If you are a migraine sufferer, you know just how painful and debilitating it can be when a migraine takes hold. Not everyone has exactly the same experience, but pain is usually the main feature. One migraine has the potential to completely ruin your day — but there are some tips you can follow to make it a little easier.
What is a migraine?
If you've been diagnosed with migraines, it means you get headaches that last between 4 and 72 hours with pain rated moderate to severe. To be classified as a migraine, the headache must have two of the following characteristics:
- Moderate to severe pain
- Unilateral location
- Pulsating pain
- Made worse by normal activities like walking
It must also have at least one of the following:
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Nausea and/or vomiting
Once you've had five attacks meeting these criteria — and the headaches aren't attributed to a more serious health condition — you'll be diagnosed as a migraine sufferer. Roughly 28 million people in the United States suffer from migraines, and about three out of four are female. Many migraine sufferers see auras in their field of vision before a migraine comes on.
Helpful prevention tips
It's not always possible to prevent migraines, but if you have any known triggers it's wise to stay away from them. Common triggers include certain foods, bright lights, loud noises, certain scents, lack of sleep, dehydration, high levels of stress, and poor posture. If you notice that a migraine comes on or auras are triggered by one of these factors, do your best to avoid it and see if your migraine frequency is reduced. Visiting a chiropractic clinic for treatment can also be an effective preventative measure.
Chiropractic treatment for migraines
Spinal adjustments designed to relieve pressure and stress on your body are one of the primary chiropractic treatments for migraine headaches. Your spine is full of nerves, bones, blood vessels, tendons, muscles, and ligaments — and when your discs are out of alignment, it can cause a host of problems.
Once the problem is addressed from a variety of angles, you'll be able to enjoy fewer episodes and reduce the amount of pain medication you usually take. With ongoing treatment and care from a chiropractic doctor, you may be able to eliminate your migraines altogether.
Our team at Family Tree Chiropractic is here to help. Please call us if you have any further questions or would like to schedule an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you.