Saturday 12th October
Migraines are more than just your ordinary garden-variety headache! They are debilitating and usually impact your quality of life a lot. Pain meds and lifestyle changes are common options for managing migraines but… how can a chiropractor help with migraines?.
Chiropractic has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional migraine treatments for many sufferers. In this post, we’ll explain what causes migraines, how a chiropractor can help with migraines, and when chiropractic care is most likely to be effective with your migraine.
If you’re one of the 11 million Brits who suffer from this debilitating disorder, read on…
Migraines can have many triggering causes – from simple family genetics to diet, sleep disorders, and environmental factors. Whilst chiropractic care can’t help with some of these, it can help with others. That said, here are some of the more common causes of migraine.
Unfortunately, if migraines run in your family you have a greater chance of having them.
Many migraine sufferers find that certain auditory triggers, like bright lights, strong smells, and loud noises, can bring on a migraine attack.
Proportionately more women than men suffer from migraines and it comes down to hormones. Although both sexes have the same hormones, women tend to have more hormone-driven life events (menstrual cycles, pregnancy, menopause).
These are responsible for some intense hormonal fluctuations that can trigger migraines.
Some foods and drinks are proven migraine triggers – caffeine, and tyramine-containing foods are amongst the primary culprits.
Tyramine is found in fermented, cured, aged, and pickled foods where it occurs as a by-product of the fermentation process. That means your favourite aged cheeses, pickles, and luncheon meats are not a wise dietary choice if they happen to trigger your migraines!
Alcohol as a migraine trigger on the other hand is inconsistent in terms of proof. However, you shouldn’t take this as a carte blanche to go out and overindulge because, whilst its role in migraines is ‘under investigation’, it is still very much implicated in many other health and behavioural disorders!
Stress, particularly chronic stress, is a well-known trigger for tension headaches and migraines.
We talk about the importance of good quality sleep often and for good reason. Lack of sleep, poor quality sleep, or changes in sleep patterns can all contribute to migraines.
Chiropractic treatment can’t ‘cure’ migraines per se. What it does is focus on correcting spinal misalignments to ensure optimal nervous system health and performance.
A healthy nervous system in turn supports the body’s natural ability to heal and function at its best. This, along with reduced muscle tension in the neck and shoulders, may lead to reduced frequency and intensity of migraines.
Chiropractic treatment also can’t ‘treat’ all types of migraines. Those caused by genetics, diet, auditory sensitivity, hormonal changes and so on likely won’t benefit from chiropractic adjustments. However, chiropractors may be able to offer lifestyle advice and various other supportive therapies that can help.
Spinal adjustments and soft tissue therapy, on the other hand, can be effective in relieving muscle tension in the neck and upper back that triggers, or contributes to tension caused migraines. This tension is often brought on by poor posture and physical stress on the muscles and tendons in these areas.
A number of small research projects and reviews of existing research indicate that many migraine sufferers who seek chiropractic care experience fewer and less intense migraines after treatment.
This may be due to a reduction of pressure and irritation on nerves in the spine after adjustments. Chiropractic treatments can also encourage muscle relaxation and reduce stress. These are both known migraine triggers so reducing them can help reduce migraine frequency.
In addition to adjustments, chiropractors will often recommend various holistic supportive therapies that can help with migraines. This may include ergonomic and lifestyle advice, massage, acupuncture, myofascial release, and soft tissue therapy.
When you book in for migraine treatment with a chiropractor, the process will likely involve the following:
In addition to traditional approaches to migraine management, chiropractic has some advanced techniques that can also be used to help you manage your migraine.
Neuromuscular re-education is retraining your neck and upper back muscles to improve your posture and reduce strain on your spine. The aim is to help improve nerve function and reduce your pain.
Low-level laser therapy uses light to reduce inflammation and pain. It’s a painless procedure that increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain. Research is ongoing but some studies indicate it can be effective in reducing migraine frequency and intensity.
Cranial manipulation targets the skull and jaw with gentle manipulations to improve mobility of the bones. It aims to relieve tension in the muscles and fascia around the head and neck.
Chiropractic care for migraines is a holistic approach that aims to address underlying issues that may trigger migraines. Correcting these gives your body the best possible chance to fight off migraines and associated pain.
This may be through spinal adjustments that reduce nerve irritation and promote muscle relaxation, lifestyle advice, and various supportive therapies.
Further to this, chiropractic does not take a ‘one size fits all’ approach to your healthcare. Rather, your treatment programme will be customised to suit you, and your migraines.
