At Atlas Chiropractic of Boulder, we specialize in treating all different types of headaches and migraines. When choosing what kind of chiropractor to work with, you should know what kind of disorders they have success with. Within chiropractic, there are many specialties and specialists. Just like any other health condition, you want to know that the doctor you are seeing has helped other people just like you. Not every chiropractor is an expert in every symptom.

Did you know that more people complain about headaches than any other medical condition? There are nearly 45 million Americans suffering from headaches each year. There are many different types of headaches and your doctor should be aware of all of them to know what treatment protocol is most appropriate.

Specific Types of Headaches

Tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches stem from the neck. The name cervicogenic literally means originating from the neck. When dealing with these types of headaches you need to make sure you are going to a doctor that specializes in the movement and mechanics of the neck. At Atlas Chiropractic of Boulder, we do just that! When a patient comes in with a tension headache or cervicogenic headache, we know exactly what to do.

Tension Headaches

These headaches are described as dull and achy. A tension headache is a feeling of tightness or pressure felt along the temple and side of the head. These often stem from tight muscles at the base of the neck or upper shoulder muscles.

Cervicogenic Headache

These headaches usually originate from the neck and radiate up towards the head. They are usually on one side of the head and are accompanied by a limited range of neck motion. They can be extremely painful and exhausting.

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches are very intense and come in groups lasting 1-3 hours. The frequency can be once a day up to multiple times a day. They are less common but just as painful.

Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches are much more than a bad headache. They can cause debilitating pain and can last for hours. Sensitivity to light and sound can be other symptoms that come along with a migraine. Some people have an “aura” before their headache begins. It is estimated that 12 percent of Americans suffer from Migraine headaches every year.

Migraine headaches are an issue with the central nervous system and not so much the musculoskeletal system. It’s important that your chiropractor understands this in order to treat you properly. Neurochemical and blood flow issues are to be thought of as the root cause of migraines. Unfortunately, most people are only given the choice of drugs or invasive surgeries to manage these debilitating headaches, but there is another safer, more effective way.

Our Process

First a detailed history is taken to make sure we get a clear picture of what is happening with your health. After a detailed history, very specific exams are performed on the neck and range of motion is documented. Infrared thermography scans are taken to get a better understanding of how your nervous system is functioning and how this is related to your headaches. Finally, motion digital x-rays are taken to see the alignment and movement of the cervical spine.

Once we have a full picture of what’s going on with your health, we can put together a tailored care plan specifically to get rid of the headaches. Every office visit, we check the function and mobility of the neck. If the alignment is off, we perform a specific adjustment to restore function and keep the spine moving properly and alleviate the symptoms.

Checking the function of the nervous system is key in managing migraines. Taking medication only covers up the symptoms. To check the function of the nervous system, the provider needs to have an objective instrument. At Atlas Chiropractic, we use infrared thermography. This is a scan on the back of your neck that checks the temperature difference from side to side of the paraspinal muscles. If the blood flow is asymmetrical, that is an indication of an improperly functioning nervous system function. Biomechanical x-rays are also used to determine the alignment and function of the upper neck. These joints in the upper neck have a huge influence on how blood flow and nerve information is sent to the brain.

At Atlas Chiropractic, we have been helping people with headaches and migraines for over 15 years. The secret to our success is the specific type of technique that we use to treat and create tailored care plans for each individual. The specific technique we use is called upper cervical chiropractic. Your cervical bones are your neck bones. The very top two in your neck are C1 and C2, also called your Atlas and Axis. These joints are key in the alignment of your entire spine and the communication of the nerves to and from your brain. Most people that are suffering from headaches and migraines have never had this area properly examined before. Unfortunately, most people think that drugs and surgery are their only option. The truth is that those are only interventions that are temporary or should be considered last ditch “hail mary” options. If you want to get to the root cause of your headaches and truly correct the problem, you must get the function of your nervous system and upper cervical spine checked out by a specialist.

Our process is safe, non-invasive, and a long lasting solution to your headaches and migraines. We have helped so many people get their lives back and not have to worry about when their next headache will come! Just check out our 5 star google reviews– we have over 350!

If you have been dealing with headaches or migraines and are ready to get them under control, please call our office to speak directly with one of our doctors. We offer complimentary consultations over the phone or in person to make sure you are a good candidate for care. During your consultation, you can ask the doctor any questions that you have about care in the office or how the treatment will help you with your headaches. There is no reason that you need to suffer another day! Give the office a call at 303-442-5911 or simply fill out the webform. We look forward to talking with you and helping you find a long lasting solution to your headaches.