Migraine Specialist Near Me

When traditional pain management falls short for migraine and chronic headache sufferers, Atlas Chiropractic of the Greater Boulder area including Erie and Superior becomes a beacon of hope. Dr. Alison’s expertise in the upper cervical spine and nerve anatomy, combined with her ability to connect past physical trauma to ongoing symptoms, provides alternatives beyond prescription treatments and dark, silent rooms. The doctors at Atlas chiropractic are your migraine specialist boulder co.

Headaches, often stemming from spine and tissue damage in the neck area, find resolution at Atlas Chiropractic addressing issues that medications merely mask, utilizing advanced upper cervical chiropractic to treat headahces and migraines.


Our Approach

We are the migraine specialist in Boulder. Understanding the complexity of headaches involves precise diagnoses and consideration of various root causes, from spine traumas to environmental stressors and underlying illnesses. While medications offer temporary relief, they can complicate wellness with their side effects.

For those grappling with chronic migraines, headaches, or trigeminal neuralgia, consulting a neck and headache specialist can expedite the journey to a pain-free, more fulfilling life.

Headaches’ agony can be incapacitating, hindering daily life significantly. Atlas Chiropractic tackles cluster headaches, tension headaches, and migraines, offering invaluable long-term relief and substantial pain reduction!

Relief from headache pain need not be an insurmountable challenge. Lifestyle changes significantly reduce headache pain. We specialize in headaches offer advice on diet, stress management, and calming activities like yoga or meditation to alleviate tension-induced head pain.

Long-lasting headache relief necessitates preventive measures. Regular chiropractic adjustments coupled with lifestyle modifications promote optimal spinal health and reduce stress, key components for successful headache management.


Migraine Systems

Migraines bring with them intense, throbbing, or pulsating pain, typically concentrated on one side of the head or both. However, the experience extends beyond just a severe headache, encompassing a range of common symptoms:

  • Problems with the Senses: Vision disturbances, such as flashing lights or zigzag lines, may accompany migraines. Sensitivity to light, sound, or smells can also be prevalent.
  • Nausea and Vomiting: Migraines often induce feelings of nausea, and some individuals may experience vomiting or stomachaches.
  • Warning Signs (Aura): Before the onset of a migraine, individuals may encounter an “aura.” This could involve seeing nonexistent things, feeling tingling or numbness, or experiencing difficulty in speaking.
  • Fatigue and Irritability: Migraines leave individuals feeling exceptionally tired and easily irritated. Concentration becomes challenging, impacting the ability to perform daily tasks.

These symptoms collectively characterize migraines, a prevalent condition affecting approximately 12% of people globally. The demographic most susceptible to migraines is individuals aged between 15 and 49. Fortunately, migraines tend to become less frequent and severe as individuals age.

The impact of migraines on one’s life can be significant, leading to missed school or work days, reduced productivity, and an overall sense of unwellness. Recognizing and addressing these symptoms is crucial for managing and mitigating the disruptive effects of migraines.


Are Headaches and Migraines Impacting Your Work, Social Life, and Overall Quality of Life?

When you are dealing with constant headaches and migraines, sometimes you are not aware of how they affect your daily living. Most of the time people try to manage headaches on their own. At first, it is just an inconvenience dealing with medication. Usually this starts with taking over the counter medication and taking the time to rest. But over a longer time period, the headaches can become worse and worse and the over the counter medication may not be as effective as it once was.

As the headaches get worse or more frequent, it may become less realistic to just “sleep it off”. This is usually when people seek medical attention. Unfortunately, medical doctors often just give stronger prescription medication which only masks the root cause. This works for a little while, but usually this medication will get to the point where it stops working as well. After months or years of “dealing with it,” most people become desensitized or unaware of how much their work performance, social interactions, and overall quality of life are actually being affected.

According to the American Migraine Foundation, migraines cost American businesses more than $29 billion annually in lost time and productivity. A 2021 Harvard Business Review article estimates that the cost is at least $13 billion.

Chiropractic Care Can Improve Sleep Quality, Which Can Further Reduce Headaches

Most people have never thought about chiropractic care for treating headaches and migraines. Chiropractic care is very effective when it comes to finding the root cause of migraine and headaches, especially a specialty in chiropractic called upper cervical chiropractic. Upper cervical chiropractic involves the upper part of your neck and how the biomechanics of that area influences the central nervous system. Migraines are a condition of your central nervous system, and if the nervous system is not operating properly, you can have all types of symptoms that come along with your headaches. Head pressure, vertigo, brain fog, and even sleep issues. Sound familiar? One of the biggest positive improvements that upper cervical chiropractic patients report after starting care besides reduction of their headaches is an improvement in their sleep. Sleep helps the healing process and that is when your body repairs itself.

What Does an Upper Cervical Appointment Look Like?

The biggest positive feedback that we receive at Atlas Chiropractic is that we listen to our patients. We understand that most of your interactions with healthcare providers is a one-sided conversation and that many people are left frustrated and not heard. We promise that will not be your experience at our office. We pride ourselves in the high-quality care we provide. On your first day, we will take the time to go over your health history together and explain how we can help you. Once we have a detailed history, we will perform an in-depth examination and objective measurement testing. If we see that your nervous system is not functioning properly, we will continue with a series of precise biomechanical x-rays. Our care is tailored to your anatomy and function. One of the ways we have exceptional success with migraine and headaches is because we treat every single person as an individual with unique history and anatomy. Once we have all the information needed to proceed, we will go over the results with you and provide you with your first adjustment.

What is the Adjustment Like?

Most of our patients have never been adjusted before and are a little nervous about getting their neck adjusted. Since we do not twist your head around like you might think, most people find the adjustment less scary than other chiropractic adjustments. The biomechanics of the first two bones move lateral to medial (side to side) in the neck, so the only way to adjust C1 and C2 is from the side of the neck. When you get adjusted in our office, the adjustment is a very quick impulse from the side of your neck. After the adjustment, you will rest in our zero-gravity chairs in what most patients call “the nap room.” This might be the best part of the treatment! When treating migraines and headaches, it is very important to let the adjustment “settle” so we put you in a very relaxed position for at least 20 minutes before letting you leave the office.

Common Concerns of Chiropractic Care for Headaches and Migraines

Will it hurt?

Most people say the adjustment can be uncomfortable for a very brief period of time and then they feel better. The moment of discomfort is worth the long-term relief!

Will it make my headaches worse?

Usually people start to feel better right away, but everyone is different. There are some people that get a few intense headaches in the beginning of care. This period is usually no more than a week and then patients start to feel much better after that initial slump.

Will I have to get adjusted forever?

No. Once you are done with your initial care plan, it is up to you if you want to continue with care. Most people choose to come in a few times a year to make sure everything is functioning properly and maintain their health. It is not our goal to see you 3 times a week for the rest of your life. Our goal is to get you functioning better so that you can live a pain-free life.

If I have had surgery on my neck, can I still get adjusted?

Yes. Since we don’t rotate your head around like a manipulation adjustment, it is safe to get adjusted in our office even if you have had surgery in your neck.

What People are Saying about Atlas Chiropractic

“I met Dr. Alison on a day that I happened to have had a really terrible headache, and I’m so glad I followed up on seeing her! After a couple months of adjustments my headaches are gone. I also appreciate the time in the zero gravity chair each appointment. It’s very nourishing to get to spend 20 minutes just letting my body settle after each adjustment” – AJ

Over the last 15 years we have helped hundreds of people get their life back through upper cervical chiropractic care. Not only do we get great results, but we take the time to listen and really treat every patient the way they should be treated in a healing office. We have over 370 five star reviews from our past and current patients. If you read the reviews, you can see that we have had tremendous success in helping people with debilitating headaches and migraines. Many of those people were very skeptical at first because they thought they had tried everything to get better with little to no success. The biggest difference in our office is that we go after the root cause of your migraines and improve the overall function of your body. We do not give medication or treatments that will simply cover up a symptom.

Why We Are Different

At Atlas Chiropractic, we know not everyone is the same and that individual tailored care is very important when it comes to treating headaches and migraines. We take the time to listen to you and do an in-depth history to make sure that nothing is missed. We use objective measurements pre and post adjustments to track your progress and make any changes when needed. Digital biomechanical x-rays are used to figure out your specific anatomy so we can have a care plan for you to get the best results. Our number one priority is to give you the best care and service possible. We take care of you like we would want someone to take care of one of our loved ones.

There is a lot of research showing the connection of migraine headaches and an upper cervical misalignment.

One of these research articles was published using patients and procedures in the office here at Atlas Chiropractic of Boulder. These are the findings:

A study published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research found that patients who received upper cervical chiropractic care for eight weeks experienced a significant reduction in migraine frequency and intensity compared to a placebo group.

This case report details the medical history and symptoms of a 35-year-old female suffering from headaches for twelve years after a fall on her head; the twelve-month intervention of chiropractic care utilizing an upper cervical technique; and the patient’s symptomatic response. Evidence of an upper cervical subluxation was found using thermographic and radiographic diagnostics


Schedule an Appointment Today

Experience relief from chronic headaches and migraines at Atlas Chiropractic. Our specialized care offers tailored solutions, utilizing expert chiropractic techniques, personalized migraine treatment plans, and holistic approaches for lasting relief.

Dr. Alison and Dr. Lindsey are committed to addressing the root causes of migraines, providing comprehensive care for a pain-free life.

Contact us to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward relief. Conveniently located at the intersection of 23rd Street and Canyon Blvd, Atlas Chiropractic serves Boulder and the surrounding areas, including Erie and Superior.

Reach out today by contacting (303) 442-5911 to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a headache-free life.