If you are a migraine sufferer, you can probably relate to this scenario. You are in bed dealing with a migraine. You cancel plans with a friend or call in sick to work because you won’t be able to get out of bed today other than to drag yourself down the hall to the bathroom. The response you get from your friend or employer is something to the effect of, “You’re going to let a headache keep you down?”
The sad fact is that most people just don’t get it. They think migraine is just a code word for a bad headache. Or worse, some people think it is a made up excuse for calling in sick to work or because you feel like being antisocial today. As a result, misunderstandings may affect a friendship or a career.
We’re going to look at four facts that set the record straight by showing just how disabling migraines can be. Then we will consider a natural form of care that has been providing hope for many, even chronic migraine patients.
If you think you are all alone in missing out on work or fun due to migraines, this should be a real eye-opener. The fact is that people all over the world are considered disabled due the debilitating effects that migraines can have on a person. Also, according to the World Health Organization, the number one cause of disability is now depression (it used to be back pain). A person who gets migraines is at a higher risk of developing depression, so this adds to the likelihood of disability.
1.2 million of those ER visits each year turns out to be an acute migraine. This shows how bad the pain of migraines can be – more than a million ER visits in the US alone. Most people would agree that anything bad enough to cause someone to seek out emergency medical attention is definitely disabling.
Most migraineurs only experience one to two episodes per month. That can be debilitating enough. However, about 4 million people have to deal with chronic migraines. That means experiencing 15 days per month or more of migraines. Some people even have to cope with chronic daily migraine. Clearly, people in this category are more likely to be disabled by the condition. Also, people who have chronic migraines are more likely to experience depression and anxiety.
Think about what that means for a person who gets one to two migraines per month. Since migraines can last anywhere from 4 hours to 72 hours and involve a prodrome (symptoms that occur up to a day before) and a postdrome (symptoms that can occur for up to several days following an episode), that means a person may lose a week or two of productivity per month. Now multiply that for a person who experiences chronic migraines. He or she may never experience a day with the ability to function normally. This can lead to disability, strained relationships, and difficulty caring for a home. Finding relief from migraines is vital, and medication is rarely the best option.
If you are searching for a natural way to reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks, we would like to introduce you to upper cervical chiropractic. If you have tried chiropractic for your migraines before, don’t be disillusioned. Upper cervical chiropractic is very different. For example:
Now that you know some of the big differences between upper cervical chiropractic care and general chiropractic, let’s focus specifically on the benefits for migraine patients. Relieving misalignments may correct blood flow issues for the brain or restore proper brainstem function. For some migraine patients, this has led to fewer and less severe migraines. For others, it has meant complete resolution of migraines. To learn more, contact a practitioner in your area and schedule a consultation.
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.