Chiropractor for Migraines
Migraine Headaches and How a Chiropractor May Be Able to Help
Chiropractor for migraines? Yes! According to the Migraine Health Foundation, approximately 1 out of 8 people worldwide suffer from a migraine headache. Besides back pain, headaches are one of the top ailments chiropractors treat.
Although you can have the occasional migraine headache, chronic headaches can seriously affect your quality of life. Losing your ability to sleep can make you unproductive during your daily life. This can impact your mental and physical well-being.
While many factors can contribute to migraine headaches, how do you identify migraine symptoms?
More importantly, what can you do to treat them effectively?
Different Types of Headache Pain
Some of the more common types of headaches are tension, migraine, and cervicogenic headaches.
- Tension headaches commonly present as a band-like tension feeling around the head.
- Migraine headaches typically result in pain on one side of the head and are associated with nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.
- Cervicogenic headaches usually involve the neck being the source of pain. However, the pain is perceived in one or more areas of the head and/or face.
Sometimes headaches can be misdiagnosed, as they are not always fully understood.
According to the Migraine Research Foundation, 90% of people who suffer from migraine pain have at least one family member who suffers from them as well. This is why it’s a good idea to check your family history for common factors such as chronic neck discomfort and stress.
Keeping this in mind can help you determine which type of headache is causing you pain.
To get more specific, what are the different types of migraine headaches, and how do you identify them?
Migraine Headache Signs and Symptoms
There are 2 types of migraine headaches that you may have heard of:
- Migraine headache without aura
This is when people suffer from migraine without realizing it’s coming.
- Migraine with aura
People may recognize a certain smell, see something in their field of view, or receive a different signal to let them know a migraine is coming.
Common symptoms such as:
- Pounding or throbbing feeling in the head
- Headache pain on one side of the head
- Sensitivity to lights and noises
- Nausea and vomiting
While it’s still being heavily researched, medical professionals believe that migraines involve issues with nerve signals and blood flow.
While prescription medications may help alleviate symptoms, they may not treat the root cause.
This is where you may want to see a chiropractor for your migraine.
How Can Chiropractors Help with Migraine Pain?
Here at Mind Body Spine, we will assess, diagnose, and help manage your headaches.
Chiropractic care can be effective in treating tension and cervicogenic headaches.
Chiropractic therapy has also been shown to help decrease the intensity and frequency of migraine headaches.
Treatment options can include:
- Manual therapy
- Soft tissue therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Stretches
- Lifestyle changes
You should consider consulting a chiropractor if you experience headaches, especially if you rely heavily on pain relievers. If your headache pattern changes or if it gets worse, perhaps chiropractic care can be a viable approach to headache therapy.
Using a series of spinal adjustments to impact the way your nerves send signals throughout your brain and improve your symptoms.
Utilizing non-evasive spinal adjustments might help treat migraine headaches.
Another benefit of chiropractic therapy is unlike prescription medication or surgery, spinal adjustments have minimal risk of complications or side effects.
Benefits of Getting Chiropractic Adjustments for Headaches
Besides complications or side effects, you can avoid the stress of surgery or other intense techniques by consulting a chiropractor first.
By utilizing physical therapy, you can potentially avoid using high blood pressure medication. Medication can cause negative side effects such as fatigue, dizziness, nausea, anxiety, and changes in weight.
If your neck and lower back have considerable discomfort, perhaps a spinal adjustment can help you.
One of the top causes of pain, joint issues, and tension is inflammation. These key factors can be the root cause of migraine headaches.
In other words, back misalignment can cause muscle tension and pain which results in tension headaches and migraines.
Besides migraines, chiropractic therapy can help reduce vertigo, treat scoliosis, and reduce the severity of pain caused by sciatica. By utilizing this approach to headache therapy, it will increase blood flow to the brain and cerebral spinal fluid.
Using this effective headache therapy alternative will reduce inflammation, pain, and tension to help your body recover quicker for a better quality of life.
Receive Quality of Life from Chiropractic Therapy
According to the World Health Organization, stress (particularly work-related stress) is the second-most common health problem.
Chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure, increased cholesterol, diabetes, headaches, musculoskeletal pain, and clinical depression. By seeking out chiropractic therapy, it can help reduce stress and decrease your risk of injury. By dealing with these factors, you can combat migraine headaches effectively and continue with daily life activities.
Based in Victoria, BC, Dr. Louie and her chiropractic team at Mind Body Spine can help with safe and effective migraine headache treatment. One of the best ways to treat potential headaches is to assess, diagnose, and learn to manage them with professional help.
With our expertise, you can reduce inflammation, minimize tension, and improve cardiovascular function. Contact Mind Body Spine today to learn more about migraine headaches, as well as our exercise plans, nutrition counseling, and support for a truly well-rounded treatment.