An Atlas subluxation is a misalignment of the upper most neck bone named after the Greek God Atlas, in that Atlas holds up the world in the same way that your first neck bone Atlas holds up your world as in your head.  

An Atlas subluxation put simply is a misalignment between the skull above and the second neck bone (Axis) below, due to a slip, fall, accident, or injury.  

The Atlas misalignment will then clog the opening through which nerves, blood vessels, and CSF (Cerebrospinal Fluid) will pass interfering with flow, function, and communication back and forth between the brain and the body. 
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The Atlas subluxation will remain stable in its abnormal misaligned configuration slowly causing spinal damage and health problems over time.  On average it is 10-15 years before symptoms start showing up from an Atlas subluxation.  

Many experience migraines and suffer terrible pain as a result. One thing that many migraine sufferers do not realize is that they may actually be experiencing a headache at the same time as the migraine. After all, how would you notice if you are already in a lot of pain?  
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If you experience a migraine and a headache at the same time, you are dealing with a condition called mixed tension headaches. Sometimes, they are called transformed migraines. Regardless of the name, this medical condition can be very debilitating and difficult to diagnose or treat. How can you tell if you experience tension migraines?  

Usually, the pain will come from behind just one eye. You may also experience pain in the head and neck on both sides. This is because your head and neck muscles are contracting. This contraction is responsible for the tension headache side of the condition. The single-sided pain is usually from the migraine. What causes the tension headache to accompany the migraine? There are several factors: 

• Eye Strain 
• Alcohol 
• Sinus Problems 
• Smoking 
• Fatigue 
• Cold or Flu 
• Poor Posture 
• Stress
• Caffeine  

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

There are many different types of headaches and subtle variations to them.  It should also be noted that it is possible to have combinations of headaches.  A quick example might be a tension type headache, combined with migraine and rebound headache.  Many people do not realize how all their symptoms are related.  The hard part is figuring out the source of the headache and fixing that. This is a short and sweet summary of several of the most common types of headaches.  

​The migraine headache is a large topic but to sum things up; a migraine headache is usually a one sided throbbing/pulsating head pain that in many cases will feel like blood is backed up in your head.  In addition many people can experience nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, visual disturbance (aura), numbness down the arm (brachioplegic migraine) or even one side of the body (hemiplegic migraine). 

​The term cervicogenic headache literally breaks down to a headache pain created by the neck. The most common cause is joint dysfunction in one of the upper two neck bones. This type of headache can radiate pain to many different areas of the head, face, neck, and shoulders. In fact there is so much variability to this type of headache they have developed pain maps through research to help to try and categorize them. 

​A tension headache feels like a constant ache or pressure around your head, especially at the temples or back of the head and neck (this is a huge sign of an underlying neck problem by the way). This type of headache is one of the most common and as the name implies too much tension in the muscles or a muscle imbalance in the back of the head, neck, scalp, jaw, eyes, etc. will cause head pain.   

​This type of headache is pain in the back of the head, upper neck, and commonly behind the eyes.  There are several names for this type of headache such as occipital neuralgia, C2 neuralgia, Arnold's neuralgia etc.  Joint dysfunction in the upper neck irritates the nerves in the upper neck called the occipital nerves and pain radiates to the back of the head, upper neck, and in some cases behind the eyes. 

​Cluster headaches appear suddenly and usually stick to one side of the head creating a debilitating pain.  In many cases people that suffer with this type of headache will also have a watery eye and nasal congestion on the same side but can also have a runny nose due to the excess water draining from the eye.  These headaches show up in groupings or clusters and will likely result in you wanting to lie down and rest.  If you are like many people with cluster headaches you will be restless and have a hard time getting comfortable. 

​Many people do not realize that long-term use and over-use of painkillers for headaches can actually cause headaches; in addition permanent damage to other areas of the body is not uncommon due to long term toxicity from the drugs used.  With the rebound headache you end up back at square one, likely having spent a lot of money and ending up with a similar problem to the one you were trying to eliminate. 

​A previous injury to the head or neck is the common denominator in virtually all chronic headache patients.  The most common types of injuries reported by patients are car accidents, sports injuries, slips, and falls.  When a trauma occurs, an injury to the head or neck is common and it can lead to head and neck misalignment (one of the upper two neck bones gets knocked out of alignment).  

Once it is pointed out it is easy to see that there is a strong relationship to upper neck problems and headaches of many different varieties.  Time and time again upper cervical chiropractic care has been shown to be the natural, non-invasive treatment of choice for headaches. 

Dr. Blom is an upper cervical chiropractor in Boise, Idaho that specializes in detection and treatment of spinal related disorders of the head and neck.  Correction of head and neck misalignment has proven to be highly effective for people that suffer from headaches.   If you are looking for natural headache treatment and relief in Boise Idaho you are on the right track. 

If you would like to schedule a consultation to meet with Dr. Blom about your headaches please click the link below or you can give us a call directly at (208) 559-0541 to schedule an appointment. 

If you would like to learn more about the relationship between headaches and the neck you can download our ebook. ​