Migraines

“After suffering from migraines for over 15 years (sometimes as long as 6 days a week) I read the article in the Local Value Magazine.  It sounded exactly like what I was looking for.  I have seen regular chiropractors and several different medical doctors, and the only result from that was different types of oral medication.  It was frustrating because I knew we were only treating the symptoms and not the cause of the problem. 

Since starting with Dr. Craig I have only had to use my prescription medication once and that was over 10 weeks ago.  The philosophy for treatment coincides perfectly with mine.

I am very happy with the results and tell anyone who has similar problems they should make an appointment ASAP.

Thanks for improving my quality of life so dramatically!”

~ Jacque L. 
   Littleton, Colorado

What issues initially brought you into the office? 
Migraines and occasional back pain/ stiffness.  

How have these issues affected your life? 
Migraines have affected my performance at work and at times has prevented me from enjoying friends, family and life.  Back pain has limited me with sports activities and workouts. What had you done before care here to help with the problem? I used lots of pain relievers, meditation, and sleep.

What improvements did you have after you started chiropractic care?
Since starting chiropractic care, I have had no migraines, become more fit physically, and my posture has improved dramatically.  I don’t get sick as often and I have more days of feeling good than bad. 

Would you recommend us to others? 
I already have.  Yes!

Anything else you’d like to share with us?
Other offices treat your symptoms or what the doctor may think is the problem.  This office treats the source of the problem through researching habits, diets, x-rays and total interaction with patients.  On top of that, this office looks to educate, teach and train people to live healthier lives.  This is invaluable to health care and is a total solution to America’s health issues. ~Miles M.

~ Miles M. 
   Aurora, Colorado

“I had been suffering from migraines for years and taking every medication under the sun.  Many of those medications caused me to rebound, which caused even more headaches.  Dr. Craig made adjustments to my back and neck and for the first time I have some relief.  I totally recommend Maximized Health Chiropractic to improve your way of life.”

~ Katie W. 
   Denver, Colorado

Jamie's Story

My life challenge with migraines started approximately eleven years ago.  I am now 29.  It has been a long and difficult debilitating road that has resulted in me writing my experience so I can hopefully help others to realize that prescription drugs and the so called help and advice of my many medical doctors are not the answer.  It all started when I was 18, and went to a medical doctor for what seemed like more than just regular headaches.  After answering the routine questions, I was diagnosed with migraines and given two prescriptions.  I proceeded to take these medications regularly that resulted in nothing but side-effects, i.e. tiredness, mood-swings, and irritability, not to mention that my headaches not only became more frequent, but more severe in pain as well.  I continued to take these medications because I was convinced it was just a side effect and that eventually they would help me, this continued for two years.
 
After succumbing to the realization that these medications were not helping, I sought a second opinion from another medical doctor.  He also diagnosed me with migraines, going forth with the same treatment- drug therapy.  Over the course of the next two to three years I ingested drug after drug after drug.  I was prescribed the popular Imitrex, which simulated a heart-attack that landed me in the emergency room; Zomig, which resulted in hallucinations and the feeling of my flesh burning, and a variety of other drugs that to this day I can not pronounce let alone try to remember.  Needless to say that doctor gave up and admitted that he could no longer help me and referred me to a neurologist. 
 
I started seeing a neurologist in late 1998 who was recognized as one of the best neurologists in Colorado.  After my initial consultation I was re-assured he could help, so I agreed to more drug therapy and an MRI.  The MRI showed absolutely no signs of tumors or other medical findings that would indicate any root cause, so on came more drugs.  Now keep in mind that at this time I was a slender, (somewhat) healthy, energetic 23 year old, weighing 150-155 lbs and standing 5’8.  

I was prescribed medication after medication with none working and me feeling worse and worse as the days went by.  I was given anything and everything this doctor could think of when all of a sudden he had an epiphany, and sent me to get a lumbar puncture (spinal tap).  When the results came in it was clear to him that I did not have migraines, but a condition called pseudo-tumor cerebri.  (This in lemans terms meant “fake tumor.”  According to him I had too much spinal fluid surrounding my brain which increased the pressure thus, headaches.  BINGO!!!  HE HAD IT!!!!!!! 
With that new diagnosis, I had mixed feelings.  On one hand I thought he had finally found the answer.  On the other hand, what was I going to be faced with?  Well, I was faced with nothing but sheer misery.  The concoction of drugs I had to take was ridiculous.  On a normal day I ended up taking around 15-20 pills, and even more so if I had a bad day, without feeling any sense of relief from the migraines. 

Now mind you, while going through this ordeal I sought out alternative therapy which included chiropractic care, shock wave therapy, acupuncture, holistic oils and pills, and changes in my diet.  Nothing worked.  I felt and looked horrible.  During the course of my treatments and all prescription drugs ingested, I had gained more than 50 lbs, and noticed acne as a direct result. 

I had no motivation, energy or will to try anything else.  I gave up, I thru all the pills in the trash, and quit seeing my neurologist.  Wouldn’t you know after a few weeks of no pills I felt better, my skin cleared up and I had hope again.  Although the migraines still persisted, I was still happy to feel better. 
After a conversation with my boss at the time, and her witnessing what I had gone thru, she recommended me to see this doctor she had heard of one that specialized in my new diagnosis, who just so happened to be in Oklahoma City.  So she kindly gave me the time off, paid for my car rental and hotel stay, and off we went.  (Nice boss huh!?!) 

I arrived only to find out that this doctor wanted to surgically implant a shunt into my brain that fed down thru my neck and into my abdomen to relieve the pressure in my head, but before he went any further he suggested I go see a friend of his, a neuro-ophthalmologist, who he said would look deep into the back of my eyes to confirm the diagnosis. So again, off I went.  After the exam he came back into the room to tell me I had been misdiagnosed and did not have this condition at all.  I may have, at one point or another, but at this time for no apparent reason I just simply had migraines.  Nothing more, nothing less.  He then prayed for me, and we left.

I drove back to Colorado thinking the mission was a failure.  I had gone there in hopes of finding my magic cure, and was deflated and frustrated that I had once again come to a dead end, not to mention I was furious at the fact that according to this doctor I was misdiagnosed and had been taking thousands of dollars worth of meds that I never needed in the first place.

As you can imagine I was beside myself.  I felt I had no other options, so I relented, and went back to the same neurologist that misdiagnosed me and told him the story.  Of course he disagreed and gave me several new prescriptions.  I thought I had no other choice until a friend of mine suggested his chiropractor.

I will admit I was very skeptical and told him thanks, but no thanks.  After all, I had been to a chiropractor and he hadn’t helped me at all, besides lighten my checkbook.  After about a month of persuasion and talking to a massage therapist who just so happened to work in that same chiropractor’s office, I made the call.  It was a call I will never regret.

Dr Craig Burns and his staff have undoubtedly changed my life.  After an exam, six X-rays and a little bit of simple teachings, Dr. Craig has not only shown me the reason behind eleven years of hell, but how he will actually help me correct the problem WITHOUT DRUGS!!!!  He was the first doctor to be interested in fixing the problem, not masking it.  He wants me to live and be healthy the way God intended. 

Dr. Craig and his staff have shown and taught me the correct way to live, eat, think and to one day become the person I once was.  To this day I have only received roughly 30 adjustments and 15 traction treatments within the span of a couple months, and have noticed a significant reduction of not only the frequency but the severity of my migraines as well.

I am happier, I feel better, and I am very optimistic that one day I will be migraine free!!

I recommend Dr. Craig to anyone who will listen to me - family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances, and sometimes people I don’t even know!  I believe Dr. Craig is not only the best doctor I have ever had the pleasure of seeing, but a fabulous mentor in maximized health as well. 

Dr. Craig has changed my life, and for that I cannot express enough gratitude…

Thank you Dr. Craig for giving me my life back!

Respectfully,

Jamie R.