Dwyane Wade, Migraines and Upper Cervical

Dwyane Wade, Migraines and NUCCA

by Dr. William R. Davis Jr.

One of NBA Basketball‘s most exciting players Dwyane Wade continues to battle migraine headaches.

"Most of the time it lasts for four days," Wade said. "This time, the effects are going into the third day. I’m doing everything with the doctors, but there are certain things you can’t control."

Or can you?

Is it possible that there is an underlying cause associated with your migraines Dwyane?

If you got to the underlying cause would it be possible to prevent these migraines?

Would it be possible to eliminate them completely?

Dwyane Wade is a very physical player. He frequently dives on the floor and has had several head and neck traumas over the years. Here is one example of Wade whacking his head on the ground in the playoffs a few years ago. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3ksc5_bpYw

What happens when you get head and neck traumas?

Well these accidents and injuries can tear loose the connective tissue that holds the spine in place and create a weakness, which then allows the spine to breakdown and lock into a stressed position.
Now I am sure that the Miami Heat have a staff Chiropractor, as almost all professional sports team do. But to get to this problem he may need a more advanced approach than general chiropractic. Learn more from a recent WebMD story http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/news/20070316/chiropractic-cuts-blood-pressure

If Mr. Wade has a misalignment in the upper neck at the base of the brain, blood flow has been shown to be effected. Research is demonstrating that these misalignments in the upper neck at the level of the Atlas can be an underlying cause with several vascular conditions such as Migraine Headaches, High Blood Pressure, Multiple Sclerosis and others. The veins that drain the brain are not working the way that they are supposed to be.

The main way that this takes place is the physical trauma associated with head and neck injuries.

The only way to safely, precisely and gently realign the spine is by acquiring precise upper cervical x-rays. Once the upper neck is viewed from all three directions then a plan can be put together to correct this complex condition. The NUCCA procedure is very effective at restoring the upper neck to it’s proper alignment.

(Editor's note: Remember the objective of upper cervical care is to correct head neck misalignment that is interfering with proper brain to body communication. When this is corrected the body functions at a higher level and can often correct other problems more efficiently on its own. Please do not confuse upper cervical care as a treatment for any condition, disease or symptom.)

Football, Concussions And Upper Cervical Care

Concussions During Football Season

By Dr. Adam Tanase

Despite vast improvements in protection equipment, athletes of all skill levels are still experiencing frequent concussions.

While modern medicine has a firm grasp on the dangers of this type of injury, much of the general public remains in the dark. A surprising number of students, parents, coaches and players don’t think concussions are a big deal. In fact, countless patients have told me (often with a smile on their face) that they’ve suffered a concussion.

It’s tempting to assume that if brain surgery wasn’t required, then the injury had no effect on them, so it must be okay to play in next week’s game.

According to the Mayo Clinic,

“Concussions range in significance from minor to major, but they all share one common factor — they temporarily interfere with the way your brain works. They can affect memory, judgment, reflexes, speech, balance and coordination.

Usually caused by a blow to the head, concussions don’t always involve a loss of consciousness. In fact, most people who have concussions never black out. Some people have had concussions and not even realized it.

Concussions are common, particularly if you play a contact sport such as football. But every concussion, no matter how mild, injures your brain. This injury needs time and rest to heal properly. Luckily, most concussions are mild and people usually recover fully.”

I’d like to append this description by saying that concussions have two things in common. The second being trauma to the neck.

After receiving the proper neurological exam from a medical practitioner, I believe that concussion sufferers should then receive a follow-up evaluation from an upper cervical doctor. Forces of this magnitude can absolutely cause damage to the spine and it’s supportive muscles, ligaments and soft tissues. Therefore the head and neck should both be properly evaluated.

Unfortunately, a high percentage of people (even some medical providers) aren’t aware that this experience can be the precipitating event for spinal degeneration and health problems which surface months or years down the road. So the earlier you address this damage, the easier it is to correct. In many cases you can limit (and often prevent) subsequent damage by handling it sooner rather than later.

(Editor's note: Remember the objective of upper cervical care is to correct head neck misalignment that is interfering with proper brain to body communication. When this is corrected the body functions at a higher level and can often correct other problems more efficiently on its own. Please do not confuse upper cervical care as a treatment for concussion or any other condition, disease or symptom.)