Headaches & Nerve Pain
Migraine
A neurological headache disorder that is medically managed, with neck findings sometimes present alongside.
Migraine is a medical condition with its own diagnostic criteria, and it is managed medically. Chiropractic care is not a treatment for migraine, and no claim is made that it can prevent or resolve migraine attacks.
What can be evaluated is whether neck-related findings are present and appear to be contributing to the overall picture, since neck symptoms and migraine attacks often occur in the same person.
Why this matters
Many people with migraine also have neck complaints, and those are worth evaluating in their own right, separately from migraine management with a medical provider.
Understanding what role, if any, the neck plays in a given person's pattern can help clarify what to expect from any additional care alongside ongoing medical treatment.
The brain & nervous-system connection
Where the nervous system fits in
Upper neck sensory input converges with pathways carrying head and face sensation at the level of the brainstem, which is one reason neck symptoms and migraine so often occur together.
An evaluation in this context looks at neck joint and muscle function and general nervous system indicators, without suggesting this addresses the underlying migraine disorder itself.
What we look at
We look for patterns, not a single test
- Detailed health history and consultation
- NeuroInfiniti Stress Response Evaluation
- Posture and movement
- Balance and coordination testing
- Eye movement or neurological screening when appropriate
- Grip or motor-function testing when appropriate
- Palpation and spinal function
- Other examination procedures based on the individual
Not every person receives every test. What we perform depends on your history, your age and what the examination shows as we go.
Scope of care
What this does — and doesn't — mean
What we do
- • We evaluate chiropractic and musculoskeletal function.
- • We look at nervous-system-related functional findings that fall within our scope.
- • We assess movement, balance and coordination findings.
- • We measure stress-response patterns with the NeuroInfiniti evaluation.
- • We make individualized chiropractic care recommendations and re-measure over time.
What we don't claim
- • We do not diagnose, treat or cure diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a treatment for dementia, Alzheimer's disease or other neurological diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a replacement for medical care, testing or medication.
- • No outcome is promised. Results vary from person to person.
This is a concern where medical evaluation, imaging or co-management may be the right first step. Dr. Mike Geran will say so plainly if that is what the history and examination suggest.
Common questions
- Will I be adjusted on the first visit?
- Generally no. The first visit is an evaluation visit. Dr. Geran reviews the findings and makes recommendations at the follow-up visit.
- Do I need imaging before I come in?
- Not usually. If your history or examination suggests imaging is needed, we will say so and help arrange the right next step.
When medical evaluation may be needed
Migraine should be managed with your medical provider. A sudden severe headache unlike any before, or headache with fever, vision loss, weakness or confusion, requires emergency care.
Related at Foothills Chiropractic
- Headaches — Headaches have many drivers. Understanding which ones apply to you is the point of the evaluation.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome — Hand numbness and tingling associated with the median nerve at the wrist.
- Cervical Radiculopathy — Arm symptoms that follow a nerve root pattern from the neck.
- Cervicogenic Headache — Headache arising from structures in the neck.
Think Foothills Chiropractic might be right for you?
Start Here walks you through what the process looks like, so you can decide whether taking the next step makes sense for you.