Realigning Migraine Treatment

How are people diagnosed with migraines? Unfortunately it’s largely based on patient testimony and their descriptions of their symptoms, there is no medical test or study to diagnose them. Not having an objective scientific way to identify migraines in patients also means that it’s also incredibly challenging to identify a root cause for migraines hence why so many patients’ treatments are centered around pain relief versus eliminating the migraines. One treatment plan that can offer long term relief from migraines is jaw and bite realignment.

Current Diagnosis Track

As we mentioned before, there aren’t currently any tests that reliably diagnose migraines. Doctors make a determination by relying on the tools they do have.

• Physical examinations
• Medical history
• Migraine “triggers”
• Symptoms
• Family history 

Patients supply most migraine evidence which makes diagnosis not 100 percent accurate. The medical tests doctors can use include CT scans, MRI, and blood tests to rule out other causes making migraine diagnosis a diagnosis of exclusion. 

The Epigenetic Orthodontics Approach

One promising treatment option for chronic migraines is the realignment of the jaw and bite. The “bite” being how the teeth fit together. If a person’s bite doesn’t coincide with how their jaw aligns optimally, it causes strain of the temporomandibular joint, jaw muscles and more importantly the upper part of the neck. 

This strain encourages the development of forward head posture and presents with a hunched appearance. All of the adjusting the body does to compensate for the poor alignment causes migraines. By easing this tension with advanced neuromuscular dental treatment including functional orthodontics, most patients can experience real relief without depending on pain-relievers.

Correcting Jaw and Bite Alignment

How do dental professionals find the correct bite alignment? One option is to measure the electrical activity of the chewing muscles – surface Electromyography (sEMG). This process is similar to measuring the electrical activity of the heart with an EKG. By measuring the electrical activity in the chewing and neck muscles, doctors can diagnose the proper jaw / bite alignment and are able to offer treatment options to achieve it.

Cutting Out the Root of Migraines

Patients interested in learning if a jaw and bite realignment would relieve their migraines can schedule a consultation with Dr. Buck by calling our office at 425-361-7499.