Over 40 million Americans suffer from migraines every year. A migraine is more than a headache. It causes intense, throbbing head pain, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and even difficulty concentrating. People who experience this recurring pain often long for relief and a better quality of life.
At the Health and Wellness Clinic, we take a personalized approach to migraine care. By evaluating your spine, neck, surrounding muscles, and posture, we work to identify musculoskeletal issues that may contribute to head pain. Our goal is to help patients find appropriate treatment options and support their overall well-being.
Understanding Migraines
A migraine is a neurological condition that can cause moderate to severe head pain. Symptoms may last for several hours or even days and can interfere with work, family responsibilities, and daily routines.
There are four stages of a migraine: prodrome, aura, headache, and postdrome.
Prodome
One or two days before a migraine, people often experience mood changes, difficulty concentrating, trouble sleeping, fatigue, nausea, muscle stiffness, increased hunger and thirst, and frequent urination.
Aura
An aura is a group of sensory, motor, and speech symptoms that happen right before or during a migraine attack. People may experience vision loss, see flashing lights or bright spots, have trouble speaking, experience weakness or numbness, or feel pins or needles in the arms or legs.
Headache
A migraine headache can last from four hours up to 72 hours. People may experience pain on one side of the head, pain that throbs or pulses, sensitivity to light, sound, smell or touch, or nausea and vomiting.
Postdrome
After a migraine attack, people may feel drained, confused, worn out, or even elated. They may also experience fatigue, muscle stiffness, dizziness, nausea, or sensitivity to light and sound. This stage is often referred to as a “migraine hangover,” and it can last up to 48 hours.
Migraine symptoms and triggers can vary from person to person, making individualized care important.
What Causes Migraines?
Migraines are associated with changes in brain activity and nervous system function. Genetics, hormones, sleep patterns, stress, and environmental factors can influence the frequency of migraines.
Common migraine triggers may include:
- Stress and emotional tension
- Inadequate or irregular sleep
- Dehydration
- Skipping meals
- Hormonal fluctuations
- Bright lights or loud noises
- Certain food or beverages
- Changes in weather
- Prolonged screen time or poor posture
Neck discomfort and muscle tension may also contribute to migrain pain. While chiropractic care can’t treat every underlying cause of migraines, evaluating the neck and spine can help determine whether muscular factors may be playing a role.
How Can Chiropractic Care Help With Migraines?
At Health and Wellness Clinic, we focus on improving the relationship between the spine, joints, and muscles. For some patients, addressing neck pain, restricted mobility, spinal misalignments, and muscle tension may help reduce migraine pain.
Depending on your symptoms and initial evaluation, we may recommend conservative treatment options, such as:
Spinal Manipulation — We can target specific joints in the spine and apply controlled pressure to improve spinal mobility and calm down your nervous system.
Soft Tissue Therapy — We use gentle techniques to target tight muscles in the neck and shoulders, relieving muscle tension and improving mobility.
Posture and Ergonomic Guidance — Our team may provide recommendations for your workstation setup, screen positioning, and daily posture habits to help reduce unnecessary strain on the neck and upper back.
Stretching and Mobility Exercises — Our chiropractor may perform certain exercises to help improve flexibility, movement, and muscular function.
Personalized Care Recommedations — We will discuss your symptoms, potential triggers, and treatment options based on your individual needs. Chiropractic care may be a valuable part of a broader migraine management plan.
When Should You Seek Migraine Treatment?
If your migraines regularly interfere with your daily activities, you should consider professional treatment. A medical provider or chiropractor can help you if your headaches become more frequent, more severe, or different from your usual pattern.
If you have a sudden, extremely severe headache, feel weak or confused, have difficulty speaking, experience vision loss, or have a fever, you may want to seek emergency medical attention.
Find Support for Migraine Pain Today
If you deal with chronic migraines, you do not need to suffer alone. The Health and Wellness Clinic can help reduce pain and improve other symptoms you experience. Although migraine pain can have several causes, addressing related neck pain, muscle tension, and movement restrictions may be a helpful part of a comprehensive care plan.
Contact our office in Layton, Utah, to schedule an appointment and learn whether chiropractic care can help you manage your migraines.