Migraine headaches can be seriously debilitating. They have an impact on their ability to carry out daily activities, both while at home and at work. Today, we will be taking a look at chiropractic care’s effect on tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches.
Even if migraines aren’t caused by cervical dysfunction, it’s becoming more commonly known that neck issues may play a role in the migraine headache process.
In 2019, a study was published in the European Spine Journal, where researchers looked at the neck of 52 females with migraines, and 52 women without a history of neck pain or headaches. They found that participants in the migraine group were much more likely to show signs of cervical dysfunction.
Another 2019 study found that migraine patients with concurrent neck pain had a lot more migraine related disability than those with no neck pain. Other studies have shown that those with migraines are much more likely to have trigger points in the cervical muscles.
A review of six random control trials that included 667 migraine headache patients who received spinal manipulation found that SMT is “an effective therapeutic technique to reduce migraine days and pain/intensity.” So, chiropractic treatment to improve cervical function does definitely benefit migraine patients.
When visiting a doctor of chiropractic, a migraine patient can expect a thorough examination to determine the locations in the cervical region which need treatment. This usually happens by examining the degree of joint play or restriction, point tenderness, and localized muscle guarding using static and motion palpation methods. Treatment will usually include multiple methods. These could be spinal manipulation, mobilization, exercises, and nutritional recommendations.
At Back and Body Pain Relief, our chiropractic care has helped many patients to find relief from headache and migraine pain. We offer same day appointments and are here to help. We also have other treatment protocols that may help too. We will help find the solution to your pain and try to give you relief.
