Chiropractic Treatment For Migraines & 5 Ways To Help Prevent Them.
If you suffer with migraines, you will already know how debilitating an attack can be.
It’s quite common for people with migraines to have an episode at least once a month, or even weekly and daily for some!
Quality of life can be significantly impacted. A google search for ‘migraine cure’ has over 17,000 searches on a daily basis! That’s a lot of people eagerly seeking a solution to their migraine pain.
Recent research conducted by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), shows that in the UK alone, an estimated 6 million people suffer from frequent Migraines, with around 190,000 attacks happening every day!
What is a Migraine Attack?
A migraine is a moderate to severe headache, usually felt as a throbbing or stabbing pain on one side of the head. It’s different from a normal headache, both in terms of the level of pain and some of the other symptoms you’ll experience alongside it which can include nausea or vomiting, visual disturbances, and increased sensitivity to light and sound.
After a migraine attack has passed (which can last from anywhere between 2-3 hours to 2-3 days!) you may feel completely wiped out, cranky and weak, or some people feel incredibly relieved and refreshed – almost as if their bodies have reset. But either way, migraine is a very real problem and it’s worth looking at chiropractic treatment as a means of prevention and cure.
How can Chiropractic Treatment Help Migraines?
Chiropractic treatment is increasingly recognised as an effective way to help people suffering from migraine, in reducing the frequency, severity and duration of an attack.
A crucial step towards finding the most appropriate treatment for migraine is diagnosing the root cause.
There are a number of reasons why this might happen (including stress, hormone activity and diet) but musculoskeletal problems can be a major contributing factor.
•Many migraines and headaches are caused by irregularities and malfunction of the joints, ligaments and muscles of the neck, or the vertebral joints of your spine. These problems can lead to muscle tension and, or irritation of the complex nerves surrounding those structures. Chiropractic treatment can help by releasing tension.
•In some cases, ‘triggers’ of migraine, can be related to certain foods such as cheese, alcohol, and caffeine, or environmental factors such as light, sound, and noise. But chiropractic treatment can still be very effective because it restores function to the neck and relaxes muscles.
Causes of Migraine & When Chiropractic Treatment is effective
•An injury, poor posture, or long hours working at a desk can cause these muscles in your neck and base of the skull to tighten – your Chiropractor can treat this and give you posture and exercise advice.
•Migraine is often associated with high levels of stress. Today, more than ever, we are juggling demanding jobs with family life. Stress causes our muscles to tighten, affecting our neck and the base of the skull.
•Migraines can be hormonal or linked to a women’s menstrual cycle. In these cases, women often experience higher levels of muscle tension triggering painful headaches that can be alleviated by chiropractic treatment of the neck.
•Teeth grinding at night can also cause migraine and tension headaches because the muscles around the jaw and neck become very tight as a result.
What Does Chiropractic Treatment For Migraines Involve?
In an initial consultation, your chiropractor can assess your symptoms and spinal alignment. Chiropractors are trained to identify and correct the musculoskeletal problems that lead to migraines
A recommended treatment programme may include the following:
•Spinal manipulation or specialised chiropractic adjustments to improve spinal function and alleviate stress on your nervous system.
•Advice on general posture, ergonomics (desk posture), exercises, and relaxation techniques. This advice should help to relieve the recurring joint irritation and tension in the muscles of the neck and upper back.
•Acupuncture/Dry needling (to relieve muscle spasm and pain).
•Massage therapy alleviate immediate symptoms (This is sometimes advised on an ongoing basis to alleviate stress)
•Cold therapy to alleviate inflammation, pain, and muscle spasm.
Top Lifestyle Tips To Prevent Migraines
By following these simple guidelines, you can help prevent the onset of a migraine attack.
1. Ensure You Get Enough Sleep
Both too much sleep and too little sleep can trigger a migraine. Try and work out your optimum sleep time that leaves you feeling refreshed and stick with it.
2. Stay Hydrated
Even mild dehydration can trigger the onset of a migraine attack. Your recommended daily intake of fluids is 6-8 glasses of water, or around 2 litres a day. Limit caffeine and alcoholic drinks as they can also trigger headaches or have a dehydrating effect.
3. Get The Right Balance of Exercise
Sometimes too much exercise can spark a migraine, but no exercise at all will also increase the likelihood of muscle tension and stress. Regular and moderate activity will boost your overall health and keep you headache-free, even if it’s a brisk walk.
4. Don’t Skip Meals
Migraines can be triggered when your blood sugar drops, and your brain feels it first. You may find eating healthy snacks in between meals helps too. Aim to give your body the fuel it needs for the entire day.
5. Track Your Attacks
Keep a record of when you get migraines within a timeframe of about 2-3 months. By tracking your attacks, you can share this information with your GP and Chiropractor and gain valuable insight into what factors may be triggering them.
If you suffer with migraines and would like to talk to one of our chiropractors, call our friendly team on 01963 32986 or book a consultation via our website here
