Did you know that it’s possible to treat your migraines by keeping a headache diary?
It can be challenging to suffer from migraines when you don’t understand what is causing them and how to get rid of them. Since there is no single reason why people get migraines, it is a good idea to pay attention to what triggers them.
It’s also important to work with a skilled healthcare professional in order to find relief. But it can be difficult to know what kinds of treatment will work.
We’ve written a guide that answers the question “can a chiropractor help with migraines?”. Keep reading to find out more.
What Are Migraines?
A migraine is a physiological condition that is characterized by increased sensitivity to light, headaches, and sensitivity to intense sounds and smells.
It’s likely that you will experience pain on one side of your head when you’re suffering from migraines.
There are four main phases to a migraine. The first phase is the prodrome phase. This phase can last for up to a few days, but it usually lasts for just an hour or two.
You might feel hungry, struggle to concentrate, be tired, and feel nauseous when your migraine is in the prodrome phase.
The next phase is the aura phase. Only about twenty percent of migraine sufferers experience an aura phase. During this phase, you might notice that your ears are ringing and parts of your body feel numb.
The headache phase is the most well-known characteristic of migraines. The pain might start on one side of the head and move to the other side over time. A migraine headache can last for up to three days.
People often refer to the postdrome phase as the “migraine hangover.” You might feel tired and depressed during this phase. It is also normal to have difficulty with concentration. This phase can last for up to two days.
When to Get Medical Help for Your Migraines
You should discuss your symptoms with a healthcare professional if you frequently experience migraines. It is a good idea to visit a chiropractor or your primary care physician.
You should get immediate medical attention if you are suffering from the worst headache of your life because it could be related to a serious medical condition.
It is also a good idea to take extra care if you have a history of heart disease, liver disease, or stroke.
Getting Chiropractic Help for Migraines
An experienced chiropractor can help treat migraines and other kinds of headaches. They often use manual therapies. This includes spinal manipulation, neuromuscular massage, and multidisciplinary care intervention.
Chiropractors can relieve symptoms of all kinds of headaches such as tension headaches and cluster headaches.
If you get headaches once or twice per month that create pain on both sides of your head, you might be experiencing tension headaches. Those who get tension headaches probably won’t feel nauseous or be sensitive to light.
If your migraine headaches are more severe, it is possible that your chiropractor will suggest soft tissue therapy, spinal manipulation, or acupuncture.
There are various kinds of soft tissue therapy, but most migraine sufferers find relief when they get massages.
Your chiropractor might also recommend that you start making use of manual resistance techniques to address problems with the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and the body’s connective tissues.
It could be helpful for those who experience pain and stiffness in their spines to undergo spinal manipulation. This involves placing a small amount of force on one or several of the joints of the spine.
Spinal manipulation can be just as helpful as taking preventative medications for those who want to reduce how frequently they get migraine headaches.
Chiropractor in Boiling Springs: Migraine Treatment Options
Since people experience migraines for a number of different reasons, it is important to understand that there are several possible treatments that your chiropractor in Spartanburg might recommend.
Here are several of the most common migraine treatments that can help you get better.
Neuromuscular Massage
People often refer to neuromuscular massage as trigger therapy. It is a kind of massage that will focus on your body’s trigger points.
Your chiropractor will massage these points in the shoulders, neck, back, and head. The goal of neuromuscular massage is to relax muscles and increase blood flow.
This is an effective technique for releasing pressure from nerves that are compressed.
Multidisciplinary Care Intervention
This is an approach that brings together physical therapy exercises, relaxation exercises, and stress management. It is an effective approach for decreasing the intensity, frequency, and duration of migraines.
Prevent Migraines by Making Lifestyle Changes
Once you recognize what is triggering your migraines, it is important to focus on making lifestyle changes in order to limit your exposure to these triggers. This is a good way to prevent migraines from happening.
For example, if your migraine symptoms get worse when you carry weight on your back, your chiropractor might suggest that you stop wearing a backpack or start doing gentle exercises to strengthen your back muscles.
Can a Chiropractor Help With Migraines: Understand Your Options
It can be frustrating to suffer from migraines when you don’t know how to prevent them from happening. If you’ve been wondering “can a chiropractor help with migraines,” it’s important to understand that chiropractors are able to treat migraines.
At Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Spartanburg, we have experienced chiropractors who can treat your migraines. Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you.