Our brains are incredible, complex machines that can be susceptible to many problems. In fact, approximately 60% of all Americans suffer from some form of chronic pain. While many people turn to prescription drugs for relief, others seek other options. Luckily, there’s a great one out there: chiropractic care. Chiropractors focus on the spine and its surrounding joints in order to treat nerve interference and restore optimal health. Chiropractic care helps relieve conditions such as headaches and migraines by addressing the underlying source of a patient’s pain instead of masking it with medication. Read on to learn more about how chiropractic care can help with migraine headaches, including what they are, symptoms and risks, causes, diagnosis, treatment options and when it’s not right for you.
What is a migraine headache?
Migraine headaches are one of the most common types of headaches and affect around 36 million Americans.
They are caused by changes in the blood flow in the brain, which causes intense pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound.
There are two main types of migraine: “migraine without aura” and “migraine with aura.”
“Migraine without aura” refers to those headaches without any symptoms in the preceding 24 hours. “Migraine with aura” headaches have some kind of visual disturbance, like seeing flashing lights, just before the headache begins.
Typically, a migraine headache lasts for up to 72 hours and is accompanied by extreme sensitivity to light and sound, an upset stomach, and fatigue.Migraine headaches are one of the most common types of headaches and affect around 36 million Americans. They are caused by changes in the blood flow in the brain, which causes intense pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound.
Migraine triggers
A migraine headache is a severe and disabling headache that may be triggered by certain foods, drinks, and other substances, as well as certain emotions.
Other triggers of migraine headachess may include stress, hormonal changes, certain occupations, and certain weather conditions.
A migraine is considered to be an “acute” headache disorder because it is typically triggered by a certain factor that makes the blood vessels in the brain dilate (open wide). This causes the blood vessels to “rebound” quickly and send a spike of blood back toward the heart, resulting in the severe throbbing pain associated with migraines.
Migraine headaches last for varying lengths of time, but most people who suffer from them have a regular pattern of attacks.
Some common migraine triggers include:
Foods – Foods like chocolate, cheese, caffeine, alcohol, and certain preservatives such as monosodium glutamate (MSG) can lead to migraines.
Drinks – Certain beverages like coffee, tea, and red wine may trigger a migraine headache.
Emotions – Migraines are more likely to occur when a person is under stress or is in an anxious or angry mood.
Sleeping patterns – People who suffer from migraines frequently report that their migraines become more frequent as they enter their late teens and early adulthood.
Research supports chiropractic care for migraines
Despite the fact that migraine headaches affect nearly 36 million Americans, there is not a lot of research looking at how to best treat them.
Unfortunately, the research that does exist suggests that most migraine treatments are ineffective.
But there is a new study that suggests that chiropractic care could be a viable option for migraine sufferers.
In fact, the study found that chiropractic care is as effective as prescription migraine medications at reducing headache pain.
It also had few side effects, making it a great option for those who suffer from migraines.
This is great news for migraine sufferers because the vast majority of people do not experience adequate relief from prescription medications. As a result, people frequently have to keep taking their medications in order to get relief. This can lead to all sorts of complications, including drug abuse and dependence.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help with Migraines
Chiropractic care is focused on helping patients improve their health by restoring optimal nerve function. Typically, patients visit a chiropractor for back and joint pain.
But, chiropractors are also trained to detect and address nerve interference and restore optimal nerve function. This, in turn, leads to the relief of pain and other symptoms.
Chiropractors assess patients by doing a thorough examination to identify areas of pain, muscle tension, nerve impingement, and other interference.
They then work to restore optimal nerve function and address the interference.
A chiropractic adjustment is a gentle, controlled manipulation of the spine to realign joints and restore optimal nerve function.
Chiropractic care is an effective treatment for migraines because it addresses the nerve interference that is often present in these types of headaches.
Conclusion
Chiropractic care is a great option for people who are suffering from migraines. Not only does it help with the pain, but it also helps with nerve interference, which leads to a better quality of life for sufferers.
Chiropractors are well-trained to identify and address nerve interference, which is often present in migraine headaches. With regular chiropractic care, migraine sufferers can expect to feel better and experience less pain.
