You may be wondering if there are good reasons to see a chiropractor for migraines. We are going to take a closer look at what migraines are, examine a study that shows the benefits of chiropractic for migraines, and introduce you to a specific form of chiropractic that may be your best option when it comes to finding natural migraine relief.
To understand why you should see a chiropractor for migraines, we first need to take a closer look at this condition. Here are some of the facts that you should know when it comes to migraines.
This is more than just a headache. Migraines are a neurological condition with a host of symptoms that may vary from person to person. Some of the more common symptoms may include sensory sensitives, nausea, and neck pain. In fact, this last symptom is so common that it really makes sense to look at the neck for the source of migraines.
The primary preventative measure taken for migraines is to keep track of your triggers in a migraine journal and then avoid the ones that you can. While this may only eliminate a small portion of migraines, every attack you can prevent is a victory.
One of the most insidious triggers is medication overuse, which can lead to rebound headaches. When migraines occur frequently, a person may begin taking headache medication to relieve acute symptoms. Unfortunately, pharmaceutical companies did not design these drugs for frequent or long-term use. As a result, many people have become involved in a cycle that leads to more and more medication use as rebound headaches occur more frequently.
Because of the possible side effects of medication use, some people who are living with this condition have decided to search for drug-free relief. But is there any evidence that chiropractic can help with migraines? Consider the results of a study from 2012 regarding migraines and chiropractic care.
In the study, a combination of adjustments from a chiropractor along with massage reduced the intensity of migraines for patients by an average of 68%. The ten male patients had an average pain score of 5.0 going into the study. Following gentle massage and stretching, a chiropractor adjusted each of the patients. A reduction in pain score took place to an average of 0.5 within an hour of the adjustment. None of the patients reported any type of significant side effect.
Of course, one study with ten patients alone doesn’t make a foolproof case for chiropractic being the key to migraine relief. However, this is just adding to the evidence that already existed from previous studies. Plus, there are numerous case studies regarding one specific form of chiropractic. What is it, and why may this specific type of chiropractic care hold the secret to conquering migraines for good?
Upper cervical specific chiropractic targets the C1 and C2 vertebrae located at the base of the skull. These bones are in a unique position to affect migraine occurrence. How so? Consider the following three points:
When the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) become misaligned, it can throw off blood flow to the brain. This is because the cervical vertebrae facilitate this blood flow through the vertebral foramen, bone loops that provide arteries with safe passage. If this impacts blood flow to certain parts of the brain, it can lead to the many symptoms of migraines.
The atlas surrounds and protects the brainstem right at the central location where it meets the spinal cord. This area is vital for all sorts of involuntary body functions, and a misalignment can lead to pressure that inhibits brainstem function. Migraines are just one possible result of this alteration to the role of the brainstem.
Upper cervical misalignments can also prevent cerebrospinal fluid from draining properly. This, in turn, can cause pressure to build up in the skull. Increased intracranial pressure is another factor when it comes to neurological conditions like migraines.
Clearly, there are many factors related to the upper neck that can lead to the onset of migraines. This makes it vital for anyone living with this neurological condition to seek the help of an upper cervical chiropractor to correct even the slightest of subluxations.
Upper cervical chiropractors are specially trained to detect and correct even the slightest of misalignment of the C1 and C2 vertebrae. Precise measurements are taken by means of diagnostic imaging to ensure consideration down to fractions of a millimeter. This gives the doctor the ability to customize corrections for each patient.
Upper cervical adjustments are always gentle. Some patients often wonder if anything even moved in their neck until they begin to see the astounding results. This is an excellent way to receive drug-free care that is safe for anyone in the family.
To learn more, or to schedule a no-obligation consultation, we encourage you to contact the nearest upper cervical specific chiropractic office. You may find that seeing an upper cervical chiropractor for migraines is just what you needed. Use the search feature on this website to find one of our preferred doctors.
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The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
