Chiropractic Care for Migraines & Headaches
Headaches are quite common among the global population. In fact, up to three-quarters of the world’s adult population ages 18 to 65 years have had headaches in the past year. Most people consider headaches as minor, commonplace issues that don’t require further treatment. This is in part because there is no specific cure for headaches and migraines. A simple aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen is often the only remedy provided. Chiropractic adjustments can help treat the root cause of headaches and migraines rather than just treating the symptoms like medications.
Understanding Migraines & Headaches
Headache disorders or recurrent headaches are one of the most prevalent disorders that affect the nervous system. The degree of pain from headaches ranges from mild to extremely painful and debilitating. There are different types of headache disorders that people can experience. These include tension headaches, cluster headaches, and migraines.
Common Causes of Migraines & Headaches
There are many different causes of headaches and migraines. Tension headaches are often either due to stress or musculoskeletal problems, particularly in the neck. Eyestrain and hunger are other frequent causes.
Cluster headaches, on the other hand, are caused by blood vessels in our brain dilating or expanding. The blood vessels dilate when the brain releases serotonin and histamines. This can happen because of physical exertion, bright lights, or high altitude.
Migraines are commonly caused by hormonal shifts, which is why women are up to three times more likely to experience them. Different people have different migraine triggers, including allergies, family and genetics, weather, stress, caffeine, and lack of sleep.
Characteristics of Migraines & Headaches
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache disorder. Episodic tension headaches can occur for over 15 cumulative days per month and last anywhere between a few hours to several days. Pain from tension headaches usually starts from the back of the head and flows forward to both sides.
Migraines affect at least 30% of adults around the world. It is the 3rd most prevalent illness in the world. Migraine pain can be intense enough to warrant a trip to the emergency room. Migraine episodes occur in four different phases: prodrome, aura, headache, and postdrome phase.
Meanwhile, cluster headaches only affect less than one out of a thousand adults. Cluster headaches are characterized by recurring severe head pain that occurs in “clusters” or around the same time up to several times a day.
Differences Between Migraines & Tension Headaches
The largest difference between migraines and tension headaches is the type and amount of pain they cause. Migraines are intense pulsing and throbbing pain while tension headaches are usually a dull and aching pressure.
Migraines are also usually concentrated on just one side of the head, instead of around the back or throughout the forehead or entire scalp. Additionally, a migraine attack is often accompanied by nausea, dizziness, and sensitivity to light, sounds, and smells.
Why Some People Get Migraines or Headaches Often
Although chronic daily headaches and migraines affect a large percentage of the population, they are still not well-understood. There is a long list of possible causes and triggers for both conditions.
It is widely acknowledged that heightened levels of stress, anxiety, and hormonal changes contribute to frequent migraines. In the case of tension headaches, stress, heightened emotions, higher sensitivity to pain, and overusing medications can cause frequent headaches. If you’re sexually active, you can use a superior app-controlled vibrator to help relieve stress.
Benefits of Seeing a Migraine Chiropractor
Regular chiropractic care for migraines and tension headaches is a safe and non-invasive treatment. Unlike prescription and over-the-counter medication, there is no risk of addiction or drug abuse.
Although there still isn’t a permanent cure for migraines, chiropractic migraine adjustment can help reduce its frequency and manage the level of pain. It can also help relieve discomfort caused by tension headaches.
Here are a few advantages to seeking chiropractic migraine adjustment:
1.) Helps relieve chronic migraines and headaches
2.) A better, natural alternative to medication
3.) Treats the source of the problem rather than the symptoms
4.) Offers quick relief from pain, discomfort, and inflammation
Moreover, gentle chiropractic adjustments can also help resolve other body aches and disorders caused by inflammation and misalignments in the spine. It can help improve mobility and anxiety, which can contribute towards reducing migraine and headache triggers. Another benefit to getting a chiropractic migraine adjustment is its customizability. A migraine specialist chiropractor can make specific adjustments according to each individual’s needs and how they affect their migraine attacks.
Migraine Chiropractor in Huntsville, AL
Functional Chiropractic offers consultations and chiropractic adjustments for migraines and tension headaches. Our licensed chiropractors and migraine specialists will help you feel better and function better.
A quick call to our clinic can get you started on your journey towards more manageable migraines. Contact us today or visit our clinic for a chiropractic exam and consultation.