The Hidden Spinal Issue No One’s Checked In Chronic Headache Sufferers If you suffer from chronic headaches o r migraines, you’ve probably tried everything pain medications, neurologists, eye exams, dietary changes, maybe even p hysical therapy, or massage. And yet they keep coming back. There’s a reason for that and it’s something most healthcare providers never check for. The Overlooked Root of Recurring Headaches At Discover Life Chiropractic in Tacoma, we’ve seen hundreds of patients who were told their headaches were “normal” or “just stress,” only to discover that the true source of their pain was something far more mechanical—and completely undiagnosed. Incorrect diagnosis leads to failed treatment, no results and frustrates patients. What we are talking about is the upper cervical ligament injury —specifically to the ligaments that stabilize the top two bones in your neck (C1 and C2). These tiny structures play a huge role in your body’s ability to support your head, maintain balance, and protect your brainstem. Here is the problem: Ligament damage doesn’t show up on traditional imaging like MRI or standard static X-rays. That’s why we take upper cervical stress X-rays in bending positions—a tool most clinics simply don’t have or don’t know how to use correctly. What Are Upper Cervical Ligament Injuries? Ligaments are strong connective tissues that hold your bones in place. In the upper neck, they keep your atlas (C1) and axis (C2) bones stable during movement. When these ligaments are overstretched or torn often from past traumas like car accidents, sports injuries, or even childhood falls they may never fully heal. This will allow too much motion between those bones leading to: • Cervicogenic headaches • Migraines • Brainstem irritation (which affects pain processing, blood pressure, and nausea) • Muscle tension from the body constantly trying to compensate. • Pressure changes that trigger throbbing or pounding sensations • Chronic trigger points in upper cervical muscles • Vertigo/dizziness What makes this so tricky is that symptoms can show up months or even years after the original injury and by then, most patients (and their doctors) have stopped looking at the neck. The Missing X-Ray: Lateral Bending Stress Views The key to uncovering this hidden issue is a specific kind of X-ray that shows the upper cervical spine in motion not just at rest. At Discover Life Chiropractic in Tacoma, we take carefully positioned lateral bending stress X-rays, where the patient gently bends the head side to side. These images reveal whether the C1 and C2 bones are unstable, which is a clear sign of ligamentous injury. If that motion exceeds 1mm, we know the ligaments are not doing their job and that instability is contributing to your chronic headaches. Real Answers. Targeted Treatment. Once we know instability is present, we can create a customized care plan that focuses on: • Stabilizing the upper cervical spine using gentle structural corrections • Reducing inflammation and pressure on the surrounding nerves • Strengthening the supportive tissues around the injury • Addressing cranial imbalances that often go together with upper neck dysfunction This isn’t about masking symptoms. It’s about correcting the problem that’s been overlooked for years. The Takeaway: Headaches Aren’t the Problem, They’re the Signal When your body is in chronic pain it is trying to tell you something. If your headaches won’t go away, despite all the treatments and opinions, there’s a good chance something deeper is going on. We help patients get real relief by going beyond the surface and finding the actual cause of their pain—starting with the part of the spine most doctors never evaluate properly. If you’re tired of temporary fixes, let’s uncover the missing piece of your puzzle. Ready to see what’s really going on in your neck? Schedule a complimentary consultation today, and let’s take the first step toward lasting relief.

Chiropractic vs. Physical Therapy Chiropractic Treatment Often patients are confused when they have back pain about if they should see a chiropractor or a physical therapist? So below is a quick blog about both. Chiropractic adjustments are designed to restore the brain and bodies communication system. This allows your body to self-regulate its adaptation to stress in your life. Pain is a signal that the body is approaching a threshold like a warning signal. When you have constant pain, your body has broken and needs help. A chiropractor’s role is in evaluating the spine and nerve function that are connected to the pain areas and restoring the communication so the body can heal itself. If done correctly most patients experience quick relief and can go back to their daily routine. Often the areas of pain are not where the problem lies so at Discover Life Chiropractic in Tacoma we look at the whole spine to not miss other things that can cause your pain e.g. tech neck causing lower back pain. Physical Therapy Alternatively, physical therapy (PT) rehabilitates the affected injury or surgery after it occurs and emphasizes enhancing the flexibility and performance of bones, muscles, and joints. They often work on core strengthening and soft tissue mobilization and treat the areas of pain. They will perform a specific treatment plan and then release the patient with home care. They are limited in treating only what the prescribing doctor recommends and are not primary care physicians. Chiropractic Advantages While the two practices seem similar, there is a distinct function of chiropractic that physical therapy cannot address adjusting the nerve system. They may offer joint manipulation that seems similar, but the results are different. For example, when you have suffered an injury to the spine there will be ligamentous damage. As a result, the nerve loop can be disconnected from the joint to the spinal cord so the body can’t protect this area anymore. By analyzing the nerve distortion, the adjustment that a chiropractor gives resets this nerve loop and allows normal communication getting the body back online to protect that area. This is why chiropractors adjust the spine and not mobilize a joint. Being specific in the areas to adjust and leave the rest alone is what has set Discover Life Chiropractic apart from physical therapy for the last 34 years. Not getting results with your problems try us. Discover Life Chiropractic-Chronic Pain