Relief for Migraine Pain Through Functional Neurology

August 2, 2023

Many patients who suffer from migraines will experience multiple symptoms due to misfiring of signals within the brain. This misfiring leads to

dizziness
nausea
light and sound sensitivity
visual aura
blurry vision
pain at the base of the skull
pain around an eye
pain on one side of the head
brain fog
fatigue
digestive changes
mood changes

We can correct this misfiring through a specialized combination of neurological treatments over time

That may seem like a really big list and you may ask how we could possibly treat all of those issues? The answer is that we're not treating each individually, but treating the central source of your symptoms, which resides in the brain stem. This source is typically involving the areas of our brain that control balance, blood flow to our brain and scalp, eye movements, neck/head spinal control, and head sensation (pain). More specifically, these are the vestibular system, proprioceptive, autonomic nervous system, visual system, and trigeminovascular pathway.

There are typically multiple areas of involvement, so a system that evaluates and treats all parts of the problem is essential for recovery for migraine patients. Through functional neurology, we are able to retrain synapses (conections) within these regions of the brain, improving brain health and function that reduces symptoms associate with migraine. This takes time, but it works quite well for most patients, providing long-term relief. Most patients describe less intensity, frequency, and that their medications work better.

Our goal is to improve communication and health of the abnormal signaling that is occurring between your brain stem, eyes, neck, head and balance centers. Improving blood flow and oxygenation to the brain and scalp is vitally important to migraine care and is responsible for a lot of symptoms. Once we restore blood flow and communication, the brain doesn't have to work so hard to function and we no longer struggle to deliver proper blood flow to the brain (spasming blood vessels), resulting in a reduction or elimination of pain.

The cervical spine is also involved in migraines and it's important to have knowledge of the brain and the spine when dealing with migraines because they are often both involved.

We also address breathing and rib function during treatment to enhance oxygenation to the brain and removal of CO2 that may be a source of vascular spasm and blood flow changes in the brain that often lead to migraine headache events.

We use a neuroplasticity approach that helps remodel your improper brain signaling. Functional neurology reconnects healthy brain and body communication through a combination of treatments so that you no longer experience misfiring of messages that result in migraine headache pain and symptoms. Most patients range from 50-100% long-term improvement, although the majority are in the 75% or greater improvement, allowing them to control migraines with ease through medication, lifestyle, and dietary changes. Occasionally, patients need follow-ups to regain their healthy trajectory, but our goal is always to provide migraine independence so that you don't need us!