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Headaches or Migraines

Chiropractic, Migraines and Headaches

It can be said that there are as many different causes for headaches as there are people suffering with headaches. It may come as a surprise to you that approximately 70% of headaches originate from the structures in your neck, referred to as cervicogenic headache. The International Headache Society splits them up into three main groups: migraines (with/without aura), tension type and cluster type headaches.

What is a Migraine?

Migraine is very common in the population, affecting a whopping 15% of poople. Incidence of migraine is three times more likely in women (sorry ladies) than men. If you’ve ever had one you’ll know of the devastating affects it can have on your ability to work, socialise and even perform the simplest of day to day tasks. They are so common, that most suffers think it is something they’ll just have to learn to live with for the rest of their days, subjected to a life long list of prescribed medication and their possible side effects.

Fortunately does not necessarily need to be the case for so many. While medicine is often effective at dealing with the symptoms. However, there is more possibilities than just masking the pain. There are a number of different ways to manage your migraines, and chiropractic is one of them.

Migraines without Aura

Are typically characterised by a unilateral (one-sided) location, pulsating quality, moderate – server intensity, aggravated by routine physical activity and associated with nausea with/without vomiting and/or photophobia (sensitivity to light) and phonophobia (sensitivity to loud noises). The attacks can last anywhere from 4-72 hours, usually forcing the sufferer to bed.

Migraines with Aura

Typically these present in the same manner as without aura, however, are usually distinguished by a number of neurological like symptoms, including visual disturbances and/or dizziness, that sometimes present before or at the onset of the headache. This can sometimes last for hours or days before and after the headache.

Headache / Migraine Triggers

Migraines or headaches can have certain triggers as well, the common ones are; chocolate, cheese, nuts, caffeine, nitrates (hiding in salty cured meats like bacon and salami) and that innocent glass of red wine at the end of the night. So, pretty much anything you like to snack and enjoy, sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Other less common and slightly harder to control include your quality of sleep, stress and hormonal cycles (again, sorry ladies). If your a regular sufferer have you tried eliminating some of these food groups from your diet yet?

Chiropractic Treatment for Headaches or Migraines

Most people wouldn’t necessarily associate chiropractic care with that of migraines and headaches, but more back pain and neck pain. Over the years research has shown that with chiropractic treatment, through gentle spinal adjustments, the majority of people will have a positive change in headache and/or migraine frequency, severity and duration.

Check this out: Chiropractic and Migraines

“Based on the existing evidence, chiropractic care may be helpful for several conditions, including migraine.”

Stress on the spine can also be associated with headaches and migraines, and occur in a number of different ways. The obvious ones being trauma such as falls or car crashes, the other less obvious ones include prolonged poor posture, including sitting at a desk or in a vehicle for extended periods of time.

It is through the adjustments that motion and function to the spine can be restored and corrected over time. Chiropractors have extensive training in the analysis, detection and correction of these musculoskeletal problems. The treatment (spinal adjustments) takes the pressure off the surrounding structures; muscles, ligaments, tendons and discs, all of which can either refer pain up to the head or secondarily irritate a nerve associated with headaches/Migraine.

If you, or anyone you know is suffering with any of the above encourage them to look up chiropractic. If you have any questions on anything covered here today, just get in touch and we will gladly answer any questions you might have.

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