If you have suffered with migraine headaches, you will know just how debilitating they can be. People are willing to do almost anything to find relief when migraines strike, yet so many people are unaware of just how much your chiropractor can help, if you are suffering with migraines.
What is a Migraine?
Migraines can present in a few different ways, for most people it starts with some warning signs. Blind spots, blurred vision and “seeing stars” are all common signs called Aura’s, that often precede a migraine. Nausea and vomiting are also common before the headache begins.
The actual headache usually involves one side of the head, is pulsating and can range from moderate to severe. These can last from hours to days and can affect your lifestyle in a major way.
What to do when you have a migraine.
People who have frequent migraines will often know when one is coming. This will give them a chance to rush to the medicine cabinet, take painkillers, and try to find a quiet, dark place to rest it out. This is a short-term approach to help minimise the symptoms, and it does not actually help to solve the problem of why you are getting migraines in the first place.
Finding the trigger for your migraine.
We recommend keeping a headache diary. Every time you have a migraine take note of what you have done in the hours or days leading up to it. Migraines can often have specific triggers, and learning what triggers them can help you avoid them. Things like coffee, stress, hormonal factors and bright lights are often reported as triggers for migraine headaches.
The cause of your migraines.
The exact cause of migraines is still not fully understood, but they have been linked to imbalances in brain chemicals, changes in the brainstem and neurovascular causes.
How can your Durban Chiropractor help with your migraines?
Having treated many patients, with all different types of headaches, I have found that the joints, muscles and nerves of the neck often play a role. The shape and alignment of the neck affects the way pressure is distributed down the spine. If your neck has lost its normal curve, or has become misaligned, it can lead to increased strain on the muscles, joints and nerves. These nerves run to the head and scalp and, if irritated, could lead to headaches.
Should you see a Durban Chiropractor for your migraines?
If you are suffering from migraines, and have not been able to find the cause, I highly recommend that you have your spine fully assessed. Posture photos, x rays and a variety of orthopaedic, neurological and chiropractic tests can help us determine if your migraines are related to your structure. If they are, we can take a course of action to help you fix the problem and solve your headaches.
Leigh was one such patient of ours, who found regular chiropractic visits to be most beneficial, when it came to her regular migraines:
“I had been suffering with migraines for about two years, when I met David and he introduced me to chiropractic care. I had always been advised against seeing a chiropractor, but was pleasantly surprised to see how effective the gentle adjustments were and how corrective chiropractic care has helped with the migraines I was experiencing. I am now migraine-free thanks to the expertise of Dr Palmer and the team at Align Corrective Chiropractic”.
