MIGRAINES
A Brainstem, Sensory & Upper Cervical Perspective
The Brain & Body Clinic – St. Petersburg, FL
Dr. Theo Berlingeri, DC
Migraines are in a category of their own. They’re intense, unpredictable, and for many people, completely life-altering. But despite how debilitating they are, most migraine sufferers never get a real explanation for why their brain is so sensitive, why certain triggers set them off, or why medications lose their effectiveness over time.
If you’ve been told:
“Your migraines are genetic.”
“It’s stress.”
“Just avoid your triggers.”
…you’ve been given pieces of the picture, not the whole story.
Migraines are a sensory processing problem, rooted in the way the brainstem, cervical spine, and cranial nerves integrate information from the world.
And nothing influences that system more than the upper cervical spine.
Why Migraines Begin in the Brainstem
At the base of your skull lies the trigeminocervical complex — the control center where neck input, facial input, and brainstem sensory pathways meet. When this region becomes irritated or overloaded, the brain becomes hypersensitive.
That hypersensitivity shows up as:
Light + sound sensitivity
Aura or visual changes
Nausea
Head pressure
Throbbing one-sided pain
Dizziness or imbalance
Brain fog
Neck tension
This system is extremely reactive — and the atlas (C1) plays a major role in how calm or overwhelmed it becomes.
When the atlas misaligns, even slightly, it can:
Increase brainstem irritation
Distort blood flow around the head
Change CSF movement
Tighten suboccipital muscles
Overload the trigeminal system
Activate the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight)
Decrease proprioceptive accuracy
This combination is a perfect storm for migraine creation.
Why the Atlas Matters So Much for Migraine Sufferers
If you notice your migraines often accompany:
Neck stiffness
Head tilting in photos
Worsening with stress
Worsening with computer work
Dizziness, disequilibrium, or visual strain
TMJ tension
Post-concussion symptoms
Weather changes
…chances are your upper neck is heavily involved.
Patients say things like:
“My migraines always start at the base of my skull.”
“I can tell when my neck is out — the migraines come back.”
“The pressure behind my eyes is intense.”
This isn’t coincidence. It’s neuroanatomy.
A Brain-Based, Multi-System Approach to Migraine Relief
At The Brain & Body Clinic, migraine care blends Upper Cervical Chiropractic, Advanced Orthogonal, TRT, Applied Kinesiology, Functional Neurology, and NET to address the sensory overload, structural dysfunction, and emotional triggers that fuel migraines.
This is not a one-size-fits-all approach — it’s precise, targeted, and centered around how your brain is processing information.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic (Advanced Orthogonal)
This technique is the foundation of migraine relief for many patients. Using a gentle, sound-wave correction, we restore atlas alignment without any twisting, cracking, or popping.
How Upper Cervical care helps migraines:
Reduces irritation in the trigeminocervical complex
Decreases pressure on the brainstem
Normalizes CSF flow
Improves blood flow to the head
Decompresses the suboccipital muscles
Regulates autonomic nervous system balance
Reduces sensory hypersensitivity
This is why patients often say their migraines become less frequent, less intense, or completely disappear as the upper neck stabilizes.
👉 Learn more:
https://www.drtheochiropractic.com/upper-cervical
Torque Release Technique (TRT): Calming the Autonomic Storm
Migraines often flare when the nervous system is already overwhelmed or stuck in fight-or-flight mode. TRT uses a precise neurological impulse to help reorganize spinal cord patterns and reduce the “stress signature” that keeps migraines coming back.
Great for:
Stress-triggered migraines
Hormonal migraines
Sleep-related migraines
Tension + migraine combinations
👉 https://www.drtheochiropractic.com/torque-release-technique
Applied Kinesiology + Functional Neurology
Migraines are deeply tied to sensory processing, which means anything from eye movement dysfunction to jaw imbalance to inhibited neck muscles can contribute.
With AK + FN, we evaluate:
Cranial nerve function
Vestibular system responses
Eye tracking + visual reflexes
TMJ involvement
Postural reflexes
Neuromuscular inhibition
Sensory integration patterns
When the brain receives distorted information from the body, migraines are often the symptom. Correcting faulty input helps the brain feel safe again.
👉 https://www.drtheochiropractic.com/applied-kinesiology
NET (Neuro Emotional Technique) for Emotional + Limbic Triggers
Many migraine sufferers notice flare-ups with grief, conflict, stress, or emotional overwhelm.
That’s because the limbic system directly connects to the pain centers of the brainstem.
NET helps release stored emotional patterns that repeatedly trigger the migraine pathway.
This approach is especially helpful for patients with:
Trauma history
Unresolved emotional stress
Stress-triggered migraines
Chronic patterns that don’t match scans or labs
👉 https://www.drtheochiropractic.com/net
Your First Visit: A Neurological Deep Dive
During your exam, we assess the exact pathways causing your migraines. This includes:
Digital orthogonal X-rays
Head tilt + posture analysis
Cranial nerve and vestibular testing
Suboccipital muscle assessment
Sensory integration checks
TMJ balance evaluation
Neurological muscle testing
TRT baseline mapping
Review of triggers, patterns, and history
The goal is simple:
Find the root cause of your migraine cycle and create a tailored plan to break it.
Signs Your Migraines Are Upper Cervical in Origin
You may be in the right place if your migraines:
Start at the base of your skull
Occur with dizziness or light sensitivity
Worsen with sitting, studying, or computer use
Flare after stress or emotional tension
Started after a fall, accident, or concussion
Include pressure behind the eyes
Come with neck pain or stiffness
These patterns are classic indicators of atlas involvement.
Why Patients Choose The Brain & Body Clinic for Migraine Relief
✔ One of the only Advanced Orthogonal doctors in St. Pete
✔ Specializes in neurology-based migraine care
✔ Focus on helping your body hold alignment
✔ Integrates structural, neurological, and emotional systems
✔ Gentle, safe, non-invasive care
People travel here because their migraines stop making sense — and they’re ready to understand the deeper neurological cause.
Let’s Get You Relief
Migraines don’t have to control your life.
You deserve answers — and a plan that addresses your brain and body together.
👉 Book Your First Visit
https://www.drtheochiropractic.com/contact
👉 Explore Our Brain-Based Approach
https://www.drtheochiropractic.com.
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