At times, it may seem like society does not understand that migraines are more than “just a really bad headache.” They can be debilitating and impact every aspect of a person’s life. While there are various factors that can contribute to migraines, many women find themselves at a crossroads because the intricate connection between their hormones and their migraines is so deep. Despite the connection being physiologically fascinating, it makes battling the migraines difficult. As time goes by and people try various avenues of care like intense pain medications and botox, oftentimes those who suffer from migraines yearn for something more natural. One form of care that is becoming more and more popular is chiropractic care and upper cervical chiropractic care to be exact. At Atlas Chiropractic of Boulder, our board-certified Boulder chiropractors have been considered a migraine relief clinic and seek to help those who battle with migraines on a daily basis.

The Hormone-Migraine Connection

Perhaps one of the most powerful physiological factors in the body is hormones. They play a major role in regulating various bodily functions. When hormones fluctuate, they can trigger or exacerbate migraines in women. One of the key hormones in this hormone-physiology dynamic is estrogen, which is a hormone that fluctuates many times throughout a woman’s life. When a woman’s menstrual cycle is approaching, there is a dramatic drop in estrogen and this is the reason why they become more prone to migraines. Such a dramatic drop of a major hormone in the body is normal, but still, a huge shock, and sometimes the body struggles to adapt. Nevertheless, menstrual migraines are something that many women experience and oftentimes society turns a blind eye to them. But, they are not something that women should have to deal with and they are not ‘normal.’ Women deserve to be heard and to receive care and our Boulder chiropractors can be that person for them. 

Aside from the menstrual period, there are major hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause as well. Despite the rapid increase of hormones that pregnancy brings, this usually aids in providing relief from migraines because these female sex hormones remain more stable. However, the hormone fluctuations that occur postpartum can trigger migraines in women. This is because after childbirth there is a rapid decrease in the hormones that increased during pregnancy called estrogen and progesterone. Such a major change is a big shock to the body, and as previously stated, this can be troublesome and cause problems to occur. Perimenopause and menopause can also lead to migraines and this is, yet again, due to the big hormonal changes that are happening. When the estrogen drops, the body tends to struggle more. So, when the hormone levels are gradually dropping as a woman reaches menopause, experiences like migraines can occur. 

Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

Now, you may be thinking…what can I do? One avenue of care that can be followed is chiropractic care. At Atlas Chiropractic of Boulder, we offer a special form of chiropractic care known as the upper cervical technique. You may be thinking, “What is upper cervical care?” This is a common question that we get because it is a specialty that many are unaware of. As upper cervical chiropractors, we only adjust the first vertebra (bone) in the spine known as C1 or the Atlas. At times, we do adjust the second vertebra which is known as C2 or the axis.

Our Boulder chiropractors understand the connection between the upper neck and the effects that misalignments in that region can have on the body. There is a major relationship between the upper neck and the central nervous system (which is pretty much the motherboard of the body), so when there is interference with the nerve signals that take place up there, problems are bound to occur. And migraines are one of the problems. By ensuring proper alignment, upper cervical chiropractic care can have a positive impact on the nervous system’s ability to regulate bodily functions, including those related to migraines.

 Atlas Chiropractic of Boulder

Atlas Chiropractic of Boulder, led by experienced Boulder chiropractors, adopts a patient-centered approach to upper cervical chiropractic care. The doctors at Atlas Chiropractic of Boulder provide personalized care to their patients by taking X-rays in order to analyze their anatomy and be as specific as possible in their care. At each appointment, the chiropractors assess the nervous system using a thermographic, or heat technology in order to determine if the body is in need of an adjustment. We strive to be as specific as possible and to be sure to give the body what it needs when it needs it.

2 Benefits of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

  1. Addressing the Root Cause: Upper cervical chiropractic care seeks to discover the root cause of health issues. This means that they do not stop at pain relief, but they put effort into preventing the problem from re-occurring. 
  2. Reduced Frequency and Severity: Through upper cervical care and restoring proper nervous system function, these corrections may lead to a reduction in the frequency and severity of migraines. This allows individuals to have more control over their lives.

Come seek help

Women’s health is something that is oftentimes given less attention than it should. The female reproductive system is complex and requires a multi-faceted approach. Women experience hormone fluctuations throughout their entire lives, and these fluctuations can cause problems to arise including but not limited to migraines. At Atlas Chiropractic of Boulder, our team of chiropractors aims to let women be heard, understood and cared for. We want to offer them a journey to wellness by providing precise and specific chiropractic care. Call us today at (303) 442-5911 and come in for a consultation to see how we can help you! We will overcome this together.