Anatomy of a Headache

Most people who suffer from headaches and migraines are focused on one thing - Make the pain go away! Common solutions include pain relievers, both over the counter and prescription, cold packs, heat packs, muscle relaxants, herbal remedies, silence, sleep aids, dark rooms, trigger point injections, botox, meditation, and stress reduction, just to name a few.

For some lucky people, these can help relieve symptoms. But they are a band-aid. And band-aids don’t fix the things causing the problem.

We help people with migraines and headaches break the cycle of pain so they can enjoy life again. We do this by getting to the source of the problem. Our most frequent conversations with new clients looking for help with migraines and headaches involve what might actually be going on to cause the excess tension and strain that leads to a migraine.

Often people have been told the problem is in their neck, and you may have been told the same thing. You may have even tried chiropractic adjustments or massage to ease the tension only to find it does not last.

It is because the cause of the problem is rarely limited to the head or neck.

Consider for a moment the anatomy of the body. What is causing the problem in the neck, that is in turn leading to the migraine and headache?

Treating a migraine or headache without looking at (and addressing) how the entirety of the body is moving and functioning in relation to itself will never do more than temporarily relieve symptoms.

The base of the head sits on the neck.

The neck is just a portion of the spine. The whole spine needs looked at for issues.

The foundation (or base) of the spine is the sacrum.

The sacrum is a part of the pelvic structure.

Tensions in the body affect how the pelvis is aligned (or misaligned).

Pelvic alignment affects the base of the spine (sacrum).

When the base of the spine is shifted, twisted, or rotated, this is reflected through the entirety of the spine, often creating a combination of scoliosis, rotoscoliosis, and twist in one or more vertebrae.

A twist in the spine creates excess tension in the muscles and tissues holding the head on the neck.

Excess tension = migraines and headaches

This is a simplified version of what we see in 99% of those who come to us for help resolving migraines and headaches. Often shoulders, arms, legs, knees, and feet are also troubled.

Resolving the tensions, twists, and restrictions in the tissues of the body that are holding bones in misalignment is not difficult when approached in the way such that your body can allow change You can read more in “Anatomy of a Headache, Part 2” (<link here>) It isn’t difficult, but it will take time and it will require addressing ALL of the troubled areas, not just your head, and not just your neck.

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