By Dr. Edward Corsello | Upper Cervical Health of Connecticut
What Really Causes Migraine Headaches?
If you’ve ever experienced a migraine, you know it’s much more than “just a headache.”
For many people, migraines can disrupt work, family life, and even simple daily activities. Some people experience sensitivity to light or sound. Others struggle with nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, or an aura before the migraine even begins.
One of the questions I hear most often is:
“Why do I keep getting migraines?”
The truth is, there isn’t one simple answer. But after caring for migraine sufferers for many years, I’ve learned that one area is often overlooked—the upper cervical spine.
đź’ˇ Dr. Ed Explains
“Migraines are neurological events. The question I always ask is, ‘Is there something mechanically interfering with how the nervous system is functioning?'”
Migraines Are More Than Head Pain
Many people think migraines are simply severe headaches.
They’re not.
Migraines involve changes within the nervous system. That’s why symptoms can include nausea, light sensitivity, visual disturbances, dizziness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating—not just pain.
When someone tells me they’ve suffered from migraines for years, my first thought isn’t, “How do we cover up the pain?”
My first thought is:
“Why is the body producing migraines in the first place?”
The Upper Neck May Be Part of the Picture
The atlas is the top bone in your neck. It sits directly beneath the skull and surrounds one of the most important areas of your body—the brainstem.
This region is also home to important nerves, blood vessels, and the normal movement of cerebrospinal fluid.
When the upper cervical spine isn’t functioning as it should, it’s possible that these delicate structures may be affected. While migraines can have many contributing factors, evaluating the upper cervical spine may provide valuable information for some patients.
That’s one reason Atlas Orthogonal care focuses so much attention on this area.
🧠Did You Know?
Many migraine sufferers also report:
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Recurring headaches
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Shoulder tension
- Fatigue after an episode
Looking at these symptoms together often provides a more complete picture than focusing on the migraine alone.
Why Medication Doesn’t Always Solve the Problem
Medication can play an important role in helping manage migraine symptoms, and many patients depend on it.
But medication is generally designed to manage the episode—not necessarily explain why the migraines continue to occur.
If you’ve been relying on medication for years without lasting improvement, it may be worth asking whether there’s an underlying mechanical issue that’s never been evaluated.
Sometimes asking a different question leads to a different answer.
Why I Chose Atlas Orthogonal
My interest in Atlas Orthogonal isn’t just professional—it’s personal.
As a young man, I dealt with scoliosis, torticollis, recurring ear infections, and later suffered injuries in a serious car accident. I experienced low back pain, sciatica, disc injuries, and a concussion.
When I was introduced to Atlas Orthogonal care, I honestly didn’t understand how correcting my upper neck could influence the rest of my body.
But I trusted the process.
Over time, I experienced improvements that changed my life and ultimately inspired me to dedicate my career to this specialized form of upper cervical care.
That’s why I’m so passionate about helping patients explore whether the upper cervical spine could be playing a role in their own health journey.
The Corsello Difference
Every migraine patient has a different story.
That’s why no two evaluations are exactly alike.
At Upper Cervical Health of Connecticut, we begin by listening. We want to understand when your migraines started, how often they occur, what you’ve already tried, and whether the mechanics of your upper cervical spine deserve a closer look.
Atlas Orthogonal care isn’t about forcing the neck into position.
It’s about making a gentle, precise correction based on detailed imaging and individualized analysis.
Let’s Talk About Your Migraines
If migraines are interfering with your quality of life, we’d love the opportunity to help you better understand what may be contributing to them.
A consultation with Dr. Edward Corsello can help determine whether the upper cervical spine should be part of the conversation.
About Dr. Edward Corsello
Dr. Edward Corsello is a Board Certified Atlas Orthogonist and founder of Upper Cervical Health of Connecticut in Stratford, Connecticut. His own experience overcoming significant spinal injuries through Atlas Orthogonal care inspired him to devote his career to helping others find answers beyond symptom management.
Patients travel from Stratford, Fairfield, Milford, Trumbull, Shelton, Orange, Westport, Woodbridge, New Haven, and throughout Connecticut seeking his expertise in neck pain, migraine headaches, vertigo, sciatica, and upper cervical care. What makes his practice unique is the emphasis on precision, individualized imaging, and identifying potential underlying mechanical factors rather than simply treating symptoms.
If you’re searching for a chiropractor who takes the time to listen, educate, and create a personalized plan, Dr. Corsello and his team are here to help.
đź“ž (203) 381-1800
Click here to schedule your consultation online.