visual disturbance commonly thought of as an aura is not always present, it is more common to experience a random and unique aura that varies from person to person. Some examples of aura symptoms include weak neck stabilizers, stiffness, nausea, deafness, ringing in the ears, tingling and numbness in the head, neck, face, or even arms, and even a regular headache that escalates into a migraine.

Upper Cervical Chiropractic in Lousiville CO can help alleviate these symptoms by influencing the neurological input into the brainstem, which is where the vestibulocochlear nerve originates.