Chiropractic Migraine Treatment: The Pain Relief Explained
Many migraines sufferers far and wide may feel at a loss, but this is where chiropractic migraine treatment can help! Here's a guide on how it works...
Approximately 13 percent of adults in the United States (more than 38 million people) suffer from migraines.
Are you one of them?
As someone who struggles with migraines, you're probably desperate to find something that helps you find relief.
If you've tried conventional treatments like prescription medication but haven't noticed a difference, you may want to try other, more natural methods like chiropractic care.
Read on to learn about all of the benefits of chiropractic migraine treatments.
Migraines vs. Headaches
It's first important to clarify the differences between migraines and headaches.
The primary difference is the fact that migraines typically occur in recognizable patterns. There's a lot of variance between headaches (sinus headaches, tension headaches, dehydration headaches, etc.). But, migraines are much more consistent in their symptoms.
Specific symptoms of migraines include:
- Moderate-to-severe pain on one side of the head
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light and/or sound
People with migraines may also experience an "aura" or group of warning signs that a migraine is coming. Some common warning signs include:
- Confusing thoughts
- Unpleasant smells
- Perception of strange flashing or sparkling lights
- Presence of zig-zagging lines in your field of vision
- Blind spots
- A "pins and needles" feeling in the arms or legs
- Difficulty speaking
- Shoulder, neck, or limb stiffness
Many people are convinced they're dealing with migraines when they're only dealing headaches (and vice versa). If, after evaluating your symptoms, you've determined that you're experiencing migraines, you may be able to benefit from chiropractic care.
Causes of Migraines
Like headaches, there are also a lot of different situations that can trigger migraines. Some of the most common causes of migraines include:
- Foods (especially processed food, salty foods, and chocolate)
- Food additives (especially monosodium glutamate (MSG) and aspartame)
- Beverages (especially coffee, caffeinated beverages, and alcohol)
- Hormonal changes during menopause, menstruation, and pregnancy
- Stress
- Sleep disturbances
- Medication (especially oral contraceptives and vasodilators)
- Changes in the weather or barometric pressure
- Spinal misalignments (also known as subluxations)
Some research also indicates that changes in the body's serotonin (a neurotransmitter) levels can trigger migraines. Serotonin drops during migraine attacks and serotonin is essential for pain regulation.
What Is Chiropractic Migraine Treatment?
Chiropractic migraine treatment involves manual adjustments. These adjustments align the spine to relieve pain, improve mobility, and allow the body to heal properly.
Many chiropractors also utilize other complementary treatments to provide migraine sufferers with additional relief. Common treatments include massage and stretching.
There haven't been a lot of studies looking into the effectiveness of chiropractic treatments, but the studies that do exist are very promising.
For example, one study of 123 people found that 72 percent of migraine sufferers experienced either substantial or noticeable improvements in their symptoms after undergoing regular chiropractic treatment.
How Do Chiropractic Migraine Treatments Work?
In many cases, migraines can be brought on by misalignments in the spine. When the spine is misaligned, even just a little bit, your nerves and/or muscles can become irritated and inflamed. This, in turn, can trigger migraines.
When you get adjusted by a chiropractor, they can realign the spine and reduce the issues that are causing the irritation and inflammation.
Research shows, too, that chiropractic adjustments work just as well as antidepressants (which are commonly prescribed to treat migraines).
These benefits may have to do with the fact that chiropractic care can help reduce stress and increase the body's levels of serotonin. This, in turn, can help minimize pain and reduce one's likelihood of experiencing a migraine attack.
How to Find the Right Chiropractor
As you can see, there are plenty of benefits of chiropractic treatment for people with migraines. But, if you want to experience the best results, you'll need to find a qualified chiropractor.
Keep these guidelines in mind to help you find the best chiropractor to help treat your migraine symptoms.
Start with Referrals
Talk to friends or family members who also struggle with migraines and ask if they've ever worked with a chiropractor. If they have, whom do they recommend and why?
You can also search online to find chiropractors in your area who specialize in migraine treatment.
Research Their Credentials
Once you've found a few candidates, you can start doing your research and learning more about their credentials.
Look at their education and training, as well as their specific skills and services. You may also want to make sure they don't have a history of malpractice claims or disciplinary action.
Don't be Afraid to Ask Questions
Before visiting a particular chiropractor, you may want to talk to them on the phone or in-person to learn more about their methods and experience.
A good place to start is to ask them how many patients with migraines they typically treat.
You'll also want to ask how often their patients with migraines experience improvements.
Consider Their Communication Style
During your meeting, you'll also want to pay attention to the way the chiropractor communicates with you.
Are they open and welcoming? Do they explain issues and answer questions in a way that you can understand?
Look for a chiropractor who shows a genuine interest in you.
Look at Online Reviews
In addition to asking the chiropractor about their patients' satisfaction, it's also a good idea to look at online reviews and patient satisfaction surveys.
This can help you learn more about whether or not a chiropractor's particular services are good for you and your specific needs and symptoms.
Consider Insurance
Finally, don't forget to look at which chiropractors are covered by your insurance provider.
Many insurance providers will cover at least a portion of your treatment. Reach out and find out how much they'll cover before you make your decision.
Get Chiropractic Migraine Treatment in Madison County Today
As you can see, there are lots of reasons to give chiropractic migraine treatment a try.
If you live in or around the Madison County, Alabama area, we can help at Millar Chiropractic.
We specialize in treating migraines, along with neck pain, back pain, whiplash, and a variety of other health problems. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
