A migraine is a type of headache that causes episodes of moderate to severe throbbing pain, often on one side of the head. Migraine pain can last anywhere from a few hours to several days and may occur frequently. 1 in 7 American adults suffer from migraines.
Migraines are mainly characterized by headaches, although other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, sensitivity to light and sound, and mood changes may follow. The exact cause of migraines remains unknown, but inflammation of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems is believed to play a key role. Migraines can be triggered by several factors, including low blood sugar, stress, hormonal changes, loud noises, bright lights, and even dietary choices.
Conventional treatment for migraines usually involves medications that either prevent future attacks or provide symptomatic relief during an attack. These medications can be effective, but their long-term use often leads to side effects such as gastrointestinal problems, chest tightness, fatigue, and mood disorders. In contrast, chiropractic treatment offers a natural alternative that focuses on restoring balance in the central nervous system through non-invasive methods.
Chiropractors commonly use two techniques for managing migraines: spinal manipulative therapy (CSMT) and the Gonstead method. Both spinal manipulative and Gonstead techniques aim to reduce the frequency and severity of migraines without the risks associated with long-term medication use.
Learn more in this article about these chiropractic techniques, as well as other important aspects of migraines, like their symptoms, causes, and triggers.
What Is a Migraine?
Migraine is a type of headache characterized by episodes of moderate to severe throbbing and pulsating pain on one side of the head. Migraine pain may last anywhere between 2 hours to 3 days and may occur several times a week. Migraine headaches remain a common cause of disability and loss of work, highlighting how significant they can be in the short- and long-term.
Different types of migraine headaches exist, with the two major types being:
- Migraine headache without aura: Also known as common migraine, migraine headaches without aura have no warning signs – they just happen. Migraine without aura is the most typical type of migraine attack, making up around 75% of all cases.
- Migraine headache with aura: Also known as classic migraine, migraine with aura has warning signs like visual disturbances, numbness or tingling, confusion, nausea, and increased light sensitivity that occur about 10 to 60 minutes before the actual migraine attack.
What Are the Symptoms of Migraines?
Headache is the overwhelming symptom of migraine headaches. However, there are other symptoms, such as mood changes, increased thirst and urination, increased sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and confusion. The symptoms a person presents with depend on the type of migraine and the headache phase.
A migraine is not nearly as straightforward as just getting a headache, despite headaches being in the name. In fact, there are times when an individual may have a migraine attack without necessarily having the headache. To better characterize migraines, the symptoms fall into four phases, duly explained below.
- Prodrome: The prodrome phase may develop about 24 hours before the migraine attack itself, with symptoms including yawning, unique food cravings, mood changes, sweating, increased thirst and urination, fluid retention, and increased sensitivity to light and sound. Symptoms of the prodrome phase result from changes in the brain and some of its neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain). Around 8 in 10 patients experience these symptoms.
- Aura: The aura phase majorly comprises symptoms that affect the visual sense. These symptoms are also due to the changes in the brain’s normal functioning. Typically, patients will experience bright or flashing lights or shapes, which may also be accompanied by tingling sensations and other symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.
- Headache: The headache phase is the one most associated with migraines. Migraine pain is generally unilateral, meaning pain occurs on only one side of the head. The pain is usually throbbing and gradually increases in intensity. Nausea, vomiting, light and sound sensitivity, and increased pain sensitivity may follow. The headache phase can last for days.
- Postdrome: The postdrome phase of a migraine is characterized by exhaustion, dizziness, and confusion. Postdrome may last an entire day before the individual goes back to normal.
What Are the Causes of Migraines?
The exact cause of migraines remains unknown, but it is widely accepted that migraines are linked to inflammation of the neurons in the peripheral and central nervous systems. Neuron inflammation increases neuron sensitivity, which may explain migraine symptoms like increased visual and hearing sensitivity during attacks.
Interestingly, the exact cause of a migraine attack is still beyond the grasp of science. However, the broad causes of migraines are more evident. The peripheral and central nervous systems of the body are affected during migraine attacks, which is consistent with the symptoms and phases of the attack.
More specifically, there may be an inflammation of some of the neuronal components and chemical messengers in the brain. Note that neurons are responsible for information exchange in the body. Therefore, chemical messengers are often seen in the spinal fluid of people who have had migraine for a long time (chronic migraine). Further, neuronal inflammation can increase their sensitivity, explaining all of the visual and hearing sensitivity migraine symptoms.
Triggers of Migraines
Migraine triggers include low sugar levels, stress, loud noises, bright lights, mental health problems, and alcohol. The exact trigger for each individual differs. Also, there is a strong genetic component to migraines, so an individual’s potential triggers may be related to those of their relatives who also suffer from migraines.
Although the jury is still out on the exact cause of migraine headaches, there is much less debate on the potential triggers. These triggers are as follows.
- Low sugar levels
- Too much caffeine
- Stress
- Hormonal changes, especially due to periods
- Anxiety and depression
- Sudden weather changes
- Bright or flashing lights
- Loud noises
- Alcohol
- Birth control pills
- Intense smells
Treatment of Migraines
Conventional medicine largely centers the treatment of migraines around medications. Migraine medications are divided into two categories, depending on when they are used: abortive therapy and preventive treatment. Medications that help relieve the symptoms of the migraine attack are categorized as abortive therapy. On the other hand, medications that help prevent future migraine attacks are in the preventive treatment category.
Unfortunately, there’s a big but familiar issue with using these medications – side effects. All drugs can potentially cause dangerous health effects, and this potential only ever increases with long-term use. This side-effect problem persists with migraine medications, and they have a range of potentially dangerous side effects, ranging from gastrointestinal disturbances, tightness of the chest and jaw, fatigue, confusion, mood disorders, fluid retention, and sexual dysfunction… the list is endless, really.
Considering how frequently many people have these migraine attacks, even reaching chronic levels (attacks at least 15 days a month) for some, using medications for migraines can lead to further health problems.
Migraines Chiropractic Treatment
Simply put, chiropractic is a form of functional medicine that focuses on the body’s ability to heal itself. Chiropractic medicine strongly revolves around getting to the root cause of a condition and trying to address this root cause rather than just treating the symptoms.
Even though the exact cause of migraines is not yet fully clear, we have a pretty good idea of the broad causes and triggers. Chiropractic can help manage migraine headaches and their accompanying neurological symptoms by taking advantage of this knowledge. Scientific research from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health also supports the confidence in chiropractic management for migraines, as around 86% of chiropractic care to adults is for pain management.
The chiropractic treatment of chronic migraines has also shown encouraging results. What’s more, chiropractors do not rely on medications to effect treatment, meaning there is typically little to no risk of adverse health effects. Chiropractic treatment is both safe and effective for migraines.
How Chiropractors Can Help With Migraines
Chiropractors can help manage migraines through different techniques, particularly spinal manipulative therapy and the Gonstead method. We will briefly explain them.
Spinal Manipulative Therapy
Spinal manipulative therapy involves applying force to a joint in the spine to restore balance and allow the body to complete the healing process. Also known as CSMT (chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy), spinal manipulative therapy is effective in managing the symptoms of a migraine attack.
A study from the Northwestern Health Sciences University, Bloomington, MN, USA, found that spinal manipulative therapy can give an effect comparable to first-line prescription medications used for migraines. CSMT also does this without the many side effects that medications may bring. The few side effects associated with CSMT are often mild and go away within a day.
Gonstead Method
The Gonstead approach is a high velocity, low amplitude (HVLA) technique. The Gonstead technique is the second most commonly used for the management of migraine headaches. The Gonstead method is a form of manual chiropractic adjustment similar to spinal manipulative therapy
However, unlike spinal manipulative therapy, the Gonstead method emphasizes precision and more targeted, slower adjustments of the spine. By focusing on precision, there is minimal rotational adjustment of the spine, focusing instead on corrections that are parallel to the disk plane.
An experienced chiropractor can use the Gonstead method and spinal manipulative therapy to effectively manage migraines. Spinal manipulative therapy and the Gonstead method both utilize the principles of functional medicine in managing migraine attacks, as both include a proper physical examination and root cause analysis.
How to Find a Chiropractor?
You can find a chiropractor at the Bay Clinic of Chiropractic if you live in Panama City and its surrounding areas. Dr. Tony Salameh, our lead chiropractor, is knowledgeable and experienced in managing different neuromusculoskeletal conditions, including migraines. Dr. Tony will help you find a personalized treatment plan through a thorough assessment of your symptoms and provide relevant advice for reducing the frequency and severity of your migraines.
The benefits of chiropractic in migraine treatment are based on the fact that the treatment assesses both the physical and mental symptoms and their potential causes. However, to fully reap these benefits, you need the services of a chiropractor who is experienced in the proper diagnosis of migraines and how to get to their potential causes. Give us a call today at (850) 785-9372 or reach us through our email info@thebaydoctor.com.
Home Treatment
One of these strategies for reducing the frequency and severity of migraines is reducing stress through different relaxation techniques. More than 80% of people who have migraine attacks report stress as a major factor for the attacks, per studies by the Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia. Therefore, relaxation techniques, like meditation, breathing exercises, regular exercise, and yoga, can help manage migraines.
Additionally, important dietary changes can help manage migraines, as there is a link between inflammation and migraine attacks. Therefore, foods that can increase inflammation (ultra-processed foods, red meat, alcohol) should be avoided, while foods that reduce inflammation (whole grains, berries, green leafy vegetables) should be added to the normal diet.
The chiropractic management of migraines does not stop at the chiropractor’s office. Chiropractors can advise on different strategies for reducing migraine frequency and severity since chiropractic care focuses on holistic care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There a Cure for Migraines?
There is no cure for migraine headaches. Still, there are treatment options that aim at reducing the severity and frequency of migraine episodes, including chiropractic and medications. However, using medications for a condition as recurrent as migraines can lead to a variety of undesirable health effects.
Is Chiropractic Safe for the Treatment of Migraines?
Chiropractic is safe and effective for treating migraines. The main problem with using medications and other drug-based treatment options for managing migraines is the risk of side effects, especially for patients with chronic or frequent migraines. Since chiropractic is a natural treatment option, there is no such significant risk.
Can Chiropractic Prevent Migraines?
No, chiropractic cannot prevent migraines, as with all other treatment options. However, by focusing on the potential triggers and possible causes of migraine attacks, chiropractic can help reduce the frequency and severity of these attacks and their accompanying symptoms.
Why Is Chiropractic Useful for the Management of Migraines?
Chiropractic is useful for managing migraines as it involves restoring the balance in the central nervous system when treating health conditions, and migraines are believed to be linked to central nervous system dysfunction. Chiropractors also approach the treatment of migraines by addressing the root cause, and trying to reduce the severity and frequency of symptoms.
Can You Use Birth Control Pills if You Have Migraines?
You should avoid birth control pills if you have migraines with aura, as there is an increased risk of stroke. Although the increased risk is small, the CDC recommends complete avoidance of combined contraceptive pills for women suffering from migraines with aura. Women who have migraines without aura can usually safely take birth control pills.
How Do Chiropractors Manage Migraines?
Chiropractors manage migraines by using techniques such as spinal manipulative therapy (CSMT) and the Gonstead method to restore balance in the central nervous system. These methods aim to reduce the frequency and severity of migraines by addressing underlying causes without relying on medications, minimizing the risk of side effects. Chiropractors may also give relevant advice about the preventive strategies for the condition based on the identified triggers in the individual.
Conclusion
Migraines can significantly impact the quality of life for those who suffer from them, but understanding their nature and exploring various treatment options can provide relief. Migraines do not have a definitive cure, but different management strategies exist, including chiropractic care and medications.
Medications pose a high risk of dangerous side effects, especially with long-term use. Chiropractic techniques are based on natural treatment of the body and have milder and much fewer side effects. The Bay Clinic of Chiropractic, headed by the experienced Dr. Tony Salameh, can help in the natural treatment of your migraines. You can contact us at (850) 785-9372 or reach us through our email info@thebaydoctor.com.
Despite the apparent side-effect advantage chiropractic holds over medications, if you have underlying health conditions or are on any prescribed medications, speak to your healthcare provider before you stop using your medications.
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