migraines

Migraines can disrupt every part of life—from work and family to sleep and everyday activities. At Rapid Chiro, we look beyond temporary symptom management to determine whether dysfunction involving the upper cervical spine may be contributing to your migraines. Our goal is to identify the underlying problem, create a personalized plan, and help you get back to living life with fewer limitations.

What Are Migraines?

Migraines are more than just severe headaches. They can involve throbbing pain, nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, visual disturbances, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating. For many people, they interfere with work, family life, and the activities they enjoy.

While medications may help manage symptoms, they don't always answer an important question:

Why are the migraines happening in the first place?

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A detailed anatomical illustration of a human skull with nerve and blood vessel pathways, highlighting the upper cervical region.

Could Your Neck Be Involved?

The upper cervical spine sits immediately beneath the skull, surrounding the transition between the brain and spinal cord. This region is also where important arteries travel toward the brain and where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—the clear fluid that cushions the brain and spinal cord—circulates between the skull and the spinal canal.

Normal movement of the head and neck contributes to the mechanical environment around these structures. Researchers continue to study how head and neck motion, muscle tension, and the tissues surrounding the upper cervical region may influence venous drainage, arterial blood flow, and CSF dynamics. These relationships are complex and not yet fully understood.

The upper cervical joints also contain one of the highest concentrations of sensory receptors in the body. These receptors constantly send information to the brain about head position, balance, and movement. When the upper cervical joints are not functioning normally, that sensory input may change, potentially contributing to headaches or migraines in some individuals.

How we Evaluate

  • A man and a woman seated on an examination table in a medical office, looking at a paper together. The woman has curly hair and wears a white sweater and dark skirt. The man has straight, dark hair, a beard, a black shirt, and gray pants. There are framed medical illustrations and a TV on the wall behind them, and a medical equipment device mounted on the wall.

    Consultation

    We take the time to understand your health history, migraine symptoms, previous injuries, and your goals.

  • A woman undergoing an upper cervical x-ray procedure.

    Digital X-rays

    If indicated, specialized upper cervical X-rays allow us to evaluate the alignment of the upper neck with precision.

  • A woman with long blonde hair wearing a headband with sensors, performing functional neurology tests.

    NeckCare Functional Testing

    The neck contains some of the highest concentrations of sensory receptors in the body. We use NeckCare technology to objectively measure range of motion, joint position accuracy, and sensorimotor control. These tests help us understand how well your neck is functioning and provide measurable data we can track over time.

    You won’t find testing like this anywhere else in the Black Hills.

  • Dr. Kyle performing posture screen software to analyze a patient's posture.

    Posture Analysis

    Your posture provides valuable insight into how your body is adapting to gravity. Even small shifts in head and shoulder position can place additional stress on the muscles and joints of the neck.

    Using digital posture analysis, we objectively measure alignment rather than relying on visual observation alone. This gives us a baseline that we can compare throughout care.

Dr. Kyle making his pre adjustment measurements.

Why Precision Matters

No two people have the exact same anatomy, injury history, or movement patterns. That's why we don't believe every patient should receive the same adjustment.

Our goal is to gather as much objective information as possible before making a correction. Every step—from posture analysis and specialized X-rays to functional testing—is designed to help us determine whether an upper cervical correction is appropriate and, if so, exactly how to perform it.

Rather than relying on force, our approach emphasizes specificity. A precise correction is designed to work with your anatomy, not against it.

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  • Dr. Kyle and Dr. Riley have been so welcoming as a new resident to the community. I have been under chiropractic care for more than a few years now, but their approach to nervous system health, regulation, and restoration has completely shifted my perspective on how the body really heals. I have suffered from migraines and mood swings ever since my teenage years, and have found the most profound relief since being a part of this office. They are meticulous at what they do and love people as if they are family! I highly recommend if you are looking for people who truly care about helping you get your life back on track.

    —Joushua M.

  • Dr Kyle is the best!! I came in with migraines and neck pain. Not only did those get better, but my anxiousness and brain fog have seen significant improvements. Aside from the results, the office is so warm and welcoming!

    —Grant B.

  • The most amazing chiropractor, has helped significantly decrease my migraines! He takes so much care for his patients and wants to see you get better

    —Kamryn B.

  • I have tried several chiropractors for my migraines and back pain! The day of my appointment I had the worst migraine. Dr Kyle was gentle and patient with me during the consult, exam and X-rays. He allowed me to come back after hours to get an adjustment to hopefully help with the relief of my migraine. He even called later to check in on how I was doing. I have since been back and been doing regular adjustments, I used to think back pain was something I had to live with . I am nearly pain free. Thank you Dr Kyle!!

    —Alissa O.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • For some people, dysfunction involving the upper neck may contribute to headaches or migraines. Our goal is to determine whether that's a factor in your case.

  • Upper cervical chiropractic uses a gentle, precise approach that typically does not involve twisting or forceful rotation of the neck.

  • If clinically appropriate, specialized X-rays help us understand the unique alignment of your upper neck and guide care.

  • Your first visit is approximately one hour.

    During that time, we'll take the time to understand your health history, discuss your migraine symptoms and goals, perform a detailed examination, evaluate your posture, and determine whether specialized upper cervical imaging is appropriate.

    Our goal isn't to rush you through an appointment—it's to gather the information needed to understand whether the upper cervical spine may be contributing to your condition and develop a personalized plan based on objective findings.

  • Not usually. Our first priority is understanding exactly what's going on. If additional imaging or testing is needed, we'll review those findings before making any recommendations. This approach allows us to provide care that's based on objective information rather than guesswork.

  • The cost of your initial visit depends on the specific examination procedures and testing the doctor determines are appropriate for your individual case. Every patient is different, and we tailor the evaluation based on your history, symptoms, and clinical findings.

    If you'd like to learn more about what your visit may include or receive an estimate based on your situation, our team would be happy to help. Please give our office a call, and we'll answer any questions you have before scheduling.

Get started today.

Schedule your NO COST CONSULTATION today!

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