What Causes Migraines? Migraine headaches have several causes that can range from eating the wrong foods to experience stress. Some of the most common include alcohol, caffeine, hormonal fluctuations, emotional stress, food additives, physical exertion, some medications, changes in sleeping patterns and sensory stimuli such as loud noises or flashing lights.
We offer chiropractic treatments that will help ease your migraine symptoms and help improve your quality of life. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
What Can a Chiropractic Adjustment Do for Migraines?
A chiropractic adjustment refers to manual manipulation of various joints in the body that’s designed to relieve pain. This is accomplished by reducing the inflammation in your joints, relieving pressure on compressed or irritated nerves, improving nerve stimulation and activity and getting your body back into alignment.
Chiropractic treatments can also reduce the pain from migraine headaches, which is a benefit to anyone who suffers from this kind of pain and discomfort.
What are the Symptoms of a Migraine?
Many migraine sufferers can tell when a migraine is approaching by distinct symptoms that show up before the actual headache pain starts. There are four unique phases of a migraine attack, each with its own set of symptoms. Not every phase is as severe as the active attack, but it’s good to get to know each one so you can seek treatment and prepare ahead of time and know what to expect.
Here are the phases:
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- Prodome – This phase may occur up top two days before an attack and can include feeling thirsty, frequent yawning, food cravings and unexplained mood swings.
- Aura – This refers to visual symptoms like shapes, flashes, spots or squiggly lines. Pins and needles or weakness and numbness in your face may also be part of the equation.
Attack – The symptoms of the actual attack may include radiating, pulsing or throbbing pain and sensitivity to light or touch. Some people will also experience nausea or vomiting during a migraine attack.- Post-drome – This phase occurs after the migraine attack and may include feeling disoriented or confused and lethargy or fatigue. This may last up to an entire day.
The idea behind chiropractic care is that it addresses and targets the underlying cause of pain instead of just focusing on the pain itself. This kind of non-surgical treatment alleviates discomfort at the source, so you can experience long-lasting migraine relief. If you just use pain medication every time you experience a migraine, whatever is causing it will never be adequately addressed, so it will continue to come up. Pain medication is only a temporary solution at best.
If you suffer from migraine headaches in Snohomish County, Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County or any nearby area, call us today at (360) 424-1066 to schedule a free consultation with our chiropractor.