Migraines & Chiropractic
Do you experience migraines or know someone who does? According to the American Brain Foundation, 12% of the population globally suffer from migraines along with 15% of the US population. Being one of the most common neurological diseases, the negative aspects can be overwhelming but what most people do not know is that there is hope for relief and that can be found in chiropractic.
What is a migraine?
A migraine is a type of headache that causes severe pain or throbbing in the head. These episodes can often be accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light, visual disturbances, difficulty speaking, pain in the jaws, or tingling on one side of the face. Migraine attacks can vary in duration and have been reported to last anywhere from 4-72 hours but are known to have four stages.
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Stage 1: Prodrome
Some symptoms may even appear a day or two before the migraine begins. These can include neck stiffness, frequent yawning, food cravings, and even mood changes.
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Stage 2: Aura
Before or after a migraine, some individuals have reported seeing an “aura” or also known as visual disturbances. Examples of auras include vision loss, pins and needles in the limbs, weakness or numbness on one side of the face, and bright spots in the vision.
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Stage 3: Attack
This is the stage where the pain usually begins. This particular type of pain is often described as a throbbing or pulsating in the head. Many people also report nausea and light sensitivity in this stage.
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Stage 4: Post-drome
After an attack, feelings of confusion and fatigue are often common although there have been studies that have shown feelings of happiness and relief once the migraine passes.
How does chiropractic help?
A chiropractor is a doctor who specializes in correcting spinal misalignment, also known as a “subluxation”. A skilled chiropractor can help to relieve the symptoms of a migraine as well as other types of headaches through precise manual manipulations. When there is a spinal misalignment, particularly in the cervical spine, the nerves that supply the neck and face can become irritated. An adjustment can reduce the irritation and inflammation which provides relief of the migraine.
Acupuncture is also a highly effective solution for the relief of migraines. In our office, we use a technique called “dry needling”. Dry needling is a single-insertion sterile needle used to restore oxygen and nutrients to muscle that has undergone a loss of blood supply due to a prolonged or inappropriate contraction. This loss can cause soreness in the area and radiate upward into the head causing migraine symptoms. It is termed “dry” needling because it injects nothing into the body, but draws normal blood supply back to the area to release tension and return to normal state.
Learn more about the benefits of chiropractic and migraines in Maryville, TN
At Marsh Chiropractic and Wellness Center, Dr. Marsh and his team can help you find relief from migraines through chiropractic adjustments, corrective therapies, and dry needling. Call us today to schedule an appointment, or schedule an appointment online.
Sources:
Lambrou, Dr. D. (2022, September 23). Can a chiropractor help with migraines?. Northeast Spine and Sports Medicine. https://www.northeastspineandsports.com/blog/can-a-chiropractor-help-with-migraines/
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2023, July 7). Migraine. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20360201
