Not many things garner a bigger reputation with more uncertainty than migraines. Patients worldwide get misleading information that their bad headache is a migraine with no obvious treatment other than bearing with it until it goes away. Interestingly enough, there are at least 100 types of headaches defined by the International Headache Society, so not every severe headache is a migraine!
A migraine usually is a throbbing headache that occurs on one or both sides of the head. The headache typically is accompanied by nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite. Migraines can be triggered by certain activities, foods, smells or emotions. Some people are more likely to experience migraines when they are under stress, while others develop migraines when stress is relieved (for example, the day after exams or an important meeting).
Patients have resorted to all types of treatment for migraines and have often found that chiropractic care may be effective for both controlling the symptoms of migraines and reducing their frequency.
A recent randomized controlled trial of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) for migraines indicted that chiropractic manipulation may in fact help migraines. One hundred twenty-seven volunteers between the ages of 10 and 70 years were used in the study with the diagnosis of migraine made on the basis of the International Headache Society standard, with a minimum of at least one migraine per month. The results of this study support previous results showing that some people report significant improvement in migraines after chiropractic SMT.
A high percentage (>80%) of participants reported stress as a major factor for their migraines. It appears probable that chiropractic care has an effect on the physical conditions related to stress and that in these people the effects of the migraine are reduced. (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2000;23:91-5)
For more on headaches, especially the most common headache, check the Cervicogenic/Tension Type Headache page.
The team at Waverley Central Chiropractic Clinic will be able to properly diagnose your condition by doing a thorough exam. We will then provide treatment to help you get back to living your life the way you want!
