Understanding Migraine Triggers in Honolulu

What Triggers Migraines?

For the 38 million people across the United States that suffer from migraines, figuring out what triggers them is important.  Common triggers are often thought to be red wine, cheeses, coffee, and chocolate.  Migraine sufferers are encouraged to keep a diary that records their daily food intake, as well as other possible factors such as stress levels, weather conditions, and others.

A new report detailing a recent study conducted by the National Headache Foundation of 150 migraine sufferers indicates that these commonly referenced triggers may not be to blame in many cases.  Caffeine, present in both chocolate and coffee, caused attacks in only 3 people in the study, but it actually prevented migraines in 32.  In fact, onions, which are not often thought of to be a trigger brought about a migraine in 14 people in the study.

The Nervous System and Migraines

It is still not completely understood why certain foods trigger migraines or why they can act as a trigger in some but protect others.  The connection may actually lie within the nervous system and the way your nerves are able to communicate effective messages travelling to and from the brain.  At Upper Cervical Hawaii, this is something we see all the time in our patients who have found us because they were suffering from migraines.

In my practice, I am looking for a specific misalignment of the uppermost vertebra in the neck, the atlas.  When the atlas is misaligned, undue pressure is placed on the brainstem and spinal cord.  This can distort the messages that travel between the brain and body, reduce the body’s ability to function normally, and can contribute to the onset of migraines.  By realigning the atlas, the pressure in the spinal cord and brainstem is reduced.  This allows for normal nerve messages to travel between the brain and body via the brainstem, and can contribute to the reduction of migraine symptoms.  All of this is accomplished with a gentle adjustment and without the need for medications or more invasive relief options.

References:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3419125/What-triggers-migraines-Common-culprits-like-coffee-chocolate-cheese-NOT-blame-actually-prevent-attacks.html

About the Author

Dr. Joe Breuwet

Upper Cervical Hawaii, LLC

Dr. Breuwet is a graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic and has studied and practiced the National Upper Cervical Care Association (NUCCA) technique for the past 17 years. After spending 10 years in the hotel industry as a General Manager, I decided to follow my passion and enter into the natural health care field. During my first few months at Palmer College, I quickly came to the realization that there are many different types of Chiropractic. I decided to learn and practice the most precise and specific form of Chiropractic, NUCCA.