If you missed the first blog post on migraines, what they are and what causes them, you may want to read that one first. If you are already a patient with a history of migraines and know enough about them and are searching for how chiropractic care can help you, then, by all means, read on.
Can chiropractors successfully treat migraines?
That’s the real question, right? You’re reading this because either you suffer from migraines yourself and are looking for answers or you are trying to find help for a loved one. The short answer is yes, chiropractors are uniquely qualified to aid in migraine relief.
Besides relief from migraines and recurring migraines, seeing an excellent chiropractor for migraine care removes any kind of side effect, which can be detrimental to some people who suffer from migraines and take drugs prescribed for that purpose. And those drugs aren’t treating the underlying tension, neck pain, and inflammation that many migraines stem from.
Migraines and Chiropractors
A 2011 study on chiropractic care for migraines through spinal manipulation showed that this type of care could be as effective as conventional medications such as propranolol (Inderal) and topiramate (Topamax) – but without any negative side effects.
A more recent survey from 2017 looked at 1,869 chiropractors to determine how many of them were caring for patients with migraines. More than half (53%) reported a caseload heavy with patients who suffered from migraines.
Chiropractic care for migraines
As mentioned in the previous blog post, the medical community believes changes in brain chemicals can trigger migraines:
They think many brain chemicals — such as serotonin, calcitonin gene-related peptide, and dopamine — play a role. According to the theory, a wave of nerve cell activity spreads across the brain and excites the trigeminal nerve. This causes the release of neurotransmitters that trigger a change in the size of blood vessels, releasing more neurotransmitters and finally causing an inflammatory process and pain.
Chiropractic care aims directly to reduce inflammation because of how much pain it can wreck in the body when not addressed. When there are subluxations (a point where joints are not aligned correctly and cause inflammation) in the spine, nerves cannot connect where they are supposed to and signals from the brain to different parts of the body are inhibited. Chiropractors aim to remove those subluxations, which can significantly help the body to do what it’s supposed to do without any obstacles to communication.
The body is a complex system that needs to have those open avenues of communication throughout the spine – if the avenues are blocked by subluxations, the brain won’t be able to send those signals, and brain chemicals, where they need to go. How does this all relate to migraines? Inflammation is caused by subluxations, which could be related to an increase in migraines (among other issues). Therefore, when a chiropractor adjusts the body to decrease or remove those subluxations in order that the body can work as it should, migraines may lessen in the patient.
Chiropractic care can also address the tightness in the shoulders and neck, which can lead to migraines, as well work to reduce stress in the body, which can also help reduce migraines. And by working only with all-natural remedies, chiropractors are often a wealth of knowledge on vitamins and minerals that work well to reduce migraines and will work with patients on their individual treatment plans to include these if needed.
Ready to see if a chiropractor can help you?
If you’re reading this, you’ve likely been suffering from migraines or know someone close to you who has. They are a terrible ailment to have and here at Greenville Spine, we want to do everything possible to help you obtain relief and live a pain-free life. Give us a call to schedule your initial assessment. We’ll listen to you. We’ll talk about options. And hopefully we’ll get you on a path to living that life you want without migraines. Give us a call at (864) 631-1420.