The National Institutes of Health estimates that almost 40 million Americans, roughly 12% of the population, suffer from migraine headaches. Additionally, a lot of people experience tension headaches and cluster headaches, which can be very painful and lead to other symptoms. Headaches are experienced in some form by approximately 40% of adults in the United States, making them one of the most common health issues.
Headache pain can be treated with over-the-counter and prescription medications, but they may only sometimes be practical. Some medications can cause serious side effects, such as an increased risk of GI bleeding or liver damage. If you’re hesitant to try drugs or have already tried headache medications without success, chiropractic care may help.
What Are Migraines?
Migraine is a neurological condition that causes headaches and increased sensitivity to light, smell, or sound. The pain associated with migraine headaches is typically limited to one side of the head and is often described as a throbbing sensation. A migraine headache usually develops in four phases:
- Prodrome: The prodrome phase lasts a few hours to a few days.
- Aura: If the aura phase occurs, which it only does in about 15% to 20% of people with migraines, it may cause numbness, tingling, ringing in the ears, temporary loss of vision, or blind spots in your eye. During the aura phase, some individuals experience visual disruptions such as flashing lights or wavy lines. The aura usually lasts anywhere from five minutes to an hour.
- Headache: This is the main symptom of a migraine. The pain may begin on one side of the head and move to the other over time. Migraine headaches may last up to 72 hours.
- Postdrome: The postdrome phase is known as the “migraine hangover” because it takes a day or two to recover from the migraine. During this phase, people with migraines may feel tired or depressed, have difficulty concentrating, or have trouble understanding things. Some even report feeling euphoric after the migraine headache passes.
Who is a Chiropractor?
A chiropractor is a healthcare professional who focuses on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disorders, particularly related to the spine. They use hands-on techniques to adjust and manipulate the spine and other body parts to improve alignment, reduce pain, and enhance overall functionality. Chiropractors often use adjustments, spinal manipulation, exercises, and lifestyle counseling to help patients manage pain, improve mobility, and promote general wellness.
What Are Common Triggers for Migraines?
- Stress: About 70% of people with migraines report that high levels of stress tend to trigger their symptoms.
- Hormonal changes: Migraines are more common in women than in men, which might be explained by the hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle. Up to 75% of female migraine sufferers report that they experience attacks just before or during their menstrual periods.
- Poor sleep: Sleeping too much, not getting enough sleep, and maintaining an irregular sleep schedule have all been associated with migraine headaches.
- Alcohol use: Some people with migraines report that their symptoms are worse after they consume alcohol, especially if they drink red wine.
- Consuming preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and salty foods can worsen migraine symptoms for some people.
- Weather: In some cases, migraine symptoms worsen with changes in barometric pressure, severe storms, or extreme heat levels.
- Smells Strong smells, such as perfumes, gasoline, or chemicals, can trigger migraine symptoms.
Can a Chiropractor Treat Migraines?
A skilled chiropractor can help relieve the symptoms of migraines and other headaches, usually through manual therapies like spinal manipulation, massage, and other techniques. Chiropractic care is also valuable for treating tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches. Tension headaches typically occur once or twice monthly and cause steady pain on both sides of the head.
Unlike migraines, tension headaches do not cause symptoms such as nausea, light sensitivity, and sensitivity to certain sounds or smells.
Chiropractors may recommend soft tissue therapy, spinal manipulation, lifestyle changes, or acupuncture, depending on the severity and symptoms of your migraines. Gentle tissue therapy may include massage, taping, or manual resistance techniques to address issues with the body’s muscles, ligaments, tendons, and connective tissues. Spinal manipulation involves applying force to a joint in the spine. It can be as effective as preventive medications in reducing the frequency of migraine headaches.
Lifestyle changes are important because they can support and limit your direction to some of the triggers known to make migraine symptoms more threatening. If your symptoms deteriorate after drinking alcohol, for example, a chiropractor may suggest that you lessen your alcohol consumption or stop alcohol use. Acupuncture is the insertion of tiny needles at points believed to be responsible for triggering headaches. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine principles, meridians are pathways for energy flow; disruption causes headaches and symptoms.
Is a Chiropractor Good for Migraines?
Depending on the frequency of your migraines and the severity of your symptoms, a skilled chiropractor can use a variety of techniques to relieve pain and reduce the number of migraines you have each month. Chiropractors can help with tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches, which cause pain and difficulty concentrating.
Does Chiropractic Care Treat Other Types of Headaches?
Chiropractors treat many types of headaches, including tension, cluster, and cervicogenic. Tension and cluster headaches are classified as primary headaches or those that aren’t symptoms of an underlying medical condition. In contrast, cervicogenic headaches are classified as secondary headaches because they only occur due to problems in the cervical spine. A skilled chiropractor has the knowledge and expertise to determine the cause of a headache and provide appropriate chiropractic treatment, easing pain and allowing you to return to normal activities as quickly as possible.
Conclusion
Chiropractic care is a promising avenue for managing migraines, offering a non-invasive, holistic approach that targets the root causes rather than just symptoms. While research results vary, many patients report significant improvements in the frequency and intensity of migraines after chiropractic adjustments. The individualized nature of treatment plans tailored to address spinal misalignments, posture issues, and tension could alleviate migraine triggers for some individuals.
However, conclusive evidence is still evolving, urging a balanced approach to chiropractic care in conjunction with traditional medical advice for those seeking migraine relief.
