The Premier Integrative Applied Neurology and Therapeutic Laser Center of Arizona

Headache/Migraine Program

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MIGRAINES AND HEADACHES HAVE MULTIPLE POTENTIAL CAUSES.

Regarding the structural and neurological aspects, evaluating a patient for chronic headaches or migraines, we assess the neck, the head, the muscles, and how they all work together. We also must consider how the neurological system is integrating which includes:

  • the oculomotor system (eyes)
  • the inner ear system (vestibular)
  • the balance and coordination systems (cerebellum)
  • the fuel supply (autonomic system)
  • the motoric system (frontal lobe)
  • the limbic system (emotions and thoughts)
  • the sensory system (parietal lobe).

If your headache specialist is not performing this evaluation, you may never reach your full potential with headache resolution.

Food Triggers, Blood Sugar Dysregulation, Leaky Gut, Thyroid Dysfunction, Liver Detox, Adrenals, Hormones

If you’re eating foods that are triggering an inflammatory reaction, then you’re breaking down your gut lining creating a leaky gut, which allows MORE poorly broken down foods and amino acids into the system that are triggered MORE inflammation. More inflammation requires more cortisol, which stresses the adrenal glands. More inflammation stresses the liver detoxification system. Inflammation stresses the thyroid.

When inflammation is triggered, your body’s natural anti-inflammatory hormone is released called CortisolCortisol’s main goal is to liberate more glucose from the liver, to increase blood sugar levels during stressful situations (think Fight or Flight and needing energy to run from a bear). If cortisol increases blood sugar, then we have to have a way to get that blood sugar into the cells to be utilized for energy. Note that elevated HbA1c levels, along with elevated cortisol levels and inflammation, damage your gut lining, creating a leaky gut. Leaky gut allows more amino acids in than should be coming in, and your body reacts to this with inflammation. When inflammation is the trigger, this whole story starts over.

Kim's Relief from Chronic Migraines

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“After my return to town from helping my mother move I started experiencing headaches. Not just a normal headache but one that made me nauseous and had me thinking I should go to the ER. I don’t typically get headaches and this was what I figured people called a migraine. After several hours and a ton of over-the-counter drugs, it subsided but returned the next day. For several days this went on and my friends were saying I should go to my primary physician. Dr. Berry had helped me with other conditions in the past so I thought I would see him first. Thank god I did or else I bet I’d be on all the migraine drugs my friends are on. After just one treatment he knew exactly what was going on and with his treatment, I walked out feeling better. I felt the slight lingering of a headache that night and the next morning but after that, I haven’t experienced a single headache of any kind! It’s been over a month and I’m still feeling great. Truly remarkable! I can’t thank him enough and I refer him to everyone I know who’s ever experienced a migraine.”​

Kim J.

Our Approach to Migraine Treatment

Our approach to migraines begins with a thorough history and neurological exam. We’ve been told our neurological exam is more in-depth than even a medical neurologist’s exam.
We use neuro-diagnostics, comprehensive blood lab analysis, functional neuro-orthopedic assessments, and functional medicine testing to help uncover the real reason you’re having migraines. Once we identify what, where, and why you’re having your migraines, we develop a very specific treatment for you using our proprietary approach to migraine headaches.
We use the most up-to-date therapies to help provide our industry-leading results:

  • FDA Approved Laser Therapies
  • Functional Neuro-Orthopedic Rehab (Soft tissue release techniques that very few in the world are trained to perform)
  • Neurologically specific Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy
  • Neuromuscular rehabilitation techniques
  • Nerve Rebuilder Therapy
  • Cranial Nerve Stimulation Devices
  • Vagal Nerve Stimulation
  • Sanet Vision Integration
  • Oculomotor stabilization
  • Specific Vestibular Therapy (SVT)

Some of our patients have experienced relief in as little as 5 minutes. We can provide rapid relief, yet we are always addressing the underlying cause.

Call our office today (480) 756-2600

Janine Crifasi, DC, CCST

Dr. Janine Crifasi, our newest team member at AZ Chiropractic Neurology, is originally from New York – which explains the accent. She attended Life Chiropractic College West and was the Centennial class’s Most Outstanding Graduate. She practiced in the Bay Area until moving closer to family to raise her son who is attending college.

Dr. Janine is committed to learning and educating people to change their awareness about their bodies’ potential and empowering them with unique methods of retraining their brains to maximize their quality of life through neuroplasticity. Her passion to help others puts her patients at ease and makes her a highly sought-after community speaker. Prior to coming to Chandler, she owned a center specializing in kids with learning disabilities and served as the northeast clinical director of a functional neurology practice, overseeing several functional neurology clinics. 

She has completed her post-doctoral clinical neuroscience studies in Functional Neurology through the Carrick Institute for Graduate Studies and has successfully completed the clinical exam and is now board eligible for the written portion. She is a Board Certified Doctor of Chiropractic for over 26 years. She has received additional extensive training in Spinal Trauma, and the Activator Method, and has a certification in Postural Neurology. 

In an effort to better serve her patients, Dr. Crifasi completed postdoctoral specialty training in blood chemistry, thyroid chemistry, brain chemistry, neuro-immune, and neuro-endocrine functional medicine. This knowledge of the brain-gut axis, and the mechanisms that impact our health, allow her to provide patients with easily implemented modifications enhancing improved lifestyle and nutraceutical recommendations as needed.