Does Chiropractic Care Help With Migraines?

For those who have experienced the relentless throbbing pain, sensitivity to light and sound, and the overall debilitation of migraines, it's no secret that these headaches are much more than just a minor inconvenience.

Migraines are one of the most common conditions that affect individuals, and with around 39 million people in the United States suffering from them, getting the proper care is crucial. Migraines have quite the way of disrupting our lives, hijacking our productivity, and leaving us longing for relief.

While the origins of migraines remain complex and multifaceted, there is growing evidence suggesting that chiropractic care can be a promising avenue for finding respite from this enigmatic condition. Every day, scientists are getting a better understanding of what causes them and how to get relief by managing and preventing symptoms.

While some individuals may choose medication to deal with their migraines, it’s important to consider alternatives to pain medication, specifically by utilizing chiropractic services. So, let's delve into the realm of migraines, understand what triggers them, and explore how chiropractic care might hold the key to easing their grip on our lives!

What Are Migraines?

Migraines are not your ordinary headaches. They are neurological events characterized by severe, pulsating pain, often on one side of the head, and are frequently accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.

The exact causes of migraines are not entirely clear, but they are believed to involve a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and neurovascular factors. Migraines can occur at any age and are generally diagnosed through symptoms, tests, or if your family has a history of them.

What Causes Migraines?

Migraines can be triggered by a myriad of factors, and in susceptible individuals, these triggers can lead to abnormal brain activity and chemical imbalances that culminate in the onset of a migraine attack. The unpredictability of these triggers can leave migraine sufferers feeling like they're navigating a minefield, never knowing when the next debilitating episode will strike.

Migraines occur for various reasons, and some of the most common include:

• Food allergies or sensitivities

• Stress or hormonal changes

• Lack of sleep

• Skipping meals

• Elemental factors like weather changes or bright lights

• Certain types of medications

• Family history

While the symptoms can come and go, some do have chronic and ongoing issues, and they typically go in four stages:

1. Prodrome

Prodrome can include constipation, frequent urination, mood changes, and increased thirst.

2. Aura

The symptoms can range from vision loss to seeing lights and shapes or other sensations like pins and needles in arms or legs.

3. Attack

The migraine can last between four hours and three days, and there may be feelings of nausea, sensitivity to light, touch, sound, and smell, and pain on both or one side of the head.

4. Post-Drome

This stage typically happens 24 to 48 hours after the migraine, resulting in symptoms like fatigue and a decreased ability to concentrate.

How Does Chiropractic Care Help Relieve Migraines?

Migraines often occur when there is a misalignment in the spine which can cause irritation of the nerves and reduce the appropriate amount of blood flow to the area where the migraine occurs.

While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing migraines, an increasing body of research suggests that chiropractic care can play a significant role in reducing the frequency, intensity, and duration of migraine episodes.

Chiropractors tend to focus on the nervous system and it’s intimate relationship with the spine. Neurological stress from physical, chemical, and emotional stressors, changes the tone of the nervous system, causing a physiological change in the body, leading to various health issues, including migraines.

In addition to general chiropractic care, your chiropractor may also encourage lifestyle management recommendations like dietary changes, low-impact exercise, and ensuring correct posture when sitting.

Overall, the primary target for the chiropractor when treating a migraine is to maximize your body's overall health and reduce pain using a multifaceted care plan to help decrease and make your migraine experiences more manageable.

Expert Chiropractic Care Minnesotans Can Trust for Migraines

Chiropractors are trained to diagnose, assess, and treat migraines, and when you need an expert, the team at Restore Chiropractic is here to help. Our team offers top-rated chiropractic services in Maple Grove, and we use advanced technologies because we want you to feel your best!

Feeling great starts with advanced holistic care; book an appointment online or call us at 612-516-3090 today.