Migraines and Depression Leads to Brain Changes

CBS news is reporting on a new study finds that people with migraines who also are depressed have smaller brains.  “Our study suggests that people with both migraine and depression may represent a unique group from those with only one of these conditions,” study author Dr. Larus S. Gudmundsson, a researcher at the National Institute on Aging and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, in Bethesda, Md., said in a news release.

The study authors set out to see how having both depression and migraines affected people’s brains. Their research was published May 22 online in Neurology.

This isn’t the first study to report brain changes associated with migraines.

A March study in Radiology found migraine sufferers had less tissue over the part of the brain that processes pain.

A Nov. 2012 study in JAMA found women who suffered from migraines were more likely to have small lesions in their brains.

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However, recent research is giving great hope to migraine sufferers. Dr. Scott Rosa, upper cervical chiropractor from New York has been doing some amazing research with upright MRIs. He’s been able to show that when someone has a misalignment in the upper neck it is actually changing the flow of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) to, from and through the brain. CSF is the fluid that lubricates the brain and spinal cord.

This research is consistent with the findings of the upper cervical organization looking at changes in blood flow to and from the brain with phase contrast MRIs in migraine patients.

The obstruction comes as the first few bones in your neck becomes misaligned and causes a backup of CSF and blood leading to increased intracranial pressure. When this misalignment was corrected by an upper cervical procedure such as upper cervical, the studies show that the pressure decreases by 28.6%! And the CSF flow becomes normal. These CSF and blood flow changes may be the underlying reason for the brain changes that are being recognized in the research.

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Dr. Kurt Sherwood, D.C. is an Upper Cervical Specialist and Renton Chiropractor who has helped many people to find natural relief over the past 20 plus years. He is trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association and his Renton Chiropractic clinic specializes in correcting problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems including migraine headaches, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s disease, and vertigo. More information can be found on his website at http://www.restorationspinalcare.com

 

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About the Author

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Upper Cervical Chiropractic in Renton | Sherwood Spinal Care
Dr. Kurt Sherwood comes from a family of Chiropractors that have been serving the Seattle area for over 50 years. Dr. Kurt Sherwood graduated from the prestigious Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport Iowa in 1989. He has been practicing in the Renton area since that time. Dr. Sherwood is board certified in the NUCCA technique. He is a member of the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA), International Chiropractic Association (ICA), and Washington State Chiropractic Association (WSCA). He serves on the board of directors for the NUCCA organization, is an instructor in the NUCCA procedure, and is a published research author. He is currently volunteering time and resources toward publication of future projects in conjunction with the UCRF.