The Mystery Behind Chronic Headaches and Neck Pain
If you’ve been suffering from headaches that just won’t go away even after trying medication, chiropractic care, or massage the real cause may be hidden in your upper neck.
Many patients in South Miami, Broward County, and Fort Lauderdale come to DMX Miami after years of frustration. They’ve seen multiple doctors, had normal MRI or CT results, and still experience daily headaches.
The truth is, in many of these cases, the problem isn’t in the muscles or the brain it’s in the cervical ligaments that stabilize the top of the spine. These ligaments can stretch or tear after trauma, creating instability that’s often missed by standard imaging.
Understanding Cervical Ligament Damage
Your cervical spine especially the C0–C1–C2 region (the top three vertebrae) relies on a complex web of ligaments to keep your head aligned and your nervous system balanced.
When those ligaments are injured due to car accidents, falls, or repetitive stress, it creates micro-instability. This instability can cause:
- Constant muscle tension.
- Headaches at the base of the skull.
- Pressure behind the eyes.
- Dizziness or brain fog.
- Neck stiffness that worsens with activity.
Unfortunately, most of these issues can’t be seen on a standard X-ray or MRI because those tests are taken with your neck still. The real damage shows up only when the neck moves and that’s where Digital Motion X-Ray (DMX) comes in.
Why Traditional Imaging Misses the Real Problem
Conventional imaging captures static images. But the ligaments in your neck are dynamic structures they stabilize while you move, twist, or bend.
When a ligament is injured, it may appear normal on a still image, yet become unstable during motion. That’s why so many patients are told their scans are “normal” even though they’re still in pain.
DMX solves this by recording the neck in motion allowing doctors to see how each vertebra moves and whether ligaments are too loose or overstretched. It’s the difference between taking a picture and watching a video of how your neck truly functions.
How Digital Motion X-Ray Works
Digital Motion X-Ray uses high-definition fluoroscopy to capture the cervical spine in real time while the patient performs controlled movements.
At DMX Miami, our technicians record:
- Flexion and extension (forward and backward motion).
- Lateral bending (side-to-side motion).
- Rotation (turning left and right).
This produces a live video sequence showing whether bones move too far a clear sign of ligament laxity or instability.
It’s completely non-invasive and takes only a few minutes. The resulting images are analyzed frame by frame to identify ligament injuries that could explain chronic pain or headaches.
How Cervical Instability Causes Headaches
When the upper neck ligaments fail to stabilize the head properly, it leads to subtle misalignments and abnormal pressure on nerves and blood vessels.
This can trigger:
- Occipital headaches (pain at the base of the skull).
- Tension headaches that radiate behind the eyes.
- Vertigo or dizziness.
- Facial pressure or ear fullness.
Over time, this ongoing instability can also irritate the brainstem leading to fatigue, sleep disturbances, and even difficulty concentrating.
Who Should Consider DMX Imaging
DMX is ideal for anyone who has:
- Persistent headaches or neck pain after an accident.
- Whiplash or concussion symptoms that won’t go away.
- Normal MRI or CT scan results despite chronic discomfort.
- Dizziness or “pressure” in the upper neck area.
- Clicking or popping sensations when turning the head.
Many of our patients travel from Florida, the U.S., and countries like Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile to get answers that were missed elsewhere. Our clinic offers bilingual care (English and Spanish) for both local and international patients.
Why Patients Choose DMX Miami
At DMX Miami, we specialize in diagnosing ligament injuries that other imaging methods overlook. Our studies provide:
- Clear visual evidence of cervical instability.
- Insight into the mechanical source of your pain.
- Comprehensive reports for your treating doctor or therapist.
- Peace of mind from finally understanding the root cause.
Patients often say the DMX exam was the turning point that changed their diagnosis and their treatment path leading to real relief for the first time in years.
Take the First Step Toward Relief
If you’re tired of living with chronic headaches or neck pain that no one can explain, it’s time to look deeper. The problem may not be “in your head” it may be in your ligaments.
Schedule your Digital Motion X-Ray (DMX) today and discover what’s really causing your pain.
Learn more: Treatment
Schedule your appointment today: Appointments
Call 305-275-7475 or book your appointment online
Dr. Rodolfo Alfonso, D.C.
Dr. Mark N. Berry, D.C.
Sunset Chiropractic and Wellness
8585 Sunset Dr. STE 102
Miami, Florida 33143