Migraines are recurring headaches which cause hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli which triggers an episode. Sadly, migraines are different depending on each patient, which makes understanding migraines and managing the patient’s condition more difficult for all parties.
In a study, researchers looked at data from surveys, patient diaries, and clinical trials and found that stress, menstruation, weather changes, sleep disturbances, alcohol, and food sensitivities are all common migraine triggers. In a separate study, researchers found 62 migraine patients and asked them to use a cellphone app to keep track of their headaches for a three-month time frame. Most participants had headaches on 1 in 4 days. The most common migraine triggers of the patients in the study were travelling, hormonal changes, noise, alcohol, over-eating, stress, fatigue, sleep deprivation, and weather changes. Using an app or just keeping a written record of migraines may help to identify that person’s specific trigger.
In general, living a healthy lifestyle can help to reduce the overall chance of having migraine triggers. Patients are therefore encouraged to get 7-8 hours sleep per night, exercise, eat healthy, avoid excessive alcohol consumption, not smoke, and manage stress. In 2021, the American Academy of Neurology reported that regular exercise could reduce migraine frequency by up to 50%. This was mostly due to exercise’s effect on reducing stress, depression, and poor sleep; all possible migraine triggers.
Chiropractic care has also been found to help treat migraines. Research suggests that most patients who have migraines have more sensitivity to pain in the neck muscles; aka abnormal function in the cervical spine. A study from 2021 found that cervical flexor muscle endurance is lessened in migraine patients. This means that patients experience pain in the head when the surrounding muscles become fatigued.
Manual therapies, which doctors of chiropractic provide, have been proven to lessen trigger points and restore normal neck range of motion. This was found in a 2019 review of six randomized control trials. A study from in 2021 found the same results in children migraines, proving that no matter what your age is, patients who suffer from migraines could find relief from chiropractic treatment.
At Back and Body Pain Relief, here in Springfield, we have been treating patients with migraines and headaches to help reduce the frequency and intensity. Call us today to schedule an appointment for your headache relief.
