If you live in Southaven, MS, and migraines are a regular part of your life, you already know how debilitating they can be. The throbbing pain, the light and sound sensitivity, the nausea — sometimes the only option feels like lying in a dark room and waiting it out. You’ve probably tried medications, maybe even prescription triptans. They might take the edge off, but they don’t fix anything. The migraines keep coming back.
What if the root cause had less to do with your brain chemistry and more to do with a misalignment in the top of your neck? That’s exactly what Dr. David Hall and Dr. Troy Reistroffer at Desoto Upper Cervical in Southaven, MS explore with every migraine patient who walks through their door — and for many people, correcting that misalignment changes everything.
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What Is a Migraine, and Why Is It Different from a Regular Headache?
Most people use the word “headache” and “migraine” interchangeably, but they’re very different conditions. A regular tension headache typically feels like a dull, squeezing pressure around the head. A migraine is a neurological event — one that can include intense, pulsing pain (usually on one side), nausea or vomiting, visual disturbances called auras, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraines can last anywhere from four hours to three days, and for many sufferers, they strike multiple times a month.
According to the American Migraine Foundation, more than 39 million Americans suffer from migraines, making it one of the most common neurological disorders in the country. And yet, for millions of people, the underlying trigger is never properly identified or addressed — they’re just handed a prescription and told to manage their symptoms.
The Upper Cervical Spine and Migraines: A Connection Worth Knowing
Here’s something most people aren’t told by their primary care doctor: the top two vertebrae in your spine — the atlas (C1) and the axis (C2) — sit in one of the most neurologically sensitive areas of your entire body. Right at the junction where your skull meets your spine, critical structures converge: the brainstem, the trigeminal nerve (the primary pain pathway involved in migraines), the vertebral arteries that carry blood flow to the brain, and the upper cervical spinal cord.
When the atlas shifts out of its proper position — even by a fraction of a millimeter — it can create a cascade of neurological and vascular disturbances. That means nerve irritation, altered blood flow, and interference with the brainstem’s ability to regulate pain signals. For migraine sufferers, this is a big deal. Many researchers and upper cervical specialists believe that atlas misalignment is a significant and often overlooked contributing factor in chronic migraines.
A landmark study published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research found that patients receiving upper cervical chiropractic care reported significant reductions in both migraine frequency and intensity. Other peer-reviewed studies have shown similar results, pointing to the upper cervical spine as a clinically meaningful piece of the migraine puzzle.
How an Atlas Subluxation Can Trigger a Migraine
A subluxation is the term used to describe a vertebra that has shifted out of its ideal alignment and is creating neurological stress on the surrounding tissues. When the atlas subluxates, several things can happen simultaneously — all of which are linked to migraine onset:
- Brainstem compression or irritation: The brainstem runs through the upper cervical canal. Even slight pressure or irritation from a misaligned atlas can disrupt normal brainstem function, including its ability to regulate pain perception and sensory processing.
- Trigeminal nerve sensitization: The trigeminal nucleus — the brain structure that processes facial and head pain — extends down into the upper cervical spinal cord. Irritation in the C1–C2 region can directly sensitize this nerve complex, lowering the threshold for migraine attacks.
- Vertebral artery compression: The vertebral arteries travel through openings in the cervical vertebrae on their way to the brain. Misalignment at the atlas can place mechanical stress on these arteries, affecting cerebral blood flow — a known factor in migraine development.
- Cervicogenic referred pain: Tight muscles and joint dysfunction at the upper cervical level can refer pain directly into the head, amplifying or triggering the migraine cycle.
The result is a nervous system that is essentially stuck in a hyper-sensitized, reactive state — one that is far more prone to triggering a migraine in response to everyday stressors like light, hormonal changes, or even skipping a meal.
Atlas Orthogonal and Orthospinology: Precision Techniques for Migraine Relief
At Desoto Upper Cervical, Drs. Hall and Reistroffer use two of the most precise upper cervical techniques available — Atlas Orthogonal and Orthospinology — to identify and correct atlas subluxations. These aren’t your typical chiropractic adjustments. There’s no forceful twisting, cracking, or popping of the neck. Instead, both techniques use detailed three-dimensional X-ray analysis to map the exact position of your atlas, then deliver a highly specific, gentle correction tailored to your individual misalignment pattern.
Atlas Orthogonal uses a specialized instrument that delivers a precise, low-force percussive wave to the atlas, guiding it back toward its optimal position without any manual manipulation. Patients often describe not feeling much at all during the adjustment — yet the results speak for themselves.
Orthospinology takes a similar precision-first approach, using biomechanical calculations based on your X-ray findings to deliver a customized correction. Like Atlas Orthogonal, the adjustment is gentle and targeted, making it appropriate for people of all ages and health backgrounds — including those who have previously been told they’re “not a candidate” for chiropractic care.
When the atlas is restored to its proper alignment, the pressure and irritation on the brainstem, trigeminal nucleus, and vertebral arteries is relieved. For many migraine sufferers, this translates to fewer episodes, less severe attacks, and — for some — a significant reduction in reliance on migraine medications.
What Does Upper Cervical Care for Migraines Look Like at Desoto Upper Cervical?
Every new patient at Desoto Upper Cervical starts with a comprehensive consultation and a thorough history, giving Drs. Hall and Reistroffer the full picture of your migraine pattern — how often they occur, how long they last, what triggers them, and what you’ve already tried. From there, a precise set of upper cervical X-rays is taken to evaluate the exact position of your atlas and axis vertebrae.
The analysis phase is where the real precision begins. Using the X-ray findings, the doctors calculate your specific misalignment vector — the direction, angle, and degree of your atlas subluxation. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Every correction is customized to your anatomy.
Your care plan is built around the findings. Some patients need more frequent visits early on to hold the correction; others find that their atlas holds well and requires less frequent attention. Progress is monitored over time, and follow-up X-rays are used to confirm alignment. The goal isn’t just to manage your migraines — it’s to restore neurological function so your body can regulate itself the way it’s designed to.
You Don’t Have to Just Live with Migraines
Too many migraine sufferers in the Southaven area have been told — either explicitly or implicitly — that migraines are just something they have to manage for life. That the best they can do is keep a supply of medication handy and hope for the best. We’d like to offer a different perspective.
If you’ve never had your upper cervical spine evaluated as a potential contributing factor to your migraines, that’s a conversation worth having. Drs. David Hall and Troy Reistroffer have helped patients throughout Southaven, Olive Branch, Memphis, and the greater DeSoto County area find lasting relief from chronic migraines — not by masking symptoms, but by addressing the structural dysfunction that may be driving them.
Ready to Find Out If Your Atlas Is the Missing Piece?
If migraines are interfering with your work, your family life, or just your ability to enjoy a normal day, Desoto Upper Cervical is here to help. Call us at (662) 393-4848 to schedule your consultation, or find us at 1134 Church Rd W, Southaven, MS 38671. You can also learn more about our approach at desotouppercervical.com.
Your first step is finding out whether an atlas subluxation is part of your story. We’ll take it from there.
Frequently Asked Questions About Upper Cervical Care and Migraines
Can a chiropractor actually help with migraines?
Yes — and upper cervical chiropractors in particular have a strong track record with migraine patients. Because upper cervical care focuses on the atlas and axis vertebrae at the base of the skull, it directly addresses structures that are neurologically linked to migraine activity, including the brainstem, trigeminal nerve complex, and vertebral arteries. Multiple clinical studies have documented reductions in migraine frequency and severity following upper cervical chiropractic care.
What is the connection between the atlas (C1) and migraines?
The atlas is the top vertebra in the spine, located right beneath the skull. When it shifts out of alignment — even slightly — it can place pressure on the brainstem and irritate the trigeminal nerve nucleus, both of which are directly involved in migraine onset. Restoring proper atlas alignment through techniques like Atlas Orthogonal or Orthospinology can reduce this neurological irritation and interrupt the migraine cycle.
Is upper cervical chiropractic care safe for migraine sufferers?
Absolutely. Upper cervical care using Atlas Orthogonal and Orthospinology is exceptionally gentle — there’s no forceful neck manipulation involved. The corrections are low-force and highly specific, making this approach safe for virtually all patients, including those with severe migraines, cervical arthritis, or previous neck injuries.
How long does it take to see improvement in migraines with upper cervical care?
Results vary from person to person. Some patients notice a reduction in migraine frequency after their very first correction; for others, improvement builds gradually over several weeks of care. The key factor is whether an atlas subluxation is a significant contributor to your migraines — and for many chronic migraine sufferers, it is. Drs. Hall and Reistroffer will give you a realistic expectation based on your specific X-ray findings and clinical history.
Do I have to stop taking my migraine medication to receive upper cervical care?
No. Upper cervical chiropractic care is a complementary approach and does not require you to discontinue any medications prescribed by your physician. Many patients find that as their atlas alignment improves, they naturally need their medications less frequently — but any changes to your medication regimen should always be made in consultation with your prescribing doctor.
What makes Desoto Upper Cervical different from a regular chiropractor for migraines?
Most general chiropractors treat the entire spine and may use broad manipulation techniques. Desoto Upper Cervical specializes exclusively in the upper cervical spine — specifically the atlas and axis. Using precision X-ray analysis and the Atlas Orthogonal and Orthospinology techniques, Drs. Hall and Reistroffer deliver corrections that are far more specific and targeted than traditional chiropractic adjustments. For conditions like migraines that have a clear neurological and structural component rooted in the upper cervical region, this level of precision matters.
Does Desoto Upper Cervical treat patients from outside of Southaven?
Yes. The clinic serves patients from throughout DeSoto County and the greater Mid-South region, including Memphis, Olive Branch, Horn Lake, and Hernando. If you’re traveling for care, the team at Desoto Upper Cervical is happy to work with your schedule.
