Migraines are severe, throbbing, painful headaches that are sometimes accompanied by a warning that they are about to occur called an aura. The pain from migraines can last for a few hours or for a few days. Approximately 39 million of those living in the USA have migraines. People in the age range of 15 to 55 years most often experience migraines.
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It is possible that due to genetics, you may be more sensitive to what triggers migraines than others. Some of these triggers include:
When diary data from 155 women with migraines were compared to those without migraines, it was seen that migraines occurred 1.7 times more often during a menstruation cycle and were 2.1 times more likely to be severe in the first three days of menstruation.
Being a woman can be tough when it comes to fighting migraines. A change in hormone levels, as noted above, is a contributing factor to the onset of migraines. The hormones estrogen and progesterone are vital players when it comes to regulating the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. These hormones may very likely affect headache-related chemicals in the brain. Therefore, keeping estrogen levels steady can help improve headaches. And, knowing that migraines may get worse when estrogen levels drop can help women be prepared.
The drop in estrogen that women experience just before their periods can certainly bring on migraines. Here are some things you can do to help with this:
Although this article is mainly dealing with migraines due to hormonal changes, the method we practice as upper cervical chiropractors can help anyone who has migraines. Before we tell you what the method is, let’s see what proof exists that it actually works.
A study observed 101 headache patients, including those with migraines. Out of these 101, as many as 87 were able to recall a specific trauma that happened before the onset of their migraines. Most of the trauma had to do with whiplash, falls, or concussions. It was discovered each of these 101 patients had a misalignment in the top bone of their neck, the C1 or atlas bone. Each of them was given an upper cervical adjustment tailored to their specific needs. After just 1 to 8 months of care, 85 reported their headaches were completely gone. The rest saw a great improvement in the severity and frequency of their headaches and migraines.
The method we use does not involve cracking or forcing the spine or neck in any way. Rather, the method is based on scientific measurements and it encourages the bones to move back into place by a very specific, gentle method. This leads to a longer-lasting, more reliable adjustment. It helps to restore the communication between the brain and body -- something that is often hindered when the misalignment puts pressure on the brainstem, causing it to malfunction. Once this is corrected, many patients see similar results to those reported on in the above study.
TV show host Montel Williams describes how specific chiropractic care has helped his body.
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.