Understanding Headache Pain & Migraine Pain
In my practice I see people in pain on a daily basis. Some walk-in with ice packs, walkers, back braces, wheelchairs, and etc. But as far as severity, no pain comes close to a full blown migraine headache.
Such patients walk into my practice usually very medicated, with dark sunglasses on (due to photophobia), a bucket or a bag for vomiting, and almost always accompanied by a friend or a spouse. This is a snapshot of a migraine headache patient.
“…over 90% of our migraine patients feel immediate relief after their first visit…” – Dr. Sam Nijmeh
The good news is that over 90% of our migraine patients feel immediate relief after their first visit. It usually takes us less than 10 minutes to clear over 60-70% of the headache.
It may be hard to believe, yet let me make it more interesting. Almost all of these patients become migraine-free when they go through the corrective treatment.
Corrective Treatment For Migraine Headaches and Why It Works
In 1988… I was studying neurophysiology at Palmer-West Chiropractic College with another Chiropractic colleague/researcher. Specifically, we were doing research on migraine headaches, and ultimately learned about a pure anatomical relationship. We realized that there was a clear connection between the C1 and C2 cervical nerves and a certain nerve bundle in the brain that are linked to migraine headaches.
My interest peaked and I continued to enrich my spinal adjustment techniques using different methods that improved upper cervical correction. The breakthrough happened when I met a well known Sacro-Occipital Technique teacher named Dr. Roy Skidmore (who subsequently passed away in September of 2001). It was through merging the Palmer Diversified Technique and the Sacro-Occipital Technique that our clinic has been able to produce amazing results with different types of headaches including migraine.
A Typical Headache Examination Consists Of…
- Full evaluation history of the patient
- History of previous spinal traumas
- Hereditary issues
- Evaluation of the patient’s work and home ergonomics
- Full spinal evaluation of the patient
- A dietary analysis of the patient
- Computer scan of the spinal nerves
- Thermography analysis of the spinal muscles
- Complete x-ray evaluation of the patient’s cervical spine
After the evaluation is completed, the patient is set for the “report of finding” visit, which takes about 45 minutes and introduces him/her to the adjustment plan and lifestyle changes required for maximum improvement.
Time wise, an average migraine adjustment visit is at least twice as long as other appointments at our office. These treatments are usually formulated and tailored specifically to the needs of the patients according to their spinal problems.
Results vary, but the majority of migraine patients feel significant improvements in about 4-6 weeks, and begin to see a decrease in the frequency and intensity of the headaches.
There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a patient free from the bondage of migraine headaches. The experience is usually emotionally overwhelming and causes other members of the family and friends to become chiropractic patients as well.
I look forward to helping you get relief from your headache pain or migraine pain.
Dr. Sam Nijmeh D.C.