Can Chiropractic Treat Migraines?
Chronic migraines affect more than 35 million people in the United States each year. Unlike a headache, a migraine has a broad range of debilitating symptoms that may severely compromise one’s quality of life. Vision loss, head pain, pins and needles in the arms and legs, weakness and numbness, visual distortion, and even trouble speaking are examples of symptoms that migraines might induce. Furthermore, migraines can cause problems with digestion, heart rate, and muscular contractions throughout the body.
There are typically some indicators that can be detected before a migraine begins. The prodrome phase is when these symptoms appear. Regular migraine sufferers recognize the patterns of their body’s “tells” prior to a migraine, which is why they can identify the prodrome phase.
Although some people can identify the prodrome stage and take appropriate steps to prevent a migraine attack, it is not a realistic goal for all of the millions of migraine sufferers who suffer from regular, debilitating migraines. Instead, most sufferers are “out of commission” for hours or days as a result of their attacks. Continue reading to learn more about chiropractic treatment and how it may assist you or someone you care about.
Every person’s migraine is different, so the underlying causes are different, too.
According to recent research, what causes a migraine may differ from person to person. The most commonly accepted notion among scientists is that stress is responsible for migraines, but the manner in which stress manifests itself in each individual’s body depends on their lifestyle, genetics, and environment. It isn’t surprising that migraines have such a wide range of severity depending on each person, but certain aspects remain consistent.
A migraine attack may be divided into four major phases. The prodrome phase, the aura, the attack stage, and the postdrome phase are all part of a migraine episode. nThe cycle of the body and how it comes on to heal is crucial to understanding chiropractic’s beneficial impact.
Migraines are debilitating headaches that can cause a wide range of symptoms. There are typically some indicators that can be detected before a migraine begins. The prodrome phase is when these symptoms appear. The attack stage is when the migraine hits full force. The postdrome phase is the recovery period.
The Prodrome Phase
The prodrome phase, which is entirely distinct from the attack itself, lasts up to two days before the typical symptoms of a migraine begin. In the prodrome phase, mood swings, constipation, an increase in food consumption, stiffness in the neck and body, and an increased need to drink more fluids and urinate more are all possible. Even if the sufferer doesn’t feel exhausted, frequent and irregular yawning can be observed during this period.
The prodrome period begins hours to days before an attack. Those who have chronic and recurring migraines may benefit from knowing these indicators in order to reduce any additional stress they are under, but this isn’t always enough to prevent the migraine. Increasing hydration, getting more rest, or utilizing over-the-counter or prescription pain medication can all help minimize the chance of a seizure.
During the prodromal stage, chiropractic treatment may be quite beneficial in preventing a migraine attack.
The Aura
If you experience a migraine aura, it does not necessarily indicate that you will have a migraine. Although most people with migraines will go through the aura stage, this is not true for everyone. The aura can be frightening because it has similarities to vertigo, stroke, and epilepsy.
Visual Distortions are a typical feature of the aura phase in a migraine. During each migraine, individuals may see the same visual abnormalities, or they might vary. Flickering lights, beams, spots of light (think on a lens flare), blind spots in one or both eyes, difficulty focusing, and blurred vision are examples of visual malformations. Hallucinations, mental fog, or stray past memories can also appear during the aura stage of a migraine in more severe cases.
There are several different sorts of anomalies that occur during the aura phase of a migraine, and they aren’t limited to visual distortions. You may feel phantom tingles and sensations in various regions of your body, including your face or hands. It might be tough to speak clearly or comprehend what people are saying to you due to migraines. Your capacity to concentrate, interpret written words, or think logically can all be affected by migraines.
Relief is still possible, even during the aura phase of a migraine headache. This is determined by the severity of the aura, the amount of stress present in the patient’s life, and other factors such as lifestyle and environmental influences.
The Attack Phase
The attack phase is the most common component of a migraine headache. With regard to intensity, migraines usually outrank headaches due to the overall force of the migraine and its potential to affect many body regions at once.
A headache frequently occurs during the attack stage of a migraine. The pain may start above or between the eyes and usually gets worse on one side of the head or face. When a person with a migraine bends forward or engages in any sort of physical activity, his throbbing will most likely increase.
Moving and attempting to be active during the onset of a migraine is unlikely to assist, instead exacerbating stress. During the peak of the attack phase, migraine sufferers are more sensitive to light, sound, and smell. They will typically feel lightheaded, faint, nauseous, and have unpleasant gastrointestinal issues as a result of this.
A migraine in its assault stage can make it difficult or impossible to carry on with your normal routine. The attack phase frequently incapacitates the victim, making it difficult or even impossible to enjoy their life during the time it lasts.
The Postdrome Phase
During the postdrome stage of a migraine, your body recovers. Most migraine sufferers report feeling relieved and having residual symptoms throughout this period. They may feel weary, sluggish, and even bewildered. If they sit up too quickly, lean forward, or engage in any type of activity that directs blood to the head region, it’s probable they’ll suffer discomfort.
How Chiropractic Helps with Migraines
Chiropractic treatment has shown to help people who suffer from regular migraines get relief faster and more completely. Although researchers still don’t know what causes migraines apart from stress and sleep deprivation, there is a strong link between the state of the central nervous system (brain and spine) and migraine pain and intensity. Because chiropractic treatment improves the central nervous system, it’s conceivable that this is because of the connection between it and the rest of the body.
The treatment helps to regulate the functioning of the central and peripheral nervous systems when it is administered to a patient. This regulating influence can be achieved through direct contact between the therapy and the body (on the joints, muscles, and tissues) or indirectly via movement (as a result of chiropractic treatment). Chiropractic therapy activates and resets the nervous system, allowing it to return to its normal healthful state while also providing the balancing effect for which it is recognized.
At Your Appointment
Migraines are one of the most common types of headaches, affecting an enormous percentage of the United States population, across all ages and stages of life. Migraines can be debilitating and can significantly reduce a person’s quality of life.
If you’re struggling with migraines in Alameda, CA or Oakland, CA, chiropractic care may be able to help. At your appointment, your expert chiropractor will take a complete health history and ask about your migraines, their frequency, intensity, and duration. They’ll also ask about any other health conditions you have and medications you’re taking.
Your chiropractor will then do a physical exam, which may include tests of your reflexes, range of motion, and muscle strength. They may also order X-rays or other imaging tests if they suspect that something else is causing your migraines. Once they have all the information they need, they’ll develop a treatment plan specifically for you.
If you live in Oakland, CA or Alameda, CA and suffer from migraines, it’s time to get the help you need. Dr. Cindy Boyd is a Chiropractic BioPhysics®-certified chiropractor with over a decade of experience dealing with migraines and migraine-related issues.
Dr. Boyd and her staff are certain that the relief you want is only a few clicks away, after assisting hundreds of patients in alleviating their worst symptoms and ailments. Dr. Boyd and her team will work with you to develop a tailored treatment plan that is suited to your specific demands, thanks to cutting-edge technology. If you’re looking for a chiropractor who can help you manage migraines, back pain, neck discomfort, digestive difficulties, or any other problem, contact Dr. Cindy Boyd today.