Migraines Accompanied by Dizziness – A Difficult Combination

Migraines often bring about throbbing and pounding head pain. If accompanied by dizziness and a feeling as if one may fall, it is called migraine associated vertigo or MAV. Out of all migraine sufferers, 40 percent have a feeling of loss of balance or dizziness during at least one attack. Women between the ages of 20 to 40 are affected far more often than men. MAV is linked to the following symptoms:

• Anxiety
• Sensitivity to light
• Spontaneous vertigo attacks
• Sensitivity to sound
• Inability to focus
• Intolerance to movement

Most family physicians will recommend NSAIDs and/or prescription medications to relieve the pain and dizziness. While this works on a temporary basis during an attack, long-term help comes from addressing the root cause of the problem.

Migraine Relief Through Proper Spinal Alignment

Migraines and vertigo have both been seen to originate due to a misalignment in one of the top bones of the spine – the atlas or axis vertebra. The spine has the important job of protecting the delicate spinal cord. The spinal cord is responsible for carrying vital signals to and from the brain and body via the brainstem. The atlas bone houses the brainstem and keeps it from damage. However, if the atlas or axis move out of place due to an accident or injury, they can place undue pressure on the brain stem, causing it to send improper signals. This can lead to vertigo and other migraine symptoms.

A 23-year-old female visited an upper cervical chiropractor with complaints of vertigo. She had endured a concussion 5 months previously and had been suffering ever since. She received a specific atlas adjustment and noticed that her vertigo had gone away. She continued to receive care for 2 months and reported never having another case of vertigo after that first adjustment.

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Here at Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Georgia, we offer our patients a gentle method to help correct any misalignments in the upper cervical spine. This method does not require us to pop or crack the spine. Rather we encourage the bones to move back into place naturally. This often leads to a decrease in severity and frequency of MAV, or it may go away and not return, as in the case mentioned above.

Dr Nick Tedder is located in Dacula GA and services the communities of Atlanta, Auburn, Austell, Braselton, Buford, Cumming, Dacula, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Flowery branch, Gainesville, Grayson, Hoschton, Hamilton Mill, Johns Creek, Lanier Islands, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Norcross, Suwanee, and Winder