What is a Migraine Headache?
Frequent or not, head or neck pain caused by migraines and tension headaches are not something to live with and endure. According to the International Headache Society, headaches impact almost 40 percent of the American population.
Migraines and tension headaches alike are caused by muscle contractions in the head or neck region. Anything from a bright screen, loud music or lack of food and water can all be triggers for one of these uncomfortable aches.
“A migraine is a headache that can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. It’s often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine attacks can last for hours to days, and the pain can be so bad that it interferes with your daily activities.” According to MayoClinic.org.
For some people, a warning symptom known as an aura occurs before or with the headache. An aura can include visual disturbances, such as flashes of light or blind spots, or other disturbances, such as tingling on one side of the face or in an arm or leg and difficulty speaking.
The good news is that there are natural and drug-free solutions to tension headaches and migraines.
Chiropractic Care Help Those with Migraines and Tension Headaches
Chiropractic care can be a great way to manage and relieve pain caused by migraines and tension headaches. Routine chiropractic care provides patients suffering from migraines and tension headaches with a safe, non-invasive, non-addictive alternative to prescription medications or over-the-counter pain medications (OTCs), which are commonly prescribed to patients help them manage their pain.
Chiropractors deliver a gentle, non-invasive, non-addictive therapy for migraines.
Chiropractic adjustments reduce joint restrictions or misalignments in the spine and other joints in the body in an effort to reduce inflammation and improve function of both the affected joint and nervous system. This can help prevent headaches in the first place.
Massage therapy can reduce migraine pain and improve quality of life.
A U.S. study of people with migraines placed 26 participants into two groups. The control group got no intervention, while a massage group got two massages a week for 5 weeks. The massage group fared much better, reporting:
- Much less migraine pain
- More headache-free days
- Fewer sleep problems
- Higher levels of the feel-good hormone serotonin
By increasing joint mobility and improving your nervous system function and spinal health, your body has the ability to better avoid and manage the pain caused by migraines and tension headaches.
If you experience migraines or headaches of any kind and would like to avoid them and/or experience relief, schedule an appointment for a massage and/or adjustment.
We are hear to help!
Dr. Hughes, Dr. Shannan, Dr. Harris
