Chiropractic Benefits: If you have ever had a migraine before, then you know that it is much more than a simple headache. The symptoms of a migraine can be debilitating, lasting hours and even days. According to the Migraine Research Foundation, it is the eighth-most disabling disease in the world. It is estimated that 38 million people in the United States alone suffer from migraine headaches. That’s around one in every ten people.

According to the Migraine Research Foundation, headaches are complicated to treat and even more difficult to control. This is mainly because doctors still don’t know exactly what causes it. This leaves it undiagnosed in many patients and often terribly undertreated in those with a diagnosis.

Best many doctors seem to prescribe pain medication that has undesirable side effects of managing the symptoms. However, chiropractic has been shown in several studies to effectively manage the pain of migraines but also helps stop and prevent them.

Anatomy Of A Migraine Headache

There are two types of migraines, those with an aura and those without an aura. An aura can appear up to an hour before the onset of a migraine. It is a warning sign that usually presents as a disturbance that is either visual or olfactory. The person may see flashes of light or smell particular odors before the headache begins. An aura precedes about one in six migraines.

Once the migraine begins, the pain is typically on one side of the head, although this is not always the case. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to noise, sensitivity to light, and smell. Some patients experience an inability to concentrate, hot or cold flashes, stiffness in the neck or shoulders, slurred speech, loss of coordination, and in rare cases, loss of consciousness.

The migraine can last several minutes, hours, or even days. Afterward, the patient may feel fatigued or washed out. They may be unable to concentrate and either lethargic or extremely energetic.

Studies Show: Chiropractic As A Migraine Treatment

There have been several clinical studies on chiropractic as a treatment for migraine headaches. The results of one study reported that 22 percent of patients who received chiropractic treatment for their migraines reported that their attacks were reduced by more than 90 percent. Additionally, 49 percent reported that the intensity of their migraines was significantly reduced.

Another study randomly assigned people with migraine headaches several different treatments. One group was given Elavil, a daily medication, another group was given chiropractic treatment, and a third group received a combination of the two treatments. The results showed that chiropractic was as effective in reducing migraines as the medication, and it had fewer side effects. Other studies have also found that chiropractic is as effective as medication for treating and preventing migraines or tension headaches.

Chiropractic Benefits For Migraines Headaches

Spinal adjustments are very effective as a treatment for migraines. The whole-body approach of chiropractic also utilizes dietary recommendations, including foods to avoid and lifestyle changes.

The patient may be counseled on managing stress, advised to engage in exercise, and given supplements. The treatments may be used to reduce the pain and severity of a migraine once it begins, or they can prevent migraines and reduce their frequency.

Chiropractic benefits everyone and is a safer treatment with fewer side effects than prescription medications. Chiropractic is quickly becoming the treatment of choice for many migraine sufferers. As the studies show, it works! So if you or a loved one suffer from migraines, give us a call. Our Doctor of Chiropractic is here to help!

Injury & Chiropractic Clinic: Migraine & Chronic Pain Treatment