Can Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic Help with Migraines?

Let’s be honest: if you’ve ever had a migraine, you know it’s not just a headache. It’s a full-body shutdown. Lights become daggers, sounds feel like sirens, and thinking?

Forget it. You’d give anything to crawl into a dark room and just hit the “pause” button on life for a few hours (or days). So naturally, when someone hears about upper cervical chiropractic as a potential solution, the first reaction is often: Wait… my neck? Really?

Yep. Your neck. And more specifically — the very top of it.

Upper cervical chiropractic care is a specialty within chiropractic that focuses exclusively on the top two bones in your spine: the atlas (C1) and axis (C2). These little guys sit just below your skull, and they play a huge role in everything from head movement to neurological function.

They’re also right next door to the brainstem — a key player in regulating blood flow, nerve signals, and pain perception throughout your head and body.

When the atlas or axis becomes misaligned, even slightly, it can create subtle pressure or irritation near the brainstem. This can throw off the balance of your nervous system and contribute to a cascade of problems — including, for some people, chronic migraines.

Now, that might sound a little “out there” if you’ve never heard it before. But the idea isn’t new, and neither is the research.

Several case studies and small clinical trials have reported improvement in migraine symptoms following upper cervical adjustments. For example, a 2016 study in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research followed a group of patients with chronic migraines who received Upper Cervical-style adjustments.

Over 12 weeks, they saw measurable reductions in migraine frequency, duration, and severity. Not a bad outcome — especially when compared to medications that often come with side effects.

Even more compelling? In a 2007 pilot study published in Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, researchers found that atlas corrections led to significant improvements in migraine symptoms — particularly in patients whose posture and spinal scans showed asymmetry at the top of the neck.

So, what does upper cervical migraine care actually look like?

Well, it starts with precision. Upper cervical chiropractors don’t just feel around and guess. They typically take detailed X-rays or 3D scans to analyze the exact alignment of your C1 and C2 vertebrae. They’re looking for tiny misalignments — sometimes just a fraction of a degree — that could be putting pressure on nearby structures or disrupting cerebrospinal fluid flow.

The adjustments themselves are gentle. No twisting or cracking. It’s more like a carefully calculated nudge in the right direction, using either a hand adjustment or a small instrument. And because it’s so specific, many patients only need a few corrections — not constant weekly visits.

After the adjustment, your body begins the real work: healing. As the alignment improves, nerve function can normalize, tension may decrease, and blood flow can regulate. Some patients notice a change after just one session. Others take a few weeks as their nervous system calms and finds a new balance.

Does it work for everyone? Of course not. No treatment — conventional or alternative — has a 100% success rate for migraines. But for people who’ve tried everything else (prescriptions, Botox, even diet overhauls) and are still struggling, upper cervical care can be a game-changer.

And here's something to consider even if migraines aren’t your main issue, many people discover that upper cervical adjustments also help with sleep, focus, neck tension, and energy levels. Why? Because the nervous system runs the show — and when it’s running better, everything feels better.

If you’re even a little curious whether this might help you, you can call our office to at 716-775-5025. Our new patient visit includes a consultation to review your symptoms, a comprehensive exam, x-rays to check your alignment, and a report of findings to help you decide whether upper cervical treatment could be a good fit.

So, back to the big question: Can upper cervical chiropractic help with migraines?

For many people, the answer is a resounding yes — especially when the root cause is tied to a misalignment at the top of the spine. It’s not a quick fix or a miracle cure, but it’s a science-based, gentle approach that focuses on getting your nervous system back in balance. Are you interested in seeing if Atlas Orthogonal is right for you and can give you relief from your migraines, call our office at 716-775-5025 to make an appointment.

And when your nervous system is happy? Your head is a lot more likely to be, too.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a licensed healthcare provider regarding any symptoms, diagnoses, or treatment options related to your personal health.

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Article courtesy of UpperCervicalCare.com