There are many different types of headaches, including migraines. These can be debilitating and can affect your daily life. However, chiropractic treatments can help with this.
Research has shown that upper cervical spinal misalignment is associated with migraine pain. The upper neck bones are responsible for protecting the brainstem and can become misaligned after trauma.
Spinal Manipulation
Migraines are often caused by tight muscles and spinal misalignment, causing pressure on nerves that send pain signals to the brain. Spinal manipulation improves the mobility and alignment of your vertebrae, relieving this pressure on nerves and helping to relieve your migraine headaches.
The practice of manipulative therapy has been used for thousands of years to ease back and neck pain. Writings from China as early as 2700 B.C. and Greece as late as 1500 B.C. mention manipulation techniques, and Hippocrates, widely considered the father of medicine as a rational science, discusses them in his writings as well. Several studies have found that spinal manipulation can be beneficial in treating migraines.
In fact, a single session of spinal manipulation can reduce the duration and severity of a migraine headache by relieving tension and pressure in your neck and head. Unlike medication that only treats the symptoms of your migraines (such as nausea, dizziness, and vomiting) or surgery that would address the structural problem, chiropractic adjustments can offer long-term relief from your pain without any side effects.
Another benefit of spinal manipulation is that it helps to improve the overall quality of life for those with chronic migraines. Studies have shown that patients who received spinal manipulation as part of an integrated treatment plan experienced significantly less migraine-related disability than those who were treated with only medication.
When you come into our office, your chiropractor will assess your symptoms and develop a comprehensive treatment plan that may include dry needling, soft tissue work, and spinal manipulation. Maria, for example, came into our office with a migraine that was triggered by neck tension. We started by applying dry needling to the tight muscles around her neck and shoulders. Next, we applied gentle spinal manipulation to loosen the muscle tension and elicit an adjustment response.
While we have seen great results with spinal manipulation for alleviating migraine headaches, it’s difficult to measure its effectiveness through traditional research methods like randomized controlled trials. But we’ve also found that it is one of several complementary therapies that can help prevent migraines from forming in the first place.
Soft Tissue Therapy
Migraine headaches are intense, throbbing and can last 2-3 days making them very difficult to live through. The condition affects 39 million people in America and is more severe than your average headache. Many sufferers are often forced to rely on medications that offer only a temporary relief. This is because most migraine medication only treats the symptoms and not the underlying cause of the pain.
Fortunately, chiropractic can help relieve the pain and prevent future attacks by addressing the underlying causes of the headaches. Unlike conventional medicine which usually involves taking over-the-counter medications, chiropractic treatment seeks to address the root of the problem through manual therapies such as spinal manipulation and soft tissue therapy.
One of the main reasons why migraines develop is because of a misalignment of the vertebrae (bones in your spine) known as subluxation. This impinges the nerves in your spinal column which send messages to the brain and can lead to various chemical imbalances. Chiropractors are trained to identify these problems and correct them, thus restoring proper function to the nervous system, which can alleviate many health issues including headaches.
Soft tissue techniques such as massage and trigger point therapy can also be used to relax muscles in your neck, back and shoulders that could be causing or contributing to your migraines. This is because these muscles are often tight and tense, especially when suffering from chronic headaches. In a recent study, researchers found that incorporating soft tissue therapy into regular chiropractic treatments can help improve the quality of life of patients who suffer from frequent migraines.
The study included participants who were treated by both a chiropractor and a neurologist. The chiropractic treatment was aimed at improving posture, reducing subluxation and eliminating tension in the muscles of the neck and shoulders which can be the source of headaches. In addition to combining spinal adjustments with soft tissue therapy, the chiropractors, including the Madison chiropractors, have provided education on lifestyle changes such as drinking more water and avoiding foods that may contribute to migraines.
The study showed that both groups had a positive response to treatment. The chiropractic group had a decrease in the number of migraines and the severity of their symptoms while the neurologist group saw an improvement in medication use and overall well-being.
Lifestyle Changes
Migraines are debilitating, causing severe pain and nausea along with extreme sensitivity to light, sound, smells, and temperature. They can last for hours or days and many people find that they cannot function properly during an episode. There are a variety of medications and procedures that can help with migraines, but natural therapies have also shown promise in providing relief. This includes chiropractic spinal manipulation, soft tissue therapy, and acupuncture.
Acupuncture is an effective treatment for migraines and has been proven in numerous clinical trials to reduce both the number of headache episodes and their intensity. Behavioral changes like getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly can also help to reduce the frequency of migraine episodes.
In addition to these behavioral changes, chiropractors are able to recommend other natural methods that can provide migraine relief, including massage, ice packs, and relaxation techniques. It is important to note that although these strategies are often recommended by chiropractors, they should be used in conjunction with traditional medical treatments.
While it is not fully understood why migraines occur, they are correlated with an over-stimulation of the brain’s sensory and neurological systems. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as stress, intense physical activity, changes in weather, certain foods, and chemicals found in some household cleaners and cosmetics.
One of the most effective treatments for migraines is to learn what triggers them and avoid them whenever possible. This includes avoiding certain foods, drinks, and scents that have been known to cause migraines. It is also helpful to keep a diary of how your migraines affect you, so that you can track things that may contribute to your symptoms and adjust your lifestyle accordingly.
It is also a good idea to try and get as much sleep as possible, at the same time each night and day. Changing your sleep schedule can trigger migraines, so it’s best to stick to a routine. Eating a healthy, balanced diet that is low in sodium and fat is also a good way to prevent migraines, as is consuming plenty of water.
Acupuncture
Migraines are a type of headache that can be extremely debilitating. The pain of a migraine usually lasts for hours or even days and is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light, sound, smell, and temperature. While many migraine sufferers seek relief with prescription or over-the-counter medications, they don’t always provide relief and may come with dangerous side effects.
Research shows that chiropractic can help alleviate migraines and reduce the frequency of migraine episodes by relieving tension in the body, addressing inflammation, and helping patients to better manage stress levels. By following a treatment plan that includes soft tissue therapy, spinal manipulation, and acupuncture, patients can find significant relief from their chronic migraines without the need for medication.
Inflammation is a common cause of migraines and other types of headaches, and studies show that chiropractic adjustment can improve blood flow to the head and neck, reducing inflammation. In addition, a chiropractor’s techniques can help ease tension and pressure in the head and neck, which are often the root cause of migraines.
Acupuncture is also a highly effective treatment for migraines, and studies have shown that when combined with massage and lifestyle changes, it can significantly improve the duration and intensity of migraine episodes. During an acupuncture session, the acupressure points are stimulated to release endorphins in the brain, which act as natural pain relievers and mood enhancers. Acupuncture is safe and effective for migraines and other types of headaches, including tension and cervicogenic headaches, which are similar to migraines.
For those suffering from migraines and other chronic pain conditions, finding a treatment that works can be challenging. Acupuncture and chiropractic have been shown to be effective for those suffering from chronic pain, and patients should speak with a healthcare provider about whether this treatment is right for them. If you’re tired of taking migraine medications that don’t always work, or are looking for a safer and more holistic approach to treating your migraines, contact us today. We’ll be happy to discuss our approach with you and see if it is the right fit for your unique needs.
