Condition: Migraines
Migraines Overview: Description, Causes, Eddy Family Chiropractic's Treatment Plan
What are migraines?
Migraines are severe headaches often accompanied by nausea, visual disturbances (or auras), and extreme sensitivity to bright lights, loud sounds or odors. Migraines can last for less than an hour to more than a day. Migraine headaches are often associated with “trigger” events like extreme or chronic stress, hormonal fluctuations or illnesses, but sometimes, they can occur without any apparent triggering event preceding them.
What causes migraines?
For many years, medical researchers believed migraines were caused by vascular problems, but today, most researchers believe the headaches are caused by a combination of factors, including circulation issues, nervous system issues, and even muscle related issues. Because it focuses on all theses systems, chiropractic care can be very effective in reducing migraine symptoms, decreasing the severity of symptoms and even decreasing the frequency of headache episodes.
How does Eddy Family Chiropractic treat migraine headaches?
Chiropractic treatment for migraine headaches begins with a hands-on evaluation of the spine and surrounding areas to look for trigger points (muscle “knots”) and other issues that can contribute to headache pain, as well as a review of the patient's symptoms and any known triggers. Often, migraine headache pain is exacerbated by issues involving the spine, including “pinched” nerves and related inflammation.
Using hands-on techniques combined with passive and active exercises can help identify issues that can contribute to headache pain. Spinal adjustments and therapeutic massage can help relieve nerve impingements and tissue inflammation while also promoting circulation to make it easier for damaged tissues to heal. In addition,deep-tissue massage techniques can break apart muscle knots or adhesions that restrict normal, healthy movement and contribute to stress, neck pain and headaches. Finally, lifestyle guidance can help patients improve their musculoskeletal health and their overall health to reduce the risk of headache recurrence as well as reduce the intensity of symptoms.
Can Eddy Family Chiropractic treat other types of headaches?
Yes, chiropractic care is effective in relieving pain associated with cluster headaches, tension headaches, and headaches caused by trigger points and chronic stress. Each treatment plan is customized to suit the needs of the individual patient for optimal results.