Headaches plague almost all people at some point in their life. But did you know that there is no such thing as a “normal headache?”

The answer is “no.”

A headache is a symptom – a way that your body tells you that you’re out of balance. The most common remedy people reach for when they have a headache is an aspirin or ibuprofen – but do you think your body is telling you that you have an aspirin imbalance?

While there are many causes for headaches, including dehydration, stress, and allergies, a group of physical therapists in Australia found the root cause of the majority of tension headaches was a misalignment of the vertebrae at the top of the spine: an Atlas misalignment.

The study, published in the December 2010 journal, Manual Therapy, reaffirms what a specifically trained group of Chiropractors, known as Upper Cervical Specialists, have known for decades. That proper alignment at the top vertebrae in the spine is crucial for good health and well-being.

Drs. Ted and Katy Morter, trained in various forms of Upper Cervical techniques, know that headaches are not the only symptoms that arise when your atlas is out of balance.

“The (atlas) is possibly the most complicated bone in the body, with direct connections to the balance centers of the brain, the subconscious functioning of your body, muscle tone and balance throughout the body, as well as a major contributor to blood flow to your brain,” says Dr. Katy. “Symptoms like headaches, digestive issues, reproductive issues, and even plantar fasciitis and back pain have improved or even disappeared with proper atlas alignment.”

To learn if you have an Atlas misalignment, arrange a visit with one of our doctors by calling 479-268-4477.