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If you are living with constant migraines, then you know it's more than just a bad headache. Migraines are neurological conditions that can impact all areas of our lives and our health.
June is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month. During this time, we must raise awareness and educate others about migraines, headaches, related diseases, and conditions. Migraines impact over 40 million people in the US, and nearly 400,000 Americans experience cluster headaches. These painful, intense headaches can be frequently known as a cluster period and could sometimes last weeks or even months.
Migraines may cause you to disappear during work hours because of your experiencing symptoms due to migraines, like debilitating pain, blurred vision, or even nausea. The most common migraine symptoms sometimes make it impossible to work. Some may go to the workplace, which triggers migraine attacks because of the long hours on the computer screen or feelings of being in a stressful environment.
People who experience consistent migraines cannot work normally and function as they could. Because of this, you feel less productive, get less done, reschedule meetings, call in sick, and miss out on essential details to reach your goals.
Because of migraine unpredictability, you never know when or where you will be when a migraine attack occurs. The encompassing nature of these attacks means sometimes, we wind up disappointing ourselves and the people close to us. You never know when and where you will feel a migraine come on. It could be when you're out trying to support a friend or on an important date for you and your partner. Those relationships could feel threatened. After all, you can't show up when they need you most because you're dealing with unbearable pains and symptoms.
Dealing with migraines can make parenting feel impossible. It's hard enough being a parent, or even a single parent, and having to deal with the difficulties of migraines. Even the most minor things can feel challenging when dealing with children while you have a migraine attack. You may feel bad for your partner, who is taking more responsibility because you have to rest and feel the burden of migraine symptoms. For single parents, there is no help, and juggling parenthood while feeling pain can take a toll on our bodies and mental health.
It's not uncommon for people who experience migraines to experience mental health problems. Because of these effects on our lives, other body parts have trouble coping with regular life tasks.
At times there is no cure for migraines; however, there are common ways to manage them effectively with upper cervical chiropractic.
Migraines are neurovascular headaches. "Neuro" stands for the nerve component and "vascular" for blood vessels. Another primary issue that directly causes migraines is a disruption in the cerebrospinal fluid, which is crucial for proper brain function.
At Atlas Brain and Body, we can measure stress on the brain stem and the pain-sensitive surrounding tissue. Sometimes the blood supply to the brain is often compromised. Another primary issue that directly causes migraines is a disruption in Cerebro spinal fluid, which is crucial for proper brain function.
If you want to start making significant changes in your life and live without the pains and agony of migraines, make an appointment at Atlas Orthogonal at (828) 253-0700 to see how we can help.
The Cranial nerve is also referred to as the Vagus Nerve. The Latin word Vagus means wandering. This nerve is named because it originates in the medulla part of the brain stem, then winds through the body. Networking the brain with the stomach and digestive system, heart, spleen, intestines, liver, and kidneys, the lungs,
The vagus nerve is a major parasympathetic nerve. The PNS or Nervous parasympathetic system helps keep us stable and helps heal our bodies. The PNS is the opposite of the sympathetic nervous system (or SNS). Also known as the fight or flight system, the PNS is the Wine and Dine system.
Everyone has a specific Vagal tone. The strength of our tone is measured by how quickly our body can relax after stress. The stronger your vagus activity, the faster your body responds to a relaxed state after a stressful moment.
Vagal tone (or VT) is the strength of your vagus response. The VT can be determined by measuring your heart rate and getting your HRV or heart rate variability.
A high vagal tone lets your body regulate blood glucose levels better and reduces the likelihood of things like diabetes, stroke, or other types of cardiovascular diseases. A higher VT means that your body can relax faster after experiencing stress. A higher VT is also directly related to a better mood and feeling less anxiety.
A lower vagal tone, as part of the immune system, inflammation is helpful when trying to help the body heal after an injury. Still, it can damage organs and blood vessels if it persists when not needed.
The vagus nerve and upper cervical chiropractors go hand in hand because of the link between the essential nerves and the spine and upper neck. Spinal health plays a role in directing the health of the vagus nerve. Suppose the spine is altered in its position or ability to move. In that case, the information to and from the vagus nerve becomes interrupted. That's why chiropractic adjustments play an essential role in aligning and moving the spine to assure vagus nerve activity is doing its job correctly.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic plays a vital role in reducing chronic disease through adjustments that directly influence vagal nerve function. Research shows that Chriocpic adjustments can improve HRV by bossing the health function of the vagus nerve. By enhancing the vagus nerve, you will improve the way your entire nervous system functions. Resulting in lowering your risk for chronic disease and increasing your life span.
A better functioning nervous system will experience overall better health through regular chiropractic care. Call Us At (828) 253-0700 for more information.
Atlas Orthogonal chiropractic is not a part of the core curriculum at most chiropractor colleges, but it does exist as an entirely separate specialty that requires students or established doctors to learn and develop competencies outside of basic chiropractic education.
Dr. David Nygaard is board certificated in advanced upper cervical care; Atlas Orthogonality. There are currently less than 250 worldwide doctors that has achieved this advanced certification.
A major difference between upper cervical chiropractic specialists and traditional chiropractors is that the doctor will not adjust the patient without x-rays.
Dr. David Nygaard relies on detailed imaging and precise calculations. At Atlas Brain and Body we understand the importance of your care. Diagnostic imaging is an important first step in providing you with a tailored treatment plan that will ensure that every treatment is effective.
The high frequency digital x-ray technology allows for precision and accuracy when determining your misalignment. The reason that your Atlas adjustment is so precise is because of these very specific x-ray imaging. Getting started requires 4 images; 1 from the side, one from the back of your head and 2 from the front. These images are the analyzed with a unique computer program providing a unique blueprint of where your misalignments are.
Atlas Orthogonal treatment would be impossible without these images.
Upper cervical chiropractors specialize in the most important part of your nervous system – the brain stem. Think of the brain stem as the junction box for your communication between the brain and the rest of your body.
Misalignment at the base of your skull can interfere with this communication. The most critical area to have properly aligned in your body is the vertebrae that are located below the skull (known as the atlas and axis – the first and second cervical vertebrae).
The upper cervical misalignment is the most complex and difficult region of the spine to align, but when correction is achieved the results can be simply amazing.
Specialized specific care also means that fewer adjustments will be needed.
The focus of upper cervical chiropractic is to establish the proper relation between the skull and the top vertebrae called the atlas. This removes any interference to the nervous system that may be present as a result of an atlas misalignment.
As the correction in the upper neck is achieved the entire body is brought back into balance as stress on posture nerves feeding the brain stem is relieved. This is why people with problems even in the lower part of their body respond well to the Atlas Orthogonal correction.
Patients notice changes throughout their entire body as normal alignment and posture is restored.
Atlas adjustments have full body consequences, while traditional chiropractic mobilizes stuck joints. This single segment focus has less of a full body affect.
Atlas adjustments help to restore your brain to body communication.
After your Atlas adjustment, your doctor will check to evaluate your nerve pressure to feel that it has been relieved and that the top vertebrae are now in proper alignment.
You will be also asked if there is any tenderness or soreness present.
Your doctor will also measure and validate that your body is in a state of balance and that your leg length analysis shows the legs are even.
The Atlas Orthogonal procedure is one of the most gentle chiropractic treatments in the world. It employs a unique approach that focuses solely on spinal adjustments and never involves twisting or cracking, which makes it safe for even those with severe fear of being manipulated.
Patients feel little to no discomfort during treatment as they are only feeling light pressure from their spine being adjusted without any other manipulation techniques used by more traditional chiropractors like popping joints back into place or adjusting them using rotational motions often seen in many forms of manual therapy.
One concern people have when thinking about visiting a chiropractor is safety. People often are scared because they have the wrong idea of what treatment will actually be like.
Because Atlas Orthogonal treatments are so precise these adjustments are extremely safe. The adjustment is delivered by an instrument that uses just 3 pounds of force.
Watch a Patient Describe Her First Atlas Adjustment
Contact us today to learn about Atlas Brain and Body and the many conditions we treat. 828-253-0700.
Dr. David Nygaard, MS, MBA
Board Certified Atlas Orthogonist
Atlas Brain and Body
(828) 253-0700
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In the 1958 Hitchcock film of the same name, vertigo is defined as, “A feeling of dizziness...a swimming in the head...figuratively a state in which all things seem to be engulfed by a whirlpool of terror.”
While the film definition is a bit dramatic, vertigo is generally described as a sensation that the world is spinning, tilting, or swaying. It can be accompanied by many related symptoms, such as lightheadedness, motion sickness, and problems with balance.
If you’ve ever taken a boat ride and then felt rubbery “sea legs” upon stepping onto solid ground, you know the feeling when the world around you isn’t where your body expects it to be. It can be disorienting and even terrifying--like your mind is playing tricks on you.
If any of this sounds like what you’re experiencing, let’s look at possible causes and treatments.
The false sense of rotational movement experienced by Scottie Ferguson in Vertigo is an extremely common symptom caused by many different possible conditions. (In his case, it was brought on by a traumatic event and accompanied by a related but separate malady: acrophobia, a fear of heights.)
Identifying what’s causing your vertigo and how to treat it can be a bit of a winding path too. Spoiler alert: around half of vertigo sufferers never end up identifying the cause. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be treated!
First, you need to meet with your doctor to try to determine whether you have peripheral vertigo or central vertigo.
Peripheral vertigo is caused by any condition that results in an imbalance in the inner ear. Around 80% of vertigo cases fall into this category. Inner ear conditions that can lead to vertigo include: labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis, cholesteatoma, and Ménière’s Disease.
Let’s look at Ménière’s Disease as an example, since it’s a common cause of vertigo. People with Ménière’s have fluid buildup in the inner ear, which can lead to attacks of vertigo with tinnitus (ringing in the ears), hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness in the affected ear. The exact cause is not well understood--it might be a blood vessel constriction, a viral infection, or an autoimmune reaction.
Central vertigo is caused by a problem in the central nervous system. This accounts for the remaining 20% of vertigo cases. Examples of conditions that may cause central vertigo include migraines, a head injury, or stroke.
One of the most common causes of central vertigo is migraines, which are extremely common in the United States--about 39 million Americans get migraines regularly. And as many as 40% have vestibular symptoms like vertigo.
Vertigo during pregnancy is also common--perhaps caused by (or related to) nausea, hormonal changes, and balance issues while the body is changing.
As you work with your doctor to determine and treat the possible underlying causes of your vertigo, you can make some basic lifestyle changes that can make a huge difference.
These include:
Eat healthy: Aim for a mostly plant-based diet and avoid sugar, alcohol, caffeine, and processed foods. Don’t skip meals.
Stay hydrated: Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.
Get active: Move your body each day--do yoga, go for walks, ride your bike, dance!
Practice good sleep hygiene: Get eight solid hours of sleep and keep your bedtime consistent.
Manage your stress: Meditate for ten minutes a day. Do breathing exercises.
The beauty here is that you can treat many possible causes of peripheral and central vertigo at once. Here’s why:
Atlas Orthogonal is an advanced chiropractic specialty which requires advanced training and specialty x-ray equipment and other approaches outside conventional chiropractic.
Though there are never any guarantees when it comes to health care, it is reassuring that Dr. David Nygaard is the only Board Certified Upper Cervical Doctor in WNC, and has practiced in WNC since 1997. He has treated many cases of vertigo, often with successful resolution.
Vertigo can make you feel out of control--but please know that many treatment options are available to you!
Set up a consultation with Dr. David Nygaard to discuss your specific experience. We’d love to help get you back on solid ground for good.
Contact us today to learn about Atlas Brain and Body and the many conditions we treat. 828-253-0700
Dr. David Nygaard, MS, MBA
Board Certified Atlas Orthogonist
Atlas Brain and Body
(828) 253-0700
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Those who depend on a morning cup of coffee or tea know the feeling of cloudiness that precedes their caffeine consumption--and how much clearer they feel afterward.
However, for some people, the feeling of brain fog continues throughout the day and never really lets go. They report feeling tired, hazy, and forgetful. They have a hard time focusing and an inability to concentrate. It’s also common to experience head pressure.
It can be difficult to tease out the causes and frightening to seek a diagnosis--especially when you feel like you can’t think straight. That is where an expert can help.
And the good news here is that the treatment is non-invasive and drug-free.
Upper cervical chiropractic treatment can be successful in treating brain fog because the brain depends on proper blood supply and spinal fluid circulation to function optimally.. If there is instability or misalignment in your upper cervical spine, it’s possible that the vertebral artery is obstructed and impeding blood flow to the brain. Or just as importantly, spinal fluid flow can be adversely altered. This can lead to brain fog and/or head pressure
Some patients report dramatic improvement, even after a single adjustment.
Consider the story of Callie, a patient who came in to see Dr. David Nygaard four months after a fall. She was suffering with headaches and a general feeling of cloudiness and mental confusion, a lot of pain in her neck, an inability to sleep, and discomfort all the time.
After her first adjustment, she was brought to tears as her central nervous system came back online for the first time since her fall.
“I can feel my brain again,” Callie said in a voice trembling with emotion. “I don’t know how else to say it. I feel like I can think the way I was thinking prior to the fall, not that I really noticed that I wasn’t myself as much as I’m noticing now that I feel like myself again now that I’ve had the adjustment. And it’s kind of overwhelming how a tiny little tap has affected me this morning. I’m looking forward to continuing, coming back, and getting better and better.”
Another patient, Donna, reported a similar experience: “When I first came to Dr. David Nygaard, I felt like my brain was dead, like my body was so disconnected. He did the Atlas adjustment, and after only a month, I feel like I’ve gotten my life back, I’m able to form words now. I’m really thankful for Dr. Nygaard and these adjustments. Just do it!”
Regardless of your specific situation, Dr. David Nygaard can properly diagnose if a neck injury is the cause of your brain fog and compromised functioning nerve system function.
An Atlas adjustment may be precisely what your brain is craving.
Contact us today to learn about Atlas Brain and Body and the many conditions we treat. 828-253-0700
Dr. David Nygaard, MS, MBA
Board Certified Atlas Orthogonist
Atlas Brain and Body
(828) 253-0700
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You never forget these sensations: the excruciating pain throbbing from deep inside your head. The fatigue, nausea, vomiting. Waiting it out in the quiet darkness of your bedroom cave for hours or even days.
The list of possible triggers is long and sometimes mysterious, including: hormonal changes, post-traumatic stress, neurological conditions, sleep disorders, dehydration, past injuries...and many other possible factors.
You may know what’s triggering your migraines and you may not, but one thing is certain: when you’re experiencing debilitating migraines on a regular basis, it can seriously affect your quality of life.
Now, we know that this journey can be long and winding and extremely frustrating—treatments can be costly and invasive and ultimately unsuccessful.
And that’s why we’re extra glad you found your way here—because Atlas Orthogonal chiropractic care is gentle, non-invasive, and has great success in the treatment of chronic migraines.
Avoid certain foods:
Some foods and drinks can trigger a migraine, such as red wine and other alcoholic beverages, aspartame, monosodium glutamate, meat tenderizers, processed meats, and yeast. Also be sure you’re not skipping meals.
Stay hydrated:
Drink eight eight-ounce glasses of water per day.
Get active:
Exercise can increase endorphins which are pain blockers.
Practice good sleep hygiene:
Get eight solid hours of sleep and keep your bedtime consistent.
Get regular chiropractic adjustments:
When the atlas is misaligned, it can restrict blood flow to the brain, impair proper spinal fluid flow, and ultimately compromise the nervous system. All of these issues are frequently the cause of migraines. Restoring proper alignment can bring relief by reducing the frequency and intensity of migraines over time, often with immediate results.
Sherry came in for help with migraines caused by a long-ago accident. She was in tremendous pain. Her regular doctor had suggested a neurologist who recommended surgery. She wanted to avoid surgery so she tried several therapies and other chiropractors—but she didn’t see improvement. Finally, she found Dr. Nygaard. Within a few days of her first adjustment, she felt a huge difference and then continued to improve. She avoided major surgery and has continued to see Dr. Nygaard regularly for many years.
Julie was having migraines that were becoming more intense and frequent and would put her out of commission for one to two days at a time. She had an MRI and was prescribed medication, but taking it made her feel like she was in “marshmallow cream.” She found Dr. Nygaard and found immediate relief after her first treatment. Three months after beginning treatment, she hadn’t experienced a single migraine.
Carlene was suffering from chronic migraines that were getting worse—to the point that she couldn’t work a full week. Her regular doctor prescribed medications, then she tried acupuncture, then she finally tried chiropractic. After just a few weeks of treatment with Dr. Nygaard, her migraines weren’t as frequent or severe. Now she’s ecstatic to be able to work normally and spend time on things that bring her joy.
(You can check out video interviews with these patients and more by clicking here.)
If any of this sounds familiar and you’re working hard to get your life back, we hope you’ll give us a call!
Contact us today to learn about Atlas Brain and Body and the many conditions we treat. 828-253-0700
Dr. David Nygaard, MS, MBA
Board Certified Atlas Orthogonist
Atlas Brain and Body
(828) 253-0700
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And, as if COVID-19 weren’t enough, now we’re heading into cold and flu season—and our bodies are already stressed after months of weathering a pandemic.
So it’s an excellent time to consider specific ways to improve your immunity and add some tools to your toolkit—including regular chiropractic care.
We know: you’ve heard all of these tips before! But we all need to re-evaluate how we’re doing across all of these categories from time to time.
Coming up with a few shifts toward healthier choices can make a big difference.
Studies have shown that people who get regular chiropractic care have improved immunity compared to those who don’t.
Ideally, the nervous system and the immune system work together to help you maintain optimal health.
Your body’s central nervous system is made up of your brain and spinal cord. Picture Grand Central Station: messages are constantly traveling through, from the brain to the body and from the body to the brain.
When all the trains are running on time, the nervous system can get a warning to the brain that there’s an intruder and trigger an immune response.
However, when there’s misalignment in the neck or spine, some train lines may start running late or shutting down altogether, disrupting an integral line of communication.
Your immune response may be delayed or nonexistent.
Chiropractic adjustments improve immunity by alleviating nerve compression and restoring proper alignment—improving body functions across the board.
Dr. David Nygaard is a huge fan of ramping up the immune system to avoid all types of injuries and illnesses.
Fortify yourself by setting up an evaluation and a regular treatment plan!
It’s an easy, natural, and holistic way to strengthen your defenses against whatever may come up to challenge your health in the future.
Contact us today to learn about Atlas Brain and Body and the many conditions we treat. 828-253-0700
Dr. David Nygaard, MS, MBA
Board Certified Atlas Orthogonist
Atlas Brain and Body
(828) 253-0700
Follow me on Facebook
Pain is a daily reality for many Americans. In fact, estimates put the number of chronic pain sufferers in the US at around 100 million. The sources of all that pain are as varied as the people who have the pain. You might grow up with a hereditary condition or get into a car accident. Some people contract diseases and others get sick from pollution in the environment.
People deal with their pain in all kinds of ways, such as prescriptions, physical therapy, hypnosis, and meditation. In some cases, though, a chiropractor can substantially reduce your pain just by moving some bones a little bit in the right way. This is understood as a chiropractic adjustments and there are few specialists in the orthogonal technique that help by employing an Atlas Chiropractic Adjustment.
Let's jump in and take a closer look at some of the benefits of an atlas chiropractic adjustment.
When your spine gets out of alignment, it puts pressure on your entire body.
Think of it as a little bit like your car tires getting out of alignment. You can still drive the car, but it takes more work.
The car pulls left or right, so you must constantly work at keeping it moving straight. If you don't get an alignment, the wheels wear unevenly. This diminishes performance even more.
When your vertebrae aren't in their correct position, they push the muscles around them out of place. These muscles put pressure on other muscles, which can put pressure on your joints.
Your joints work harder because of the increased pressure. This may increase your chances of developing a repetitive stress injury like carpal tunnel.
Chiropractic adjustments puts the spine back into its proper place. This reduces the pressure on your muscles, which reduces the pressure on your joints. The reduced pressure can improve joint movement.
Pain tires you out at both a physical and mental level and this is where an atlas chiropractic adjustment can help you get your health back.
Working when you're in pain takes a psychological effort. You must concentrate both on doing the task at hand and ignoring the pain.
At the same time, pain makes getting good sleep difficult. Poor sleep slows down healing and makes it clear thinking difficult.
Put all of that together and your work performance often suffers. It also makes social activities more difficult or even impossible.
Say you usually run as a method for burning off frustration. If you hurt your back, you're both in pain and unable to burn off your frustrations. Your stress level rises.
If one of your main social activities is also physical, like biking or playing basketball with friends, that's also off the board. You get cut off from your social network. This drives your stress level up even more.
An atlas chiropractic adjustment can lower your stress level simply by reducing your pain. Less pain means better sleep. That will improve mental clarity and speed up healing.
Your work won't suffer as much, so your stress goes down on that front. You'll get back to your social routines faster and enjoy the mental benefits of those activities.
An estimated 85 million Americans use properly prescribed medication for pain management. Some people use them for disease-related pain, but many people take them for issues like back or joint pain.
With growing concerns over the opioid epidemic, patients and doctors want more pain management options. Atlas Chiropractic adjustments offer one path to pain reduction.
Say you're moving into a larger apartment. You throw your back out while moving your couch or a dresser. You apply heat and take some ibuprofen, but the pain is still brutal.
On the face of it, your doctor doesn't have many options other than a fairly high-powered painkiller. Unless they can reduce the pain some other way.
A chiropractic adjustment can reduce moderate lower back pain just as well as getting a massage or taking over-the-counter medication. For many people, that can get them back to a close-to-normal level of activity.
If a back adjustment helps reduce your severe pain down to moderate levels, OTC painkillers become a real option.
Treating a condition often involves choosing between options because of potential drug interactions. It becomes a question of "What is the most pressing concern?"
Chiropractic treatments often prove a great addition to treatment plans because they are drug-free. You can take pain medication or blood pressure medicine and still get a back adjustment.
The main exception to that is when you suffer from something that affects bone health, like osteoporosis. Always talk with your primary physician first if you plan on getting chiropractic care.
In many cases, treatments focus on the symptoms of a condition. That even makes sense at times.
Take motion sickness as an example. People get motion sickness because of conflicting signals from their bodies about whether they are in motion. There isn't a cure for those mixed signals.
All that a doctor can do is offer something to quell symptoms like nausea and headaches.
In other cases, pain stems from an identifiable cause. A misaligned vertebra in the neck can cause headaches or migraines. A chiropractic adjustment can solve the cause of your headache and stop the pain as a byproduct.
Since a back adjustment or neck adjustment focuses on the cause of the pain, it also stands a better chance of working long-term. As long as the treatment focuses on the symptoms, there's a good chance the symptoms will return.
Some achiness or soreness is common after an adjustment. It's typically mild and often clears up within a few days.
An Atlas Chiropractic adjustment offers you many potential benefits.
It can improve your joint movement and reduce your stress level. It's also a drug-free pain management option. That makes it a viable addition to most treatment plans.
Chiropractic adjustments focus on dealing with what causes your condition, not just the symptoms.
Atlas Chiropractic offers several treatments including spinal adjustment, spinal disc decompression, and a specialization in upper neck treatment. If you're ready for a treatment that does more than mask symptoms, contact us today for a pre-consultation.
