Evidence suggests that chiropractic care, including spinal manipulation, improves migraine and cervicogenic (originating in neck) headaches. However, researchers have many theories. There are studies to explain beyond the “vascular dilation” and “muscle contraction” theories. This post is about West Palm Beach Chiropractor: The Science Behind Headaches, Part I.
West Palm Beach Chiropractor: The Science Behind Headaches Involving Serotonin and Sensory Input
Apparently, a neurologic event occurs associated with an imbalance of serotonin during headaches. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that works with bodily functions. This includes mood, sleep, appetite, anxiety, digestion, and sexual desire. So too little or too much serotonin may contribute to headaches. And it matters where it occurs. Typically, too little serotonin in your central nervous system is the primary cause of headaches.
Moreover, increased local vascular concentrations of serotonin may be part of an inflammatory cascade. These inflammatory chemicals include substance P. Substance P is a neurotransmitter found in the brain and spinal cord. It plays a role in transmitting pain signals. Ultimately, a neurogenic (originating from nervous system) vascular inflammation results. Truly there are numerous chemical reactions causing headaches.
West Palm Beach Chiropractor: The Science Behind Headaches involving Sensory Input and Skull structures
Firstly, dysfunction of brain stem control of various sensory input could be a major factor for headaches. For example, parts of the cranial (skull) blood vessels and the dura (membrane covering the brain) may be dysfunctioning. These are innervated (supplied) by the trigeminal nerve (5th cranial nerve). This nerve plays a crucial role in providing sensory and motor functions to your face and head.
Secondly, posterior fossa structures (back of the skull) are innervated by the C2 (neck spinal nerve 2) nerve roots. Next, input from the trigeminal-innervated structures pass through a group of nerve cells called trigeminal ganglion. These synapse in the trigeminocervical nucleus (cranial nerve 5 and neck complex). Information is then sent through the spinal cord nerve tract called the trigeminothalamic tract. And this is after decussating (crossing over) in the brainstem.
Thirdly, control of this nociceptive (sensation of pain) information is believed to come from various brainstem nerve cell bodies. Therefore, the convergence of afferent (incoming) information come from cervical spinal nerves. Next, together with the trigeminal nerve in the trigeminocervical nucleus may serve to explain a referred pain mechanism.
West Palm Beach Chiropractor: The Science Behind Headaches involving Anatomical Structures
Anatomically, the trigeminocervical nucleus is a continuous column of neurons. This is formed by the caudal (back) end of the spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve and the dorsal (back) horn of the upper cervical spinal nerves (C1-C3). In other words, it is formed by nerves C1-C3 in your neck and cranial nerve 5. As a consequence, the result may be either referral to the head and face from irritation in the neck. And/ or referral of neck pain from dysfunction of intracranial pain-sensitive structures (e.g., intracerebral blood vessels causing head pain). Therefore, structures innervated by CI-C3 including C2-C3 intervertebral disk annular fibers, deep muscles, joints, ligaments, and connections to the dura mater may be sources of referred pain to the head. Scientists propose that chiropractic manipulation to these areas relieves headaches.
Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Treatment at Meiri Chiropractic for Headaches
Our spectrum of therapies at Meiri Chiropractic including adjustments, soft tissue techniques and therapeutic exercises (stretching and strengthening) will get you feeling better!
Your chiropractor will examine, diagnose and determine your best course of chiropractic treatment for headaches . Call us in West Palm Beach at 561-253-8984 to schedule an appointment. Start getting headache relief today and check back for the next post: West Palm Beach Chiropractor: The Science Behind Headaches, Part II.
References:
Thomas Souza, (2018) Differential Diagnosis and Management for the Chiropractor