Resolution of Chronic Migraines in a 15-Year-Old Male Following Chiropractic Care

Dr. Chris Slininger, DC, DCCJP • May 26, 2025

A research article by Dr. Jarek Esarco and Dr. Joel Alcantara

Pediatric Migraine and the Role of Upper Cervical Care


This case report describes the upper cervical chiropractic management of a 15-year-old male with chronic migraines beginning after a motor vehicle accident at age three. The patient’s symptoms escalated after a football-related head injury, resulting in daily headaches with migraine-level intensity occurring about once every three weeks. Following upper cervical care using the Kale Upper Cervical Specific Protocol, the patient’s migraines were reduced to five total episodes over a 24-month period.


The case contributes to a growing conversation around conservative, imaging-informed chiropractic care as a management option for pediatric migraine—a condition that affects up to 28% of adolescents and can significantly interfere with daily function.


Case Overview and Clinical Findings


The patient had a complex history that included early childhood head trauma and escalating migraine activity during adolescence. His headaches were constant and sharp, accompanied by visual disturbances such as halos and distorted images. He reported significant aggravation from light, noise, dehydration, and sleep deprivation, with worsening symptoms during puberty.


Examination findings included restricted cervical range of motion, palpable tenderness at C2-C3 and the rectus capitis minor, and paraspinal thermal asymmetries. X-ray analysis revealed misalignments of both the atlas (ASLP) and axis (PRI), with the C2 listing identified as the major subluxation. The patient underwent care using the Kale protocol, which involved manual adjustments delivered in the knee-chest position using a toggle recoil technique.


After his first adjustment, the patient experienced immediate reduction in pressure and improved mood. Over the following visits, he reported only minor symptoms where migraines once consistently occurred. Across two years, only five migraine events were documented, compared to near-daily pain prior to care.


Precision and Safety in Pediatric Upper Cervical Care


This case underscores the potential of upper cervical chiropractic care to reduce migraine frequency in adolescents, especially when traditional routes provide limited relief. The Kale protocol used here is one of several techniques that target the craniocervical junction with specificity, using imaging and neurological indicators to guide adjustments.


At Cerebral Chiropractic Center, we build on this foundational approach with the Advanced Orthogonal technique—a non-invasive, sound wave-guided correction method that offers both high precision and increased gentleness. While the Kale technique uses manual thrusts in a knee-chest position, Advanced Orthogonal is performed with the patient comfortably lying on their side, and the adjustment involves no popping, twisting, or sudden movements.


Our imaging process captures detailed, three-dimensional data using specialized X-rays to calculate alignment and misalignment angles unique to each patient. This allows us to tailor each correction with millimeter-level accuracy. For many patients—especially children and adolescents—this combination of gentleness and precision results in even greater symptom reduction than what's shown in this case study.


Most importantly, this case reflects what we see regularly in practice: upper cervical care is a safe and effective option for children with migraines. By identifying and correcting biomechanical stress in the upper neck, we often see improvements in frequency, intensity, and overall function, without reliance on medications.


Read the Full Article


For a detailed view of the patient’s case history, diagnostic process, and response to care, we recommend reading the full case report by Dr. Jarek Esarco and Dr. Joel Alcantara: Resolution of Chronic Migraines in a 15-Year-Old Male Following Chiropractic Care [Access the full article here.]

Is Your Child Struggling with Migraines? We Can Help.


If your child or teenager is experiencing migraines—especially after head trauma or with known postural triggers—it's worth exploring whether upper cervical misalignment could be contributing. At Cerebral Chiropractic Center in St. Petersburg, FL, we use precise, non-invasive imaging and gentle Advanced Orthogonal care to address the structural root of neurological symptoms.


Schedule a consultation to learn more about our approach to pediatric migraine care.


<<Back toThe White Papers

More Articles

Resolution of Chronic Migraines Following Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic Care

By Dr. Chris Slininger, DC, DCCJP • May 26, 2025
This case report describes a 53-year-old patient with 12 years of migraines who experienced full symptom resolution through Atlas Orthogonal care. Precision X-ray analysis and vector-guided atlas correction resulted in immediate and lasting relief from migraine, neck pain, and neurological symptoms.

Cone-beam Computerized Tomography for the Bio-mechanical Assessment of the Occipito-atlanto-axial Articulation in a 75-year-old Woman with Migraines Undergoing Blair Technique

By Dr. Chris Slininger, DC, DCCJP • May 26, 2025
This article highlights the use of cone-beam CT to assess upper cervical misalignment in a migraine patient. Guided by Blair protocol, two atlas corrections over 10 weeks led to reduced pain and medication use. Upper cervical care continues to advance through precision imaging and individualized correction.

The Impact of Advanced Orthogonal Care on Pediatric Migraine – A Case Report

By Dr. Chris Slininger, DC, DCCJP • May 26, 2025
Drs. Bernard, Alcantara, and Pierce report on a 16-year-old with lifelong migraines who found relief through Advanced Orthogonal upper cervical care. After years of medications and ER visits, precise atlas correction dramatically reduced her symptoms and improved quality of life.

Conservative Management of Cervicogenic Dizziness with Underlying Upper Cervical Instability and POTS

By Dr. Chris Slininger, DC, DCCJP • April 20, 2025
Dr. Robert Trager and colleagues present a case where upper cervical chiropractic care played a key role in resolving chronic dizziness linked to cervicogenic dizziness, upper cervical instability, and POTS. The patient improved significantly through conservative management including manual therapy, stability exercises, and autonomic support.

Craniofacial Changes after Combined Atlas-Orthogonal and Biomimetic Oral Appliance Therapy

By Dr. Chris Slininger, DC, DCCJP • December 30, 2024
Dr. G. Dave Singh, Dr. Chris Chapman, and Dr. Myles Preble demonstrated that combining upper cervical chiropractic care with biomimetic oral appliance therapy can significantly improve craniofacial alignment. The study highlights how integrating these therapies enhances structural stability and supports neurological health through a multidisciplinary approach.

Effect of Atlas Vertebrae Realignment in Subjects with Migraine: An Observational Pilot Study

By Dr. Chris Slininger, DC, DCCJP • December 30, 2024
Dr. Woodfield and his colleagues conducted a groundbreaking study showing how atlas realignment may reduce migraine days and improve quality of life. The research highlights the potential of precise upper cervical care to address migraines at their root, offering insights into a non-invasive approach that could transform migraine management.

The Role of the Craniocervical Junction in Neurological and Neurodegenerative Conditions

By Dr. Chris Slininger DC, DCCJP • December 27, 2024
Dr. Michael Flanagan’s research highlights how misalignments in the craniocervical junction disrupt cerebrospinal fluid flow, contributing to neurodegenerative conditions. This article explores these dynamics and how upper cervical care restores alignment, optimizes cerebrospinal fluid flow, improves cerebral blood flow, and supports brain health.

Headache and Migraine Breakthrough

By Dr. Chris Slininger, DC, DCCJP • June 25, 2024
Pain, Throbbing, Aching, Pressure, and Tension In The Head There has been a breakthrough in understanding why headaches and migraines occur and how to fix them. More studies have shown that problems in the upper neck play a big role in causing headaches. A specialized method of correcting the upper neck can reduce or eliminate the symptoms without drugs or injections. Headaches are not normal even though they are common. The amount of times a person gets a headache does not make it normal. It actually just means the problem is more severe and there is usually a root cause to the problem that has not been uncovered yet. Most people do not know the root cause of their headaches. This leaves many people simply managing symptoms with medication or just coping with the pain. Currently, the most common treatment for headaches is prescription drugs, and treatment like Botox injections is on the rise, even though it only provides temporary relief. In recent years, there has been a greater understanding of one of the more common root causes of headaches and migraines. Headache and migraine pain often originate from nerves in your upper neck. More specifically, it is in an area called the brainstem. (See figure 1) This brainstem is the transition point between the brain and the spinal cord. It is located at the base of your skull into the upper part of the neck. Inside of this brainstem is a group of nerves called the trigeminal nucleus, which is the pain center for the head, face, and neck. If this trigeminal nucleus of the brainstem gets irritated, it causes the head, and sometimes the face, to hurt. One of the most common causes of this type of nerve interference is an upper neck misalignment. An upper neck misalignment occurs when the bones of the upper neck get out of place from a fall, concussion , car accident, or some sort of head or neck injury. Unfortunately, not many doctors, chiropractors, or neurologists are trained to evaluate this specific problem, leaving many people suffering from headaches for years. The key to addressing these types of headaches and migraines is to find the root of the problem instead of masking the symptoms. If a person is found to have upper neck nerve irritation from a misalignment, then they would be a candidate for our specialized type of care used to realign the upper neck with a gentle correction. Once the upper neck has been properly realigned, the bones no longer irritate the nerves and the headaches begin to subside. This specialized type of care is called Upper Cervical Care . With so many people suffering from headaches, there is good news. This specialized treatment is available the Cerebral Chiropractic Center in St. Petersburg, FL, which opens February 2024. Dr. Chris Slininger, the founder of Cerebral Chiropractic Center, is a craniocervical specialist who has been practicing in the Tampa Bay Area for the last 10 years. Upper Cervical Care is a powerful, precise, and gentle approach to long term relief. If you are serious about recovery, schedule a free consultation. You will meet with Dr. Slininger to learn more about headaches and migraines and to see if you could be a candidate for treatment.