Not just Headaches

When many people who do not suffer from migraines think of migraines, they often think of headaches, but headaches are only one symptom. Another symptom, which we will explore in this blog, is nausea. And that nausea could become so severe that it could cause a person who suffers from this neurological condition to vomit.

So, now the question is what are migraines and why is nausea a symptom? Though, we understand that understanding why nausea is a symptom is not as important as know what you can do about this debilitating pain that seemingly takes over your life when it strikes.

Well, no one is quite sure what causes this neurological condition, and many believe it may be the result of more than one reason. Research suggests it could either be due to an accident, genetics, certain activities, one's environment, chemicals release in the brain during a migraine attack, or dietary habits.

Solutions for Migraine Sufferers

It is not uncommon for a doctor to prescribe an antidepressant, beta blocker, or even an anti-seizure medication to those who suffer from this neurological condition. The purpose of prescribing any of these is to lessen the symptoms and thus reduce the suffering of migraine sufferers, but all of these have side effects.

Though, people who do not want to put foreign substances into their body do have another choice. The first thing they can do is to keep a food journal to help them determine what might cause these attacks. Though, as we said, those attacks may or may not be because of one's diet or allergies, so a food journal will not necessarily help a person get to the source of their pain.

Migraines and Your Upper Cervical Spine

Though, what will help a person discover the source of their pain is an examination by an upper cervical chiropractor. They will examine the top two vertebrae in a person's neck to see if there are any misalignments that may be the underlying cause of a person's migraine pain.

When those two vertebrae are out of alignment by just ¼ of a millimeter, it effects the brain's ability to communicate with the body via the brainstem. This often leads to various complications throughout the body including migraine attacks.

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Spinato call (858) 484-0444 or just click the button below.

Paying Attention to Posture

Most people don't pay attention to their posture, especially when they're sitting, but good posture is important to the functioning of a person's lungs. If a person sits or stands with poor posture, it will hinder their ability to expand properly and can lead to all sorts of health complications.

What's worse than poor posture is being so used to is that it begins to feel normal and your ignore the warning signs. This can cause your habits of sitting or standing with poor posture to regress into a cycle that causes muscle tension that leads to increased slouching and slumping. And when poor posture becomes normal, it becomes even harder to correct.

Computer Jobs and Posture

Of course, those people who are at the highest risk of suffering from various health related issues because of poor posture are those who sit in front of a computer all day. Those people take the chances of suffering from musculoskeletal disorders in their neck and shoulders, as well as various other health related conditions.

For those people with jobs that require them to sit at a desk in front of a computer all day, it is important that they pay attention to their posture. Neglecting their spine can lead to the deformation of their cervical and thoracic spine, which are the upper and mid parts of their spine.

Another common cause of neck pain is sitting or standing with forward head and shoulder posture. This is sitting or standing with the neck slanted forward, which causes the head to be in front of the shoulders. The problem with that is that the head is designed to sit on top of the head evenly. Sitting or standing in this position can decrease the shoulder blades' stability, alter the upper extremities mobility, increase the curvature of the lumbar spine, cause the hips and stomach to tilt forward, and more.

Improving Posture

Now that you know how important your posture is to the health of your neck, we're sure you want to do whatever you can to ensure you maintain good posture. Your spine isn't designed to sustain heavy weight for long periods of time, so putting undue stress on it will only lead to neck pain later on.

Though, you can avoid the chances of neck pain by using ergonomic office chairs, lumbar support, and any other safety equipment available to you. You will also want to stand up and walk around every 15 minutes or so, as well as you will want to stretch.

Though, the most important thing you can do for the health of your neck is to seek out the care of an upper cervical chiropractor. They will examine your upper cervical spine, which are the top two vertebrae in your spine, for any misalignments that may be the underlying cause of your neck pain and many other conditions you might suffer from.

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Spinato call (858) 484-0444 or just click the button below.

Most of the time, we hear about people having arthritis in their hands, joints, or knees. Would you be surprised to learn that arthritis can be in the spine? It is known by various names, such as subluxation degeneration, degenerative joint disease, and disc disease. It is a fairly common occurrence. But, you may wonder, what causes it?

Let’s keep in mind that we are talking about degeneration. This is defined as deteriorating, or breaking down, over a period of time. When we are talking about subluxation degeneration, the beginning phase of this can take up to 20 years to progress. When the spine experiences trauma, such as whiplash or a car accident, the body reacts by trying to stabilize the joint. It does this by fusing together the bones that make up the joint that has been damaged. Calcium is brought to the area where there is inflammation. It is the calcium that causes the fusing as the deposits build up. This causes abnormal bone growth. This can take a toll on your health.

Can I Prevent Arthritis in the Spine?

The answer is yes! If you can maintain movement in your joints, by not allowing them to fuse, and proper joint alignment, it is possible you may not experience the pain of arthritis.

How does trauma to your spine occur? It actually can happen while being born, when you are a toddler and have instances of falling while learning to walk, and it continues throughout your teen years on up to adulthood. It can actually take up to 40 or more years for degeneration set in. Imagine if you fell out of bed at age two. You have been living a long time with a misalignment! It is important to get an upper cervical chiropractor involved in your care, such as Dr. Dan Spinato of Rancho Penasquitos, California. Upper cervical chiropractors are specially trained to detect any type of misalignment or defect in the spine. If it is found early enough, there is a good chance that you will be able to get the problem corrected and be protected against any further deterioration.

Dr. Spinato can help you to improve your joint function, movement, and alignment. He can also help you find the right exercises to for your spine to keep your condition from progressing and to help relieve the pain you are experiencing. Why not give him a call today?

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Spinato call (858) 484-0444 or just click the button below.

Migraines have a devastating effect on those who suffer from their effects. Worldwide as much as 46% of the population has an active headache issue, and an estimated 10% of the American population has this condition.1 Migraines are more prevalent among women than they are men.

The ways migraines are currently managed is largely ineffective as migraines are unique from one person to the next. They are a difficult condition to properly diagnose and even more of a challenge to treat for all healthcare providers. It is well known that things like red wine, caffeine, and chocolate may trigger migraine episodes, but there are few ways known how to make them better that do not involve the use of powerful drugs.

More and more people are looking for ways to get natural migraine relief. Migraines typically cause pain so intense and debilitating that it makes many sufferers retreat to a dark and quiet place to rest. New research is showing that the exact opposite approach may be much more effective: exercise. By engaging in moderate exercise, the body will release endorphins (aka feel-good hormones) and can even block the sensation of pain. One German study found that exercise was 65% effective in headache patients, making it a better solution than most headache medications available.2 Exercise is showing itself to be a great way to relieve the pain but still does not get to the actual cause of migraines.

 Migraine specialist Dr. Dan Spinato has been helping his patients to achieve natural relief from migraines and to get to the root cause of migraines in San Diego, California. Dr. Spinato is an upper cervical chiropractor who specializes in balancing the nervous system by focusing on the Atlas bone (C1 vertebra). This bone plays an important role in the how the body functions as it houses the brainstem where the brain turns into the spinal cord, thus forming the central nervous system.

When the Atlas is misaligned from its normal position, often headaches are a late stage symptom. In a scientific review of 100 patients with migraines that had Atlas misalignments, all patients improved with as little as 1-2 upper cervical chiropractic adjustments.3 Many patients went months before having another headache as the body began to heal properly and the correct spinal alignment was maintained.

References:

1. Stovner LJ, Hagen K, Jensen R, Katsarva Z, Lipton R, Scher A, Steiner T, Zwart JA. The global burden of headache: a documentation of headache prevalence and disability worldwide. Cephalgia 2007;27(3):193-210
2. Eaves A. Cure Your Headache with This Simple Exercise Routine. http://www.menshealth.com/health/exercise-cures-migraines (accessed 6 November 2015).
3. Elster EL. Upper cervical chiropractic care for a patient with chronic migraine headaches with an appendix summarizing an additional 100 headache cases. J Vert Sublux Res 2003;AUG(3):1-10

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Spinato call (858) 484-0444 or just click the button below.

There is no denying neck pain. It makes even the simplest of tasks difficult from moving your head to backing the car out of the driveway, or even breathing. According to the National Centers for Health Statistics, 15% of Americans experience neck pain at some point. Some people even suffer from chronic neck pain which has been going on for several years.

Neck pain is so common, and we have all had it at some point, so there has to be a quick fix for it right? Unfortunately, there isn’t. The neck is a very complicated region of the body composed of muscles, bones, nerves, arteries/veins, and much more, so it must be treated carefully. Conventional treatments include physical therapy, massage, and pain medications; but most people are looking for natural options in this day and age.

Natural remedies are growing in popularity, and many people swear by them. Here is a short list of a few options that can be done right at home to alleviate some of that pain.

• Arnica: This flower is a natural pain reliever and can be bought in oil and cream form.
• Ginger: Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and can be consumed as the root, juice, or extract.
• Menthol and Camphor: You can apply these directly to the area in pain, and it can increase the circulation to the area which helps in reducing pain and swelling.
• Lavender: Lavender has been used for centuries for its medicinal qualities and helps in pain reduction.

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and chronic neck pain download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below:

These natural approaches to treating neck pain may help the effects, but it will not correct the underlying cause. Neck Pain specialist Dr. Dan Spinato helps provide relief to patients by finding the root problem. Dr. Spinato is an upper cervical chiropractor specializing in the spine and nervous system by focusing on the atlas vertebra. This bone is at the top of the neck and under the skull and is crucial to maintaining the health of the neck. When the Atlas becomes misaligned from its normal position it affects the entire spine, causes muscles to become tighter, and pain is a result.

By using an exacting technique and process of correcting the atlas bone, Dr. Spinato is able to correct the root cause of neck pain and get people back to enjoying life.

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Spinato call (858) 484-0444 or just click the button below.

Statistically at least one out of ten people reading this article suffers with migraine headaches. As much as 12% of the American population has migraines on a regular basis.1 If you are a woman, you are 3x as likely to have a migraine and 30% of women have migraines in their lifetime. Migraines are a serious issue that affects many people from leading normal healthy lives.

Now you would think that such a serious health condition would be easily treated and curable, sadly that is not the case. Migraines are as unique as the individuals who have them and that makes it very challenging for both patients and healthcare providers. Migraines involve many factors including; the brain and nervous system, blood flow, muscles of the head and neck and many more. Treatment options can be boiled down into pharmacological interventions and therapeutic methods to treat the effects of the migraines.

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and migraines download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below:

As a migraine specialist I take a much different route to offering people hope for their debilitating condition. Many patients end up seeing me because they want a natural option for migraine relief. I am an upper cervical chiropractor that specializes in the alignment of the head and neck. The reason that is so important is because the first bone in the neck, known as the atlas, is very susceptible to misalignment. When the atlas is misaligned it has a global effect on the brain, nerves and nervous system, biomechanics, muscles and even blood flow. Any one of these are known to cause migraines.

By carefully examining each patient to precisely locate their misalignment I customize an adjustment to correct the misalignment unique to each person. Large studies done on migraine patients utilizing upper cervical chiropractic have shown relief in as little as one or two adjustments.2 It can be quite common that after correcting the underlying misalignment for a long enough period of time that headaches are resolved.

1. Migraine Research Foundation. About Migraines. http://www.migraineresearchfoundation.org/about-migraine.html (accessed 5 February 2016).
2. Elster EL. Upper cervical chiropractic care for a patient with chronic migraine headaches with an appendix summarizing an additional 100 headache cases. J Vert Sublux Res 2003;AUG(3):1-10

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Spinato call (858) 484-0444 or just click the button below.

Another Athlete Struggling with Migraines

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton has been dealing with chronic migraines for several years now. In August 2013 Hamilton left the ballpark and returned to his hotel to take nausea medication and sleep. Hamilton said he gets about three migraines a year, but not usually with nausea.

Hamilton said “It's a tremendous migraine, that's the reason I didn't play today.”

Josh Hamilton like so many other athletes struggle with migraines. Collisions in sports have been linked to migraines in a number of research studies.

Post Traumatic Migraine

Post-traumatic headaches are common, especially following a concussion. Some patients develop a chronic headache after a seemingly minor blow to the head with a basketball or volleyball. Such headaches may present as migraine, tension type headache, or daily headache with varying degrees of symptoms.

Williams and Nukada reviewed 29 subjects with post-traumatic headache as a result of head trauma in a contact sport. The trauma was usually minor. Associated symptoms included stiff neck, confusion, and loss of concentration. Some subjects were unable to continue the sport or exercise because of severe headache. The post-traumatic headache was often associated with concussion.  A post-concussion headache has been reported in as many as 90% and 25% of those people still have headaches 4 years later.

For athletes who are suffering with migraine headaches, the likelihood that trauma created the underlying situation for the migraine to develop is very high.  Head and neck traumas that are common in contact sports, frequently cause a tearing loose of the connective tissue that holds the spine in place. This allows the spine to breakdown and lock into a stressed position. This breakdown, frequently begins in the upper neck.

A misalignment of the top 2 bones in the neck causes the shifting of the weight of the head and brain stem pressure to occur leading to dramatic changes in posture, cerebral spinal fluid flow, blood and nerve flow. This misalignment can be corrected safely, gently and effectively with the NUCCA procedure.

To schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click here.

Want to hear from real people like you? Check out our reviews here.

Dr. Dan Spinato of the San Diego Integrative Spine Center in San Diego, California is a Rancho Penasquitos Chiropractor and an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). Over the past 30 years, Dr. Spinato has helped many people find natural relief in San Diego, California. His upper cervical clinic also serves the communities of Rancho Penasquitos, Carmel Valley, Poway, Scripps Ranch and Rancho Bernardo. He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraine headaches, chronic neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, allergy and sinus problems and temporomandibular joint disorders. More information can be found on his website at http://www.powaychiropractor.net/

Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is a terrible thing to have to live with. People never realize how much their shoulders play a role in everyday living until it starts to hurt. Shoulder pain can be caused by many things but the most common causes are overuse or doing activities that are not usually done.

Some individuals when suffering from shoulder pain will go to a medical doctor. Frequently the result of that visit will be sending you home with some sort of over-the-counter or prescription pain or anti-inflammatory medication. Often the pills will help with the pain, but they won’t fix the root of the pain.

An underlying cause of shoulder problems can be related to posture and poor body mechanics as a result of misalignments in the spinal column. If the position of the head is altered as a result of accidents or injuries, the shoulders will frequently be tilted. Sometimes you can see this postural change in the mirror where one shoulder is lower than the other. This postural imbalance can lead to overuse or straining of the shoulder with unusual activity.

Upper Cervical Chiropractic

Going to an upper cervical chiropractic clinic is an excellent way to seek the underlying cause of your shoulder problems. An upper cervical chiropractor will look for postural imbalances that may be leading to your shoulder dysfunction. Misalignments in the spine can also lead to nerve irritation and nerve related numbness, tingling and pain in the shoulder and arm.

An upper cervical chiropractor is able to correct these underlying postural imbalances without any of the popping, cracking or twisting of the spine common with general chiropractic manipulation. Because the upper cervical approach is non-traumatic to your spine, it leads to maximum recovery for misaligned joints and structures.

Upper Cervical Chiropractors also have a large knowledge of exercises that can help to strengthen the muscles that will support the alignment and help keep it in place. There are many individuals that have felt instantly better after going to an upper cervical chiropractor.

Shoulders are used every day and when they hurt it certainly will get our attention. Injuries rarely happen at a convenient time, but it is important that we respect pain signals. To see the underlying cause, rather than just covering up the symptoms will lead to less problems down the road.

To schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click here.

Want to hear from real people like you? Check out our reviews here.

Dr. Dan Spinato of the San Diego Integrative Spine Center in San Diego, California is a Rancho Penasquitos Chiropractor and an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). Over the past 30 years, Dr. Spinato has helped many people find natural relief in San Diego, California. His upper cervical clinic also serves the communities of Rancho Penasquitos, Carmel Valley, Poway, Scripps Ranch and Rancho Bernardo. He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraine headaches, chronic neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, allergy and sinus problems and temporomandibular joint disorders. More information can be found on his website at http://www.powaychiropractor.net/

Medical Experts say Drug Over-Treatment is Common

On June 27^th Austin Frackt, assistant professor at Boston University's School of Public Health reporting for the Kansas Health Institute said “that there is a lot of over-treatment in U.S. medicine: the use of medications and procedures that deliver little or no benefit, increase the cost of care, and expose patients to unnecessary harm from side effects.”

He goes on to say “A case in point is the use of proton pump inhibitor medications (PPIs, familiar brand names include Prilosec and Prevacid) for the treatment of supposed gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in infants. GERD is a severe problem in which the esophagus is eroded by regurgitated stomach acid. PPIs have been shown to be an effective treatment for this condition.”

However, the GERD diagnosis has increasingly been applied to infants who do not have the specific physiological symptoms of GERD, but who spit up and cry frequently and are hard to soothe. These latter infants are now frequently treated with PPIs. As Eric Hassall explains in the Journal of Pediatrics,

“in the 6 years from 1999 to 2004, there was a >7-fold increase in PPI prescription. One of the PPIs… saw a 16-fold increase in use during that 6-year period…”

Writing with a sarcasm unusual in a scientific journal, Hassall notes that

“…this data would imply that somehow the diagnosis of GERD has been missed over the past several decades or has recently become a major scourge of infants in the developed world, with acid suppressing drugs becoming a new essential food group in their own right. This change in practice has come about for several reasons, none based in medical science.”

Hassall believes that the growth in the use of PPIs occurred because extensive direct-to-consumer advertising for PPIs and similar medications for adults popularized the term “acid reflux.” So it made sense to parents that these drugs would provide a solution for a seemingly intractable problem. And for doctors, calling the problem GERD and prescribing a PPI to the infant was a way to at least soothe the parents.

The problem with that is that randomized controlled trials provide no evidence that PPIs are better than placebos for difficult infants without objective evidence of GERD. PPIs cost money, and provide no benefit when prescribed beyond a severely ill population.

So what should a parent do if their child has the symptoms of acid reflux?

The Natural NUCCA Approach

During the birth process a misalignment can occur in the upper neck that will change the communication between the brain and the body leading to a variety of different problems, including acid reflux.

Several medical doctors from Europe have done extensive research into upper neck problems in newborns and how that relates to the health of children. For instance, Dr. Godfrey Gutmann, a German medical researcher was looking into the connection all the way back to the 1960's... in 1987 Dr. Gutmann published his research linking the upper neck to problems ranging from acid reflux to scoliosis, ear infections, torticollis, colic and many other common childhood conditions.  Gutmann found over 80% of the over 1000 infants in his study had problems in the upper neck that needed to be addressed!

Birth trauma was the most common cause. Forceps delivery, vacuum extraction and even just normal birthing methods with a woman flat on her back rather than in the standing position where gravity can work, can be an extremely traumatic experience for the head and neck of a newborn.

Upper neck misalignments can be corrected in babies safely, gently and effectively with an upper cervical chiropractic approach such as NUCCA.

If you have a child that’s been diagnosed with acid reflux, before considering giving medication to your baby have their upper neck evaluated for a traumatic birth injury.  You can look for the cause of the problem rather than just covering up the symptoms.

To schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click here.

Want to hear from real people like you? Check out our reviews here.

Dr. Dan Spinato of the San Diego Integrative Spine Center in San Diego, California is a Rancho Penasquitos Chiropractor and an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). Over the past 30 years, Dr. Spinato has helped many people find natural relief in San Diego, California. His upper cervical clinic also serves the communities of Rancho Penasquitos, Carmel Valley, Poway, Scripps Ranch and Rancho Bernardo. He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraine headaches, chronic neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, allergy and sinus problems and temporomandibular joint disorders. More information can be found on his website at http://www.powaychiropractor.net/

References:

http://www.khi.org/news/2013/jun/27/diagnosis-diagnosis-except-when-its-not/

When Central Sensitization Occurs:

When the body feels it is being threatened, it reacts by protecting itself. Sometimes, it goes a little too far and protects itself by going through a process called Central Sensitization. This is the body's way of overreacting to nerve damage or even to the threat of nerve damage.

Basically, the body becomes hypersensitive to tissue damage or the threat of tissue damage. This hypersensitivity is a reaction to the environment and manifests itself as certain conditions including the following.

Central Sensitization Induced Pain

• Neuropathic Pain – This is chronic pain that is usually caused by nerve damage. There may also be damage, dysfunction, or injury to the nerve fibers. The nerve fibers then send incorrect signals to other pain centers causing a change in the location of the injury and around the area of the injury.
• Inflammatory Pain – Inflammation occurs when the body's white blood cells and the substances produced by those white blood cells protect the body from infection that might be caused by a bacteria or virus.
• Migraines – Current theories say the altering of sensory input in the brain causes migraine headaches. In other words, there's an intracranial hypersensitivity that manifests itself as these debilitating headaches.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Recent studies suggest there is reason to believe there are abnormalities in central nociceptive processing in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. This leads to visceral hypersensitivity or a decrease in the gut's pain thresholds.

Central Sensitization and Upper Cervical

In order to reduce and eliminate the body's overreaction to pain, it's important to address the underlying causes of that pain. The way to reduce that threat is to eliminate those things that could be causing that threat.

That means restoring the body's communication system, which has been altered and is causing a change in how the body responds to outside stimuli. This miscommunication within the body leads to a heightened sensation of pain and needs to be restored.

This alteration in communication frequently begins in the upper neck where the brain and spinal cord come together. Even small misalignments in this area can have dramatic effects on the way the brain and body is operating.

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Spinato call (858) 484-0444 or just click the button below.

Are Your Ear Problems All in Your Neck?

Meniere's Disease, Cochlear Hydrops, Tinnitus, hearing loss, chronic ear infections and even vertigo can frequently be related to trauma to the nerves from the upper neck (lower brain stem area) that go into the ears. Upper neck trauma can lead to a variety of different ear problems due to the neurological connections.

Dr. Michael Burcon in Michigan has done excellent work in researching the connection between the upper neck and conditions like Meniere's Disease, tinnitus, vertigo and others.

Patients typically get diagnosed with these conditions in middle age. Their injuries most often happened during high school or college years from a car accident, sports injury or fall on their heads. Few patients list these old injuries on their doctor’s admission paper work. In fact, they have often forgotten about them, believing they were not hurt if they were not admitted to the hospital. It is possible to have fewer than the four classic symptoms of Meniere's Disease (hearing loss, fullness, tinnitus, and vertigo) yet be diagnosed with Meniere's Disease; this is sometimes said to be "atypical" Meniere's Disease. Some Meniere's Disease patients experience hearing loss, fullness, and tinnitus with no vertigo at all, a condition sometimes described as "cochlear hydrops."

When the cause is addressed amazing recovery can take place. But the cause has to be identified and addressed.

Upper Cervical and Ménière’s Disease

Have you been diagnosed with Cochlear Hydrops, Meniere's, vertigo or other ear related conditions? Have you ever had your upper neck thoroughly evaluated to see if the underlying cause could be there? Today could be your day.

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Spinato call (858) 484-0444 or just click the button below.

Quick Migraine Relief

When you suffer from the extreme pain and other effects caused by migraine headaches, you long for quick relief. Unfortunately, most treatments provided by conventional medicine are slow to mitigate symptoms or fail to do so all together. There is an alternative, however, and that is upper cervical chiropractic care. Read on to learn how upper cervical chiropractic care can provide quick migraine relief.

The fact is that many people never have a migraine until they suffer some form of head or neck trauma. Then, suddenly, they start to suffer from these debilitating neurological experiences. This is due to the fact that a serious head or neck trauma can throw the top two vertebrae in your neck out of alignment. When a bone is out of alignment, it can pinch nerves and wreak all sorts of havoc on the body. Imagine what it can do when that bone is positioned at the brain stem like the C1 and C2 vertebrae are.

Car accidents, sports injuries, and even injuries caused at birth can be the source of a C1 or C2 misalignment. Upper cervical chiropractic can fix this misalignment and provide quick relief for injury related migraines. Even if the injury isn't the cause of the migraine, upper cervical chiropractic can help your central nervous system to operate at a better capacity, so that your body can work to heal itself to the best of its ability. Upper cervical chiropractic may even be a permanent solution to your migraine problem.

Research with upright MRIs has shown that when a misalignment occurs in the upper neck. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid flow is changed, which can result in migraine headaches. Correcting this upper neck misalignments has been shown to change the flow of fluid to, from and through the brain, resulting in improved brain health and reduced or eliminated migraine symptoms.

What to Do Next

If you are interested in seeing if your migraines are a result of a misalignment in your upper neck. Find an upper cervical chiropractor in your area.

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Spinato call (858) 484-0444 or just click the button below.

Migraines are a brutal reality that makes even day to day tasks seem challenging. A Migraine episode always seems to come at the worst time and always lasts longer than anyone would hope. It is estimated that 35 million Americans suffer with Migraine Headaches and 27 million are women. 

Migraines pose a challenge not only to the people who have them but also to healthcare providers offering treatment. The traditional treatment route for headaches involves powerful medications and even in some cases invasive surgery. Now many people including doctors, are shying away from these types of treatment in favor of more natural approach to treating migraines.

One of the primary causes for migraine headaches is an abnormally sensitive brain receives too much stimulation. The trend is to modify parts of daily living to prevent the triggers of migraines. A recent article in the Huffington Post highlighted some of the common stressors influencing migraines such as; poor sleep patterns, caffeine, red wine, sugar/artificial sweeteners, hormonal imbalance, and emotional stress.1 Taking this approach is a good way of limiting things that may trigger a migraine but do little in the way of prevention.     

In the San Diego area patients are finding a new way to help relieve their migraines and regain their health naturally. Migraine specialist, Dr Dan Spinato, is taking a fresh approach to this healthcare epidemic. Dr Spinato is an Upper Cervical Chiropractor who specializes in the Atlas bone (C1 vertebra) and the brainstem. In his experience, Dr Spinato has found that migraine headaches are often a result not the cause of the problem. The alignment of the Atlas which is the top bone in the neck is crucial to patients with migraines. Because the brainstem is housed in the spinal bones, a misalignment can cause neurological and vascular deficits which often lead to headaches.

In clinical research performed on large groups of patients with migraine headaches have not only benefited from Upper Cervical Chiropractic but many have even had complete resolution in as little as 1 or 2 adjustments.2 When the misalignment is properly measured and then precisely adjusted according to the individual needs of each patient, headaches often resolve naturally.

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Spinato call (858) 484-0444 or just click the button below.

Migraines are a brutal reality that make even day to day tasks seem challenging. A Migraine episode always seems to come at the worst time and always lasts longer than anyone would hope. It is estimated that 35 million Americans suffer from Migraine Headaches, and 27 million are women.

Migraines typically present with an onset of an aura or throbbing around the top of the head. Symptoms include ringing in the ears, visual disturbances, and in extreme cases nausea and vomiting. As a health condition, they can also cause healthcare providers of all types headaches. Each migraine case is as unique as the person who has it, and treatment options fall short as they are typically generic. Common treatments include heavy-grade pharmaceuticals or avoiding the common trigger foods such as wine, caffeine and chocolate.

There is a new treatment being used in a few places in the United States. This new method involves an electronic nerve stimulator that is surgically implanted around the major nerves of the head. The stimulator works to treat migraines by using an electrical impulse to “jam” the frequency of pain felt by the brain.1 Some patients have reported that there has been a reduction in the frequency of migraines but not resolution. This treatment has only been used on 8,000 patients and requires a commitment to having an electronic device in your head. Many migraine sufferers are now looking for nontraditional and natural treatments.

In, Rancho Penasquitos California, patients are finding a new way to help relieve their migraines and regain their health naturally. Migraine specialist, Dr. Dan Spinato, is taking a fresh approach to this healthcare epidemic. Dr. Spinato is an Upper Cervical Chiropractor who specializes in the Atlas bone (C1 vertebra) and the brainstem. In his experience, Dr. Spinato has found that migraine headaches are often a result, not the cause, of the problem. The alignment of the Atlas, which is the top bone in the neck, is crucial to patients with migraines. Because the brainstem is housed in the spinal bones, a misalignment can cause neurological and vascular deficits that often lead to headaches.

In clinical research, large groups of patients with migraine headaches have not only benefited from Upper Cervical Chiropractic, but many have even had a complete resolution in as little as 1 or 2 adjustments.2 When the misalignment is properly measured and then precisely adjusted according to the individual needs of each patient, headaches often resolve naturally.

References:

1. Watts K. Have migraines? New treatment now offered in Portland.http://www.kptv.com/story/30112594/have-migraines-new-treatment-now-offered-in-portland#ixzz3p177Q9L3 (accessed 19 October 2015).
2. Elster EL. Upper cervical chiropractic care for a patient with chronic migraine headaches with an appendix summarizing an additional 100 headache cases. J Vert Sublux Res 2003;AUG(3):1-10

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Spinato call (858) 484-0444 or just click the button below.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and a similar condition called Fibromyalgia are very common conditions seen in an upper cervical chiropractic office.

What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

The Mayo Clinic describes it this way...

"Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complicated disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that may worsen with physical or mental activity, but doesn't improve with rest. Although there are many theories about what causes this condition — ranging from viral infections to psychological stress — in most cases the cause is still unknown.  Because its symptoms are difficult to measure, CFS wasn't widely accepted as a real medical condition for several years. Today, however, doctors and researchers agree that this chronic condition should be taken seriously."

So if most people get tired they rest and they get more energy.  But if you have chronic fatigue than your batteries don't recharge the same as other people.  You can lay down for a nap or sleep 8 hours at night and still wake up as tired as before!

Undetected Brain Stem Injury

Frequently what we find with patients is Chronic Fatigue will be associated with an undetected brain stem injury.  The Brain Stem is very important for regulating our energy level.  If the brain stem is not functioning the way it was designed you will have a hard time recovering.

When someone has accidents and injuries that have torn loose the connective tissue that holds the spine in place it will allow the spine to breakdown and lock into a stressed position.  The area of the spine that is most frequently affected is the upper neck area because it is the most movable and the most vulnerable to injury.  Once this upper neck area is misaligned it will begin to affect the function of the brain stem.  This brain stem pressure can lead to a variety of problems including dysfunction with the release of cortisol.  Altered cortisol levels can have many different affects on both the mind and the body.

The Mayo Clinic states that "the long-term activation of the stress-response system — and the subsequent overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones can disrupt almost all your body's processes. This puts you at increased risk of numerous health problems, including:

§  Sleep Problems

§  Digestive problems

§  Depression

§  Obesity

§  Memory Impairment

These are some of the most common symptoms associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.

One of the top NUCCA doctors in the world Dr. Marshall Dickholtz Sr. along with a medical doctor and a psychiatrist did some very interesting research several years ago looking at the connection between the upper cervical spine and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  Here's what they found when they compared quality of life measurements using a survey called the SF-36 six months after the initial correction to normal subjects:

§  Physical      Functioning increased from 58% to 85%!

§  General Health      improved from 35% to 55%

§  Vitality      improved from 17% to 55%

§  Social      Functioning increased from 40% to 70%

§  Mental Health      improved from 50% to 70%

In addition, both the quality and quantity of sleep improved based on all testing and there was significant decrease in sleep medication usage.  And maybe most remarkable all subjects in the study found a normalization of cortisol levels in the morning and evening readings at 6 months into care!  Amazing improvement!  Not only were they feeling better but their bodies were actually working better.

Now is the time for you to see if you can be helped. 

What to Do Next

To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you’re in the San Diego County area, to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click here.

Want to hear from real people like you? Check out our reviews here.

Dr. Dan Spinato of the San Diego Integrative Spine Center in San Diego, California is a Rancho Penasquitos Chiropractor and an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). Over the past 30 years, Dr. Spinato has helped many people find natural relief in San Diego, California. His upper cervical clinic also serves the communities of Rancho Penasquitos, Carmel Valley, Poway, Scripps Ranch and Rancho Bernardo. He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraine headaches, chronic neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, allergy and sinus problems and temporomandibular joint disorders. More information can be found on his website at http://www.powaychiropractor.net/

Upper Cervical Chiropractic and Migraine Headaches

If you suffer from migraines, you know that these are more than just the average headache. Migraine headaches can be debilitating for sufferers. Very often, the cause of the migraines is unknown and the treatments don't do much to control the problem. However, there is hope. Upper cervical chiropractic offers a potential solution by attempting to correct the source of the migraines rather than just trying to control the headaches themselves. Read on to learn how.

Upper cervical chiropractic involves aligning the top two vertebrae. Because these vertebrae are found right at the brain stem, an injury to this area can cause issues with the brain being able to communicate with the rest of the body. Migraines are just one of the many conditions that can result from such an injury.

Thus, for some, migraines are simply a symptom of an upper neck injury. Perhaps it occurred while playing sports or in a car accident. There are so many numerous ways for such an injury to occur. The symptoms may not have come on for quite some time after the injury, thus making it difficult to identify the original injury as the problem.

In these cases, upper cervical chiropractic can offer drug-free, natural relief from migraines and other symptoms. This is a safe and gentle alternative to many headache treatments. If you suffer from migraines, why not schedule an appointment to discover if upper cervical chiropractic is the right solution for you.

What to Do Next

To find an upper cervical chiropractor in your area go to www.upcspine.com or if you are in the San Diego area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click here.

Want to hear from real people like you? Check out our reviews here.

Dr. Dan Spinato of the San Diego Integrative Spine Center in San Diego, California is a Rancho Penasquitos Chiropractor and an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). Over the past 30 years, Dr. Spinato has helped many people find natural relief in San Diego, California. His upper cervical clinic also serves the communities of Rancho Penasquitos, Carmel Valley, Poway, Scripps Ranch and Rancho Bernardo. He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraine headaches, chronic neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, allergy and sinus problems and temporomandibular joint disorders. More information can be found on his website at http://www.powaychiropractor.net/

When visiting an upper cervical chiropractor because of a specific problem or to improve overall health and well-being, a person is already taking a more positive approach to your health than a majority of Americans. But most people are unaware of all of the benefits of keeping the spine and nervous system healthy with upper cervical chiropractic care.

Here are 8 health benefits you can receive from upper cervical chiropractic care.

Improved Moods

It may sound funny to say that upper cervical chiropractic, actually make a person happier, but that is what the research shows. Chiropractic has been shown to improve hormone balance. Decreasing the bad hormones like cortisol and increasing the good hormones, such as dopamine and norepinephrine makes a big difference in how the brain and body works and how a person feels.

This is why those suffering with anxiety and depression frequently have dramatic results with chiropractic care.

Fewer Colds and Flus

Dr. Ronald Pero, chief of cancer prevention research at New York's Preventive Medicine Institute measured 107 individuals who had received long-term Chiropractic care. The patients were shown to have a 200% stronger immune system than people who had not received chiropractic care.

Dr. Pero indicated that Chiropractic patients have incredibly strong immune systems, stronger than any group that he is ever measured.

See a Doctor Regularly Whose Goal Is to Keep You Healthy

Doctors of chiropractic are an excellent resource for your health. They are well-trained, naturally minded professionals who undergo a rigorous education in the healing sciences, similar to that of medical doctors. In some areas, such as anatomy, physiology, rehabilitation, nutrition and public health, they receive more education than a medical doctor.

work in tandem with other healthcare professionals. If your condition requires attention from another branch of the healthcare profession, that recommendation or referral will be made.

Sleep Better

With 40 million Americans experiencing a chronic sleeping disorder and 62% of American adults experiencing problems sleeping a few nights a week, Americans desperately need to sleep better.

Upper cervical Chiropractic has been shown to improve sleep, both in children and adults.

Have More Energy

In my experience, when someone is under upper cervical chiropractic care for a while they begin to notice some of the positive side benefits of chiropractic, including more energy and less fatigue.

If you do a Google search to see all the chiropractic patients who have provided testimonials indicating that they have more energy now you will be overwhelmed.

Spend Less Money

Chiropractic care has also been shown to be more cost-effective than the medical approach of drugs or surgery. For example, The Manga Report, a 1993 Canadian government study was quoted as saying:

“There would be highly significant cost savings if more management of low-back pain was transferred from physicians to chiropractors… Users of chiropractic care have substantially lower health care costs, especially inpatient costs, than those who use medical care only.”

Avoid Drugs and Hospitals

Each year, about 4.5 million Americans visit their doctor’s office or the emergency room because of adverse prescription drug side effects. Chiropractic care is a drugless approach to health that has been shown toreduce pharmaceutical costs by 51.8%.

The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics reported that chiropractic patients under care results in a 43 percent fewer hospital admissions, then those under medical care.

Less Pain

When the spine is misaligned due to accidents and injuries, pain frequently develops. Research tells us that Chiropractic adjustments are effective for helping people with pain.  

If you have never been to a upper cervical chiropractor before, why not take the first step to a healthier you.

To schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click here.

Want to hear from real people like you? Check out our reviews here.

Dr. Dan Spinato of the San Diego Integrative Spine Center in San Diego, California is a Rancho Penasquitos Chiropractor and an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). Over the past 30 years, Dr. Spinato has helped many people find natural relief in San Diego, California. His upper cervical clinic also serves the communities of Rancho Penasquitos, Carmel Valley, Poway, Scripps Ranch and Rancho Bernardo. He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraine headaches, chronic neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, allergy and sinus problems and temporomandibular joint disorders.

So if you are looking for pain management? Call us today at 858.484.0444

Does Your Back Hurt?

If you have back pain you know how debilitating it can be. Back pain is extremely common with 80% of people experiencing back pain at some point in their lives.

In fact, back pain is now the single leading cause of disability worldwide.

So if you have back pain or back muscle knots, what can you do about it?

Well, here are 5 simple steps to help you conquer that nagging back injury.

Clean up Your Diet

Nutrition can play a major role in chronic conditions like lower back pain.  Minimizing your intake of processed foods containing trans fats, sugar, gluten, etc. can make a big difference in the amount of inflammation your body is producing.

Dietary changes don’t have to happen overnight. The important thing is to start. Pick one thing on the list and commit to doing that one for now. Cutting out processed foods is a good place to start.

Make sure you’re getting plenty of vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to chronic lower back pain, so make sure that your getting your 20 minutes of sun on your face and arms every day and also it may be necessary for you to take a vitamin D supplement.

Change Your Sleeping Habits

In my experience, regularly sleeping on your stomach can create severe damage in your neck and back. If you are a stomach sleeper make sure you make the change to your side or back as quickly as possible.

If you are a stomach sleeper, tonight, make the decision to begin to sleep on your side. It is very difficult to move from your stomach (the worst) to sleeping on your back (the best).  Remember, if your back hurts in this side sleeping position, you can place a pillow between your knees to alleviate pressure on the lower back.

Commit to a Regular Exercise Routine

The best exercise is the one that you will do consistently. A sedentary lifestyle of sitting around all day has been linked to lower back pain. Whether it is swimming, fast walking, Pilates, yoga or another exercise program, the key is consistency. Exercise has been shown to improve lower back pain.

Postural Evaluation and Care

When the spine is not properly aligned due to accidents and injuries, lower back pain can frequently develop. Scientific research tells us that Chiropractic adjustments are effective for helping people with lower back problems.

Chiropractic care has also been shown to be more cost-effective than the medical approach of drugs or surgery.

In addition, chiropractic patients report a greater level of satisfaction with chiropractic care, compared to the medical approach.

The upper cervical chiropractic approach that we utilize addresses underlying postural problems without any of the cracking, twisting or popping associated with other spinal approaches.

Connect the Musculoskeletal System

Along with chiropractic care some healthcare facilities offer physical rehabilitation exercise programs to supplement their chiropractic adjustments.

This type of physical rehabilitation is helpful in improving functional movement, such as sitting, standing, walking, lifting, etc.

Frequently these types of programs will focus on improving muscular strength, flexibility, balance, range of motion and overall mobility.

Now is the time for you to take a massive amount of action!

Without you taking control of your health and the decisions you make when it comes to your body, you will likely continue to suffer with chronic conditions like lower back pain.

Just to review, here are your action steps to get your back, feeling great:

1.       Change your diet

2.       Change your sleeping position

3.       Commit to a regular exercise routine

4.       Find a chiropractor who combines both chiropractic adjustments and physical rehabilitation.

 To schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click here.

Want to hear from real people like you? Check out our reviews here.

Dr. Dan Spinato of the San Diego Integrative Spine Center in San Diego, California is a Rancho Penasquitos Chiropractor and an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). Over the past 30 years, Dr. Spinato has helped many people find natural relief in San Diego, California. His upper cervical clinic also serves the communities of Rancho Penasquitos, Carmel Valley, Poway, Scripps Ranch and Rancho Bernardo. He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraine headaches, chronic neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, allergy and sinus problems and temporomandibular joint disorders. More information can be found on his website at http://www.powaychiropractor.net/

If you deal with sinus pressure or allergies, you may feel stuck. You may feel like you either have to deal with those issues or take medication for the rest of your life. It's easy to try to alleviate the issue by doing what we see or think we see everyone else is doing. The television is great at telling a captivated audience that certain medications will cure these issues.

Now, the truth is all of those medications those pharmaceutical companies tell you will help cure your allergies or sinuses, won't. They will help alleviate the symptoms, but they will also cause you to need to buy more medication. Sounds like a pretty good marketing technique. Find a problem, create a temporary solution, convince a captivated audience that solution will improve their life, and get them addicted to that temporary relief.

Sinus Pressure

For people who deal with sinus pressure, sprays may alleviate the inflammation in the mucus membrane, but they will not deal with the underlying cause of the inflammation. When your upper cervical spine is out of alignment, the signals from your brain stem do not reach your sinus. This causes your sinus to work over time, and thus you start sniffling and sneezing.

Allergies

For those who deal with allergies, there is something in the environment causing the body to go into self­ defense mode. This self­ defense system reacts automatically, much like the sprinkler system in a building, because your immune system is not reacting properly. Your body is doing it's job by fighting off the foreign objects, but your immune system is not functioning properly. Rather than adding more foreign objects that cause that self ­defense system to shut down, you will want to focus on helping your immune system adjust to that environment.

Whether you deal with sinuses or allergies, when your head is balanced on the spine, and your spine is in alignment, your body functions properly. This means your spine will send signals throughout your body properly, signals will get from your brain stem to your sinus properly, and your immune system will adjust better to environmental changes.

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Spinato call (858) 484-0444 or just click the button below.

Migraines and Seizures

When the upper neck is misaligned it affects the way the brain is working. These brain changes can mimic a variety of different conditions.

Recently the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research had a very interesting case study that discussed the impact of an upper neck misalignment on the brain.

After seeing a series of medical doctors, cardiologists and neurologists a 75-year-old woman finally found a neurologist who was familiar with upper cervical chiropractic. The neurologist determined that she had an upper cervical misalignment which he thought was causing an exacerbation of symptoms related to an old concussion.

According to the neurologist she had a history of concussion 10 years prior. Although her current episode was worse than ever before, the patient reported similar episodes in the past dating back to the concussion. The nature of the injury was a fall resulting in the impact of the back of her head with the floor. She was unable to talk immediately following the fall and was taken to the hospital. She reported receiving a CAT scan and MRI along with many neurological examinations over the next 3 months and then was released.

Her current symptoms were as follows:

• gait ataxia (unsteady and uncoordinated movement)
• strabismus (laziness) in the left eye
• activity or posture induced seizures
• low energy levels
• migraine headaches

Exhaustion or bending forward brought on her seizures. When the seizures occurred, she felt a hot sensation in her upper chest, lost the ability to speak, and developed a painful migraine of the common type (no aura).

A Thorough Upper Neck Evaluation

After a postural and x-ray evaluation, it was determined that her atlas was out of alignment. After her initial adjustment her walking had improved as well as her neck range of motion - specifically rotation, which had been severely decreased "for years." The patient reported an increase in energy.

The patient's care was continued. During each visit, she was checked to make sure the adjustment was holding through subjective evaluation, scanning palpation, and supine leg check. Further visits saw improvement in her walking including the ability to walk heel-to-toe. Her balance improved to where she could stand on one foot. She noticed a general improvement in her vision - specifically clarity, brightness, and color perception are her lazy eye diminished and then finally went away. Finally, it should be noted that she had not had a seizure with the accompanying migraine since beginning care.

The authors suggest a change in blood flow to the brain a likely cause of the patient symptoms.

Do you have a collection of strange neurological symptoms? Do you have a history of head or neck trauma or concussion?

Then an upper cervical evaluation could be your answer.

References: Source: 
Seizure, Ataxia, Fatigue, Strabismus and Migraine Resolved by Precise Realignment of the First Cervical Vertebra: A Case Report Roy Sweat DC, BCAO & Tyson Pottenger DC Journal of upper cervical chiropractic research March 12, 2012

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Spinato call (858) 484-0444 or just click the button below.

Caffeine and Migraines

Did you know migraines are sometime caused by chemicals and preservatives within some foods and beverages. One of those chemicals is caffeine, which everyone knows is found in chocolate and can be found in coffee. Though, not everyone knows caffeine can also be found in certain headache medications.

Upper Cervical Chiropractic care should always be a preferable treatment to taking medicine, as medication introduces foreign substances into your body that only cover the symptoms rather than addressing the cause. Though, now, there is another reason for you to avoid medicating your body.

Here is a list of medications that contain caffeine:

Over-the-Counter Caffeinated Headache Medications

• Anacin Maximum Strength: 32 mg
• Actamin Super: 65.4 mg
• Anacin Tablets and Caplets: 32 mg
• Aspirin-Free Excedrin Caplets: 65 mg
• Bayer Select Maximum Strength Headache Pain Relief: 65.4 mg
• Dristan Capsules: 16 mg
• Excedrin Caplets: 65 mg
• Excedrin Extra Strength Caplets and Tablets: 65 mg
• Goody's Extra Strength Tablets: 16.25 mg
• Goody's Headache Powder: 32.5 mg
• Midol Menstrual Maximum Strength Caplets: 60 mg
• Midol for Cramps Maximum Strength Caplets: 32.4 mg
• NoDoz: 200 mg
• Vanquish Caplets: 33 mg
• Vivarin: 200 mg

Prescription Caffeinated Headache Medications

• Cafergot Suppositories (Cafertrine, Cafetrate, Migergot, Wigraine): 100 mg
• Cafergot Tablets (Ercaf, Ergo-Caff, Gotamine, Wigraine): 100 mg
• Fiorinal Capsules and Tablets: 40 mg
• Fiorinal with Codeine No. 3: 40 mg
• Norgesic; Norphadrine: 30 mg
• Norgesic Forte; Norphadrine Forte: 30 mg
• Triaminicin with Codeine Tablets: 30 mg

Now that you know what types of medications might be triggering your migraines, you have two choices. The first is that you can find a prescription or non-prescription medication that doesn't use caffeine, alleviate your migraines, and cover your symptoms. That will mean remaining dependent upon taking medication for the rest of your life. Your second option is to receive the care of an upper cervical specialist, who will determine the source of your headaches and make the necessary adjustments to any misalignments in your upper neck.

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Spinato call (858) 484-0444 or just click the button below.

Colic in Infants

On April 16, 2013, Several major news sources, including USA Today, Reuters, the Huffington Post, WebMD and CBS news reported on new research coming out of France published in the Journal of the American Medical Association that links having colic as in infant and having migraines as a child or an adult. This is the 4th study to come out recently linking colic to migraines.

The Huffington Post reported:

"In the study, children ages 6 to 18 who visited an emergency room for migraine headaches were about six times more likely to have experienced colic — or frequent, unexplained crying — as an infant compared with children who visited the emergency room for other reasons...The new findings suggest infant colic and migraines may be symptoms of the same underlying condition, said study researcher Dr. Luigi Titomanlio, of the pediatric emergency department at Robert Debré Hospital in Paris."

But what could this underlying condition be?

The Same Underlying Condition

When the upper part of the neck is misaligned it will change the flow of cerebral spinal fluid and blood to and from the brain. This change in CSF and blood flow can lead to a variety of neurological problems. Including colic in children and migraine headaches in adults.

When a baby is born frequently the upper neck is injured. This injury can show symptoms such as colic, GERD, ear infections and other childhood problems. If the upper neck injury is corrected by an upper cervical procedure such as Upper Cervical then the colic or other symptoms are frequently eliminated.

However, if the upper neck misalignment is not corrected, then migraine headaches or other conditions will frequently develop later in life.

So whether colic is an early form of migraines or not the underlying condition can be addressed safely, gently and effectively by Upper Cervical care.

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Spinato call (858) 484-0444 or just click the button below.

Why Is the Shoulder Weak?

When you say that your shoulder is weak, what do you mean? Do you mean that your shoulder and arm is numb? Do you feel tingling in your shoulder and arm? Do you have a loss of strength? Do you have pain in your shoulder that is causing this weakness?

Depending on the answer to those questions may help you in determining what is wrong with your shoulder. Shoulder weakness can be caused by many things, including problems with the shoulder itself, such as rotator cuff injuries, labral injuries shoulder dislocations and separations. You can also have shoulder weakness because of injury to nerves.

For instance, when you have problems in your neck that are leading to nerve irritation this can severely influence your shoulder and arm. Nerves leave the lower portion of your neck and go down your arm all the way to your hand. So frequently and a shoulder, arm or hand problem originates in the neck.

Neck Specialists

If you are seeking to find someone who is an expert at evaluating neck and shoulder injuries, then an upper cervical chiropractor may be your answer.

An upper cervical chiropractor specializes in evaluating head, neck and spinal alignment, that may be leading to nerve pressure and resulting symptoms.

The 1^st step when you come to an upper cervical chiropractic office is to take a thorough history and then evaluate you for postural imbalances and nerve dysfunction that may be leading to shoulder weakness and other health problems.

If you are found to have postural misalignments the Dr will take specific x-rays to evaluate the alignment of the spine. He or she will then be able to mathematically calculate how best to realign your spinal column and improve nerve function.

Upper cervical chiropractors are able to accomplish this without your popping, cracking or twisting of the spine associated with general chiropractic and other manipulative treatment because of the precision with which they work.

There are many individuals that feel relief from pain and improved nerve function almost as soon as they are placed back into normal alignment. For others this relief may take longer. Once proper alignment has been reached the upper cervical chiropractor can show the individual some things that they can do to help stay in alignment.

How Is Your Shoulder Problem Affecting Your Life?

When shoulder weakness or pain is involved even walking can be painful. Also when a shoulder is in pain simple things like eating and drinking can become miserable. In addition to these things when there is a shoulder problem every movement we make can cause the pain to increase and the injury to become worse.

Shoulder weakness and pain may also start to interfere with sleeping habits. Every movement while sleeping can be painful and cause trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. Not being properly rested through the day will cause problems of its own. Shoulder problems are really something that needs to be taken care of as soon as possible.

To find an upper cervical specialist in your area go to www.upcspine.com or if you are in the San Diego, California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click here.

Want to hear from real people like you? Check out our reviews here.

Dr. Dan Spinato of the San Diego Integrative Spine Center in San Diego, California is a Rancho Penasquitos Chiropractor and an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). Over the past 30 years, Dr. Spinato has helped many people find natural relief in San Diego, California. His upper cervical clinic also serves the communities of Rancho Penasquitos, Carmel Valley, Poway, Scripps Ranch and Rancho Bernardo. He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraine headaches, chronic neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, allergy and sinus problems and temporomandibular joint disorders. More information can be found on his website at http://www.powaychiropractor.net/

Post Concussion Syndrome, Much More Than Just a Lingering Headache

When most people think about a concussion they think of the damage that is done to the brain. MRIs, Cat Scans, x-rays and neurological exams are generally focused on the skull and brain. But persistent symptoms related to a concussion may have more to do with the neck, then the head.

Concussion is classified as a mild traumatic brain injury. According to mayoclinic.com, usual symptoms that accompany a concussion are headache, amnesia and confusion. But many other symptoms may follow, sometimes not for days or weeks following the initial injury. These may include ongoing headaches, dizziness, brain fog, light or noise sensitivity and feelings of depression or frustration. If symptoms develop or persist over a period of a weeks, months or years, you likely have what is termed “post concussion syndrome.”

A study conducted by the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (as presented in the JAMA Pediatrics, Feb 2013) indicated that post concussion syndrome (PCS) developed in 29.3% of children between the ages of 5-18 who presented to the emergency department with concussion. Other studies also indicate that about one third of those who experienced a concussion injury will develop PCS.

Dr. Robert Cantu, a Neurosurgeon and world renowned expert in concussion and post concussion symptoms suggests a list of 26 symptoms that can be related to PCS. In his book, Concussion and our Kids, Dr. Cantu highlights 4 categories of symptoms: Somatic (affecting the physical), Emotional (affecting mood), Sleep disturbance and Cognitive (affecting thinking and processing information).

It is clear that a concussion and post concussion symptoms can leave you with much more than just a headache.

But why are the symptoms lingering?

Concussion? You Need to Have Your Neck Examined!

Following any head or neck trauma that is significant enough to cause a concussion, there will be a tearing loose of the connective tissue that holds the spine in place as well. This will lead to a weakness that will allow the spine to breakdown and lock into a stressed position. This misalignment pattern frequently develops as the heavy head is slightly misaligned from the upper neck bones.

As little as three quarters of a degree is enough to alter the position of the head and force the brain to adapt the spinal posture in order to keep the eyes and ears level with the horizon.  This is known as the righting reflex within the brain.

Once this upper neck misalignment has occurred and posture has changed, blood and cerebrospinal fluid flow from the brain to the body and from the body to the brain begins to be altered as well.

This misalignment in the upper neck and subsequent brainstem dysfunction has been shown to be an underlying cause of post concussion syndrome. Once this upper neck misalignment is corrected, precisely, gently and specifically symptoms of post concussion syndrome have resolved almost miraculously at times.

These upper neck misalignments can only be corrected by someone trained in specialized upper cervical corrective procedures.

To find a doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the San Diego California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click here. 

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Dr. Dan Spinato of the San Diego Integrative Spine Center in San Diego, California is a Rancho Penasquitos Chiropractor and an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). Over the past 30 years, Dr. Spinato has helped many people find natural relief in San Diego, California. His upper cervical clinic also serves the communities of Rancho Penasquitos, Carmel Valley, Poway, Scripps Ranch and Rancho Bernardo. He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraine headaches, chronic neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, allergy and sinus problems and temporomandibular joint disorders. More information can be found on his website at http://www.powaychiropractor.net/