Treating Sleep Disturbances to Help Migraines

Migraines are an extremely disruptive condition regardless of whether you deal with them regularly or just have an occasional episode. One thing that the medical industry focuses on would be the triggers of migraines, and for many these include things such as chocolate and red wine. However, one primary trigger that is often ignored is sleep routine.  
When an imbalance is caused in a person’s neurotransmitters such as serotonin or dopamine, a migraine can result. These imbalances occur when a person does not get sufficient sleep. It requires a deep sleep stage for the body to produce these chemicals in their proper amounts. Thus, a poor sleep routine can become the trigger for frequent migraines.  
The central nervous system is responsible for telling the endocrine system when to release neurotransmitters and how much. When the C1 and C2 vertebrae become misaligned, communication in the central nervous system can be thrown off. This can, therefore, become the first step in migraine occurrence.  

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and migraines download our complimentary e-book.

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At Brooks Spinal Care, myself and Dr. Brooks specialize in treating migraines through realignment of the C1 and C2 vertebrae using the NUCCA technique. Locating upper cervical misalignments and correcting them with gentle and precise adjustments can start you on the road to recovery from migraines. 
Additionally, you will want to get into a good sleep routine. That means avoiding things such as having caffeine too late in the day and using a smartphone or tablet in bed at night which can restrict melatonin production (the chemical the body produces to induce sleep). The combination of good sleep habits and upper cervical adjustments have benefited many.  
 
REFERENCES: 

1. Walters, A. B., Hamer, J. D. and Smitherman, T. A. (2014), Sleep Disturbance and Affective Comorbidity Among Episodic Migraineurs. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 54: 116–124. doi: 10.1111/head.12168 
   
2. ​Do your sleep habits trigger migraines? [homepage on the Internet]. 2007 [cited 2015 Apr 10]. Available from:, Web site: http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/features/do-your-sleep-habits-trigger-migraines?page=3 
   
3. Migraine frequency, disability linked with poor sleep. [homepage on the Internet]. 2013 [cited 2015 Apr 10]. Available from:, Web site: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/30/migraine-sleep-disability-frequency-headaches_n_3660122.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003 

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