Migraines are severe headaches that make it difficult, if not nearly impossible, to go about a normal day. Symptoms of migraine and tension headaches include sensitivity to light and sound, throbbing pain in the head, nausea, dizziness, and vomiting. These reactions can reoccur every time a new migraine comes on, even up to multiple times a week. What can people who suffer from frequent migraines do about it? A visit to the chiropractor can do wonders!
Migraines start in the brain, but are affected by the spine
Migraines are caused by abnormal brain activity and affect the sensory system. This is why these headaches cause a painful reaction to bright lights and loud noises. The brain is connected to the spinal cord inside the central nervous system. Since the brain and the spinal cord are connected, it makes sense that brain activity could be changed by a spinal adjustment at the chiropractor’s office! Follow the logic here- a spinal adjustment to the spine is part of the spinal cord connected to the brain, the brain controls brain activity and the sensory system…which is where migraine headaches begin!
How do we know for sure that chiropractic treatments can get rid of pain and symptoms that make it difficult to function? Let’s look at the evidence!
How does chiropractic care get rid of migraine pain?
Two studies looked at the treatment of tension headaches and migraines by using chiropractic care. This study confirmed that going to the chiropractor helped more than using cold or heat packs at home. Another study confirmed that chiropractic care did more to get rid of migraine symptoms than both over-the-counter and prescription medications! So, a chiropractic visit doesn’t come with the side effects that prescription medication does AND it is more effective in getting rid of migraines anyway!
Upper cervical spine adjustments really work!
Another study compared a chiropractic spinal adjustment to massage therapy to see which one did better to combat the symptoms of migraine headaches. Patients got a quick chiropractic adjustment to the upper cervical spine- that’s the part of the head and neck where the brain connects to the spinal cord. This one adjustment at the chiropractic office did FAR better than deep-tissue massage did to help headache pain. Getting the cervical spine adjustment reduced pain and intensity suffered from the migraines and helped people use pain medication less! Upper cervical chiropractors are especially skilled at cervical spine adjustments and can be an asset to migraine sufferers who want to use this treatment.
Near miraculous chiropractic care!
What if someone has had migraine symptoms for years? Can that person still be helped by visiting a chiropractor? Absolutely!
This research study followed three patients who suffered from migraine symptoms for years. One patient had recurring tension headaches for over 20 years! All three patients agreed that chiropractic treatment turned their lives around.
A particular case study examined an older woman who had chronic migraines for 60 years. That is an entire lifetime of headache pain! She had been unable to function through an entire day due to debilitating pain. After regular chiropractic visits, she did not suffer from any migraines again. When the study had been conducted, it had been 7 years since her last migraine. She attributed chiropractic care to her miraculous cure from migraines!
Schedule a chiropractic consultation today!
Anyone who suffers with frequent head pain, sensitivity to light or sound, nausea, dizziness, or other migraine and tension headache symptoms should see a chiropractor. Chiropractic care can reduce pain levels, reduce the use of medication, and even get rid of migraines entirely!
Read more about the studies here:
- Vernon, H.T. “The Effectiveness of Chiropractic Manipulation in the Treatment of Headache: an Exploration in the Literature.” Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (UK), 1995, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8775024.
- Boline, P.D., et al. “Spinal Manipulation vs. Amitriptyline for the Treatment of Chronic Tension-Type Headaches: a Randomized Clinical Trial.” Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1995, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7790794/.
- Nilsson, N, et al. “The Effect of Spinal Manipulation in the Treatment of Cervicogenic Headache.” Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 1997, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9200048/.
- Bernstein, Carolyn, et al. “Integrating Chiropractic Care Into the Treatment of Migraine Headaches in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Case Series.” Global Advances in Health and Medicine, SAGE Publications, 28 Mar. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6440032/.
- Tuchin, Peter J. “A Case of Chronic Migraine Remission after Chiropractic Care.” Journal of Chiropractic Medicine
