Migraine Relief with Chiropractic Care
Migraines are one of those conditions where, if you know, you really know. Whether you spot the early signs, wake up in agony, or brace for the occasional intense episode, the struggle with migraines is widespread. They’re more than just severe headaches—they’re a neurological condition affecting millions. Nearly 1 in 4 households in the U.S. deals with migraines, according to the American Migraine Foundation.
Many people try changing their diets, cutting back on caffeine, managing stress, or simply just dealing with them as they come to find relief. But there’s another option worth considering: chiropractic care. It might be more affordable and potentially more effective in the long run than just masking symptoms with medication or relying on temporary home remedies like dark rooms, ice packs and peppermint oil.
Understanding Migraines
Migraines are intense and often debilitating headaches that come with symptoms like nausea, sensitivity to light, visual disturbances, face numbness and head pain. They can last from a few hours to several days and go beyond the typical headache duration. There are different types of migraines, each with its own distinct features.
Chiropractic care can be beneficial for managing various types of migraines, including the following:
Migraine with Aura: This type comes with visual disturbances before the headache hits. During the aura phase, you might see scintillating scotomas—flickering or flashing lights that look like zigzag lines. You might also experience visual field loss, where parts of your sight seem to disappear, or notice fortification spectra, which appear as patterns resembling the walls of a fortress.
Migraine without Aura: The most common type, this one hits hard with a severe headache but doesn’t come with the visual symptoms. Even though it lacks visual disturbances, bright or fluorescent lights often make these migraines worse—kind of like that lyric "blinded by the light."
Chronic Migraine: These migraines make their presence known more than 15 days a month and last for at least three months. It’s the type that makes you question if you’ll ever experience a headache-free, “normal” day.
Hemiplegic Migraine: This rare form mimics stroke-like symptoms, including weakness on one side of the body, adding an extra layer of complexity to the migraine experience.
Menstrual Migraine: This type is related to the menstrual cycle and usually occurs just before or during menstruation. The headache can be similar to other migraine types but follows a pattern linked to the menstrual cycle.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
Chiropractic care focuses on diagnosing and treating issues with the spine and joints. Misalignments untreated can cause persistent pain and migraines. Let’s take a look at how chiropractic care can help.
Spinal Alignment and Nerve Function
Misalignments in the spine, particularly in the neck, can irritate nerves linked to headache pathways. Chiropractic adjustments aim to correct these misalignments, potentially reducing nerve irritation and alleviating migraine symptoms. Adjustments can enhance blood flow and decrease muscle tension in the neck and upper back. This can help relieve some factors that contribute to migraines.
Posture Correction
Poor posture, especially from prolonged sitting or incorrect ergonomic setups, can lead to tension and strain in the neck and shoulders, potentially triggering migraines. Chiropractors often work on improving posture and body mechanics to alleviate this strain.
Stress Reduction
Chronic stress is a common migraine trigger. Chiropractic care often includes advice on posture and relaxation techniques, which can help manage stress and potentially reduce the frequency of migraines.
Preventive Migraine Measures
Chiropractic care isn’t just for addressing migraines when they occur. Regular adjustments might help maintain spinal alignment, reduce muscle tension, and manage stress—all factors that could lessen the likelihood of migraine attacks. Alongside chiropractic care, lifestyle changes such as keeping a consistent sleep schedule, routine exercise, staying hydrated, and avoiding known migraine triggers can make a big difference.
Yoga – Double Edged Sword
Many chiropractors recommend yoga for maintaining overall health and pain management. Interestingly, it’s a migraine activator and relief.
Yoga offers several benefits for headaches. Stress reduction is a major plus. The practice of yoga, especially its focus on deep breathing and relaxation techniques, helps lower stress levels—a common migraine trigger. Yoga also improves posture by aligning the spine and relieving strain on the neck and shoulders, which can help with tension headaches. Plus, yoga enhances flexibility and strength, particularly in the neck and upper back, and boosts circulation, which might reduce headache frequency or intensity.
Certain poses that increase blood flow to the head, like inversions, might trigger or worsen headaches due to increased pressure in the head or neck. Some poses might create or worsen muscle tension if those muscles are already strained. Improper technique or alignment during poses can aggravate existing spinal misalignments or muscle tension, potentially leading to headaches. Overexertion in yoga can also trigger headaches. For those with a history of headaches or migraines, it’s best to consult with a healthcare provider or a knowledgeable yoga instructor.
A study published in The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic adjustments might reduce the frequency and severity of headaches by addressing issues related to spinal misalignment and muscle tension. This suggests that chiropractic care could help alleviate headaches that might be triggered or worsened by activities like handstands.
Medication vs. Chiropractic Care
Many people rely on medications such as triptans (e.g., sumatriptan, rizatriptan), ergotamines (e.g., ergotamine tartrate), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, e.g., ibuprofen, aspirin) for migraine relief. While these medications can be effective, they often come with side effects like nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. Long-term use of these medications can lead to medication-overuse headaches, where headaches become more frequent due to overuse of painkillers. Chiropractic care offers a drug-free alternative that focuses on underlying issues such as spinal misalignments and muscle tension rather than just masking symptoms. Chiropractic care is generally most effective when used alongside other treatments and lifestyle adjustments, such as stress management and proper hydration.
The Bigger Picture
Migraines can be influenced by various factors, including hormonal changes, diet, stress, and genetics. Considering chiropractic care as part of a broader wellness strategy for managing migraines might be helpful. This approach could include working with other healthcare professionals to address all aspects of health.
Migraines can be challenging, but exploring treatments like chiropractic care can be a valuable part of managing them.
Schedule a consultation at a Geaux Chiro location to explore how chiropractic care might help manage your migraines before the next episode hits.
Comments