Imagine this: You’re having a lovely morning, with nothing amiss and the to-do list planned nicely. Just as you’re about to head out, you feel a pulsing throb in your head, which steadily increases in intensity. Opening the front door, the sunlight feels like an assault on the senses, causing a huge spike of head pain.
If this scenario sounds familiar, it’s likely that you had a migraine!
Migraines are one of the most common yet often dismissed bodily problems. They’re so common that they’re ranked as the third most debilitating medical condition in the world according to the World Health Organization!
According to the University of Melbourne, an estimated 6.4 million people in Australia suffer from regular migraines; this number continues to increase over time, with an impact to the economy of AU$40 billion.
While prescription medicines can often alleviate the pain and suffering from migraines, I doubt many people enjoy the feeling of taking pills daily simply to have a regular quality of life. That’s why this blog post will write about a potential alternative treatment for migraines: Chiropractic!
What Are Migraines?
Migraines are kind of like headaches insofar as it means “pain in the head” but are universally far worse in its severity and side effects: The pain often starts as a throbbing or pounding feeling in the head, with additional sensitivity to bright lights and loud noises that can lead to nausea and/or vomiting.
Those who have never suffered from migraines often say, “it’s just a headache, why don’t you just sleep it off?” – but sufferers know that sleep is near impossible due to the misery and pain.
Over the counter medications barely work on most migraines, while prescription-only meds may have undesirable side effects when considering the frequency they need to be taken and how often migraines can occur. Imagine having to take pills twice a day, every day – that’s how bad migraines can get!
Why Do Migraines Happen?
Due to how severe and widespread migraines are, they have been a hot topic of research for decades. The problem is, the research has found quite several triggers and potential causes for this massive headache, including:
- Stress
- Changes in weather
- Hormones
- Medications
- Smells
- Bright/flashing lights
- Dehydration
- Certain foods
- And many more!
The most insidious thing about migraines isn’t just the upfront pain: Many sufferers have vision problems, nausea, and “tingly nerves” as an attack happens. These problems can be quite disorienting, especially in situations where losing control is very bad. In fact, the severity of the attacks often leads to PTSD-like fears when encountering past triggers.
Migraine.org.au states that “people may alter their lifestyles, which can impact their families, professional working lives and social circles; e.g. dietary changes, reducing social interactions, avoiding certain triggering environments, etc.”
Many of the afflicted stay home in peace and quiet to avoid triggering events. Imagine never being able to go out for fear of a splitting headache that takes ages to go away. In fact, people who experience migraines often keep their migraines a secret for fear of being judged or misunderstood for this often unavoidable condition.
What Is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is the art and science behind understanding our musculoskeletal system. It’s the practice of reducing pain, improving mobility and optimising health by way of adjustments of the joints and muscles, particularly that of the spine.
Seeing a chiropractor for migraine headaches can be a natural, drug-free treatment option that may help with pain. The doctors are trained to be holistic and comprehensive when it comes to diagnosing and treating problems, so it can’t hurt to at least get a second opinion.
The drug-free option is a big benefit, especially for those who experience chronic, long-term migraines. Medication may help with the pain for a day, but eventually the constant overuse of medication may lead to a secondary headache disorder due to the adverse effects of frequent and often strong medications.
How Chiropractic Could Help With Migraines
While chiropractic may not be able to treat our heads directly, the treatments involved can affect our nervous system and the associated pathways linked to them.
Did you know? Over 75% of migraine sufferers experience neck pain, stiffness, and jaw tension
When the skeleton is misaligned – particularly that of the spine – our nerves may become irritated or even compressed in a way that can trigger migraines. Chiropractic adjustments can positively affect these neural pathways, potentially loosening nervous or arterial pathways that have been causing pain from being jammed. Realigning our skeleton back to its natural state can play a vital part in removing the trigger.
Chiropractic treatment can also decrease stress levels through the reduction of pain or from generally improved well-being. Stress is a major cause of migraines, so reducing it can lead to fewer occurrences. Sometimes all it takes is a nice massage that straightens out the effect of long-term bad posture or poor sleep!
All in all, by not utilizing prescription drugs, chiropractic migraine treatment is a safer, more natural method that could potentially reduce the frequency and/or severity of migraines. At the very least, the treatment might just leave you in a good mood when you go home.
In fact, the holistic approach that most chiropractors take ensures that at the very least, you go home with a better idea of the right nutrition to take, what posture to adopt, and even what lifestyle changes you could do to treat things that may indirectly help fight migraines.
The Blacks – Chiropractic Doctors For YOUR Next Migraine
When it comes to chiropractic, Drs. Michael and David Black have many years of experience. As fully licensed chiropractors registered by the Chiropractic Board of Australia, they adhere fully to National Law and the codes of conduct and guidelines associated with chiropractic practice.
The good doctors keep their fingers on the advancements of chiropractic medicine and have served Victoria for over 37 years. Getting the best chiropractic treatment for your migraines has never been easier. Call them now on (03) 9509 7691 to book an appointment!
