If you are one of the thousands of people who suffer with the pain and discomfort that comes with a migraine, we have good news! It is one of our most frequently asked questions: can chiropractic care help migraines get better? The answer is a resounding yes!

WHAT IS A MIGRAINE?

A migraine can come on suddenly and it’s typically a bad headache that can last for up to 72 hours, typically with far more pain than a regular headache might cause. There has to be 2 of the following symptoms in order to be diagnosed with a migraine:

●     Pain that is considered moderate to severe

●     Unilateral location of pain

●     Pain that is pulsating in nature

●     Gets worse with movement such as walking

It must also have at least one of the following:

●     Extreme sensitivity to light and sound

●     Nausea and/or vomiting

If the criteria above has caused at least 5 attacks of migraine headaches which aren’t connected to another more serious medical condition, then you will likely be diagnosed as a migraine patient. You are not alone, though! Nearly 30 million Americans suffer with regular migraines, with 3 out of 4 sufferers being women. Many people report seeing auras in their field of vision right before a migraine attack happens.

What Can You Do to Prevent Them?

While it’s difficult to prevent migraines sometimes, it is possible to lower your severity if you are mindful of certain triggers, such as bright lights or loud sound, being sleep-deprived, dehydration, certain foods and scents, and severe stress. Poor posture can also contribute to migraine attacks, so there is one more reason to stand up straight and keep your shoulders back!

If you notice auras appearing in your vision or any of the other triggers we mentioned above, make every effort to avoid those things. Pay attention to the frequency of your migraine attacks and keep a journal of when they come, how severe they are, and if certain triggers affect them. It’s hard to trace the rhyme or reason behind migraines, so writing these things in a journal can help both you and your doctor! Seeking chiropractic care with us is also one of the best methods of prevention, as spinal adjustments can drastically reduce the severity and frequency of headaches.

How Does Chiropractic Treatment for Migraines Work?

Your spine has tons of nerves, blood vessels, tendons, and muscles & ligaments. With a spinal adjustment, your chiropractor can gently release the stress and pressure in your spine, thus allowing your body’s natural pain relief endorphins to kick in when you need it most. When your spine is not in proper alignment, it can cause a host of serious conditions, not the least of which are migraines.

The best treatment for migraines is prevention, and that is where we come in! Chiropractic adjustments not only relieve pain and stress on your nervous system, but it also allows your body to heal itself more quickly. Our patients nearly always report that adjustments make it possible for them to lower pain medications entirely as the chiropractic care does its job!

If you have migraine headaches, don’t suffer alone! We are here to help, so don’t lose hope. It is possible to live a migraine-free life with a little persistence and TLC from your chiropractor. Call us today for more information or to set up a free consultation.