We all have headaches from time to time, and the causes can come from a long list of possibilities that range from external to internal triggers. One of the most debilitating types of headaches, and also one of the most difficult to treat, is migraine headaches. According to the American Migraine Foundation, more than 36 million people in the U.S. suffer from migraines each year and while there is no magic cure for this condition, a more well-rounded approach to treatment - including chiropractic treatments - has begun to emerge, bringing some much-needed relief to those who do experience them.

Common Characteristics of Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches are difficult to describe to anyone who hasn’t experienced one. These are more intense than the types of headaches that most of us are familiar with, coming with additional symptoms and side effects that can be mild to severe. The Mayo Clinic provides a very good overview of migraine symptoms and more, but to simplify, some of the most common symptoms that are experienced include:

● Intense, prolonged headache pain, often described as pulsing or throbbing

● Pain occurring on one or both sides of the head

● Blurry vision and lightheadedness

● Sensitivity to lights, smells, touch and/or sounds

● Nausea and vomiting

Once they have begun, the symptoms of a migraine can last anywhere from hours to days if not treated. Migraine attacks also occur with little discernible pattern, with some people experiencing them once or twice a year and others on a monthly or weekly basis.

Migraine Relief Through Chiropractic Treatment

While there are both over the counter and prescription medications that offer some measure of relief for some migraine sufferers, there are other treatments gaining traction as an alternative to these options. One of these is spinal manipulation, a primary form of chiropractic treatment that can be performed by your trained chiropractic care provider, which has been found to improve migraine headaches, as well as alleviate some of the underlying tension and stress that could be at the root of triggering them in the first place.

The Migraine Treatment Centers of America state that a review of over 20 individual studies revealed that weekly or bi-weekly chiropractic treatments of patients who suffer from frequent migraines over a span of eight weeks showed a reduction in the symptoms, frequency, intensity, and duration of their migraine headaches. Anyone interested in seeking chiropractic care for their own migraines should contact a trusted care provider today to discuss the possible benefits of this type of treatment for their own headaches.