Migraine Awareness Week – Chiropractic Alternative

Migraine Awareness  Week  –  Chiropractic Alternative

Migraine is not just a headache, it can be relentless; an intense pounding and throbbing pain that can steal your energy and ability to function.

Migraine is the most common neurological condition affecting people of all ages, social classes, races and culture. During Migraine Awareness Week 07^th – 13^th September 2014, the United Chiropractic Association is highlighting the benefits of Chiropractic care in both the prevention and treatment of migraine headache.  Migraine is usually managed by medication but some patients do not tolerate acute and or prophylactic medicine, whilst other people may wish to avoid medication, Chiropractic is an alternative that should be considered.

 A clinical trial (1) in Australia found that 75% of migraine sufferers experienced either ‘substantial’ or ‘noticeable’ improvement after a period of chiropractic treatment.  One of the authors of the research, Dr Peter Tuchin said

“Around 22% (of patients) had substantial reduction which means that more than 60% of their symptoms reduced during the course of the treatment”  “What makes this a really strong result is that this was a chronic group – the average length of time they’d had migraines was 18 years.  To get a change of that sort of magnitude in a really chronic group was amazing”

Chiropractic treatment appears to affect the changes in the function of the blood or nervous system in specific areas of the brain and chemical balances within the body have been related to the cause of migraine attacks.  The cervical spine – the neck was designed to have a C-shaped curve (known as lordosis).  This design serves a specific purpose as the neck is responsible for bearing the considerable weight of the head.  A subluxation, or misalignment in the neck can irritate the nerves that travel between the brain and the spine.  Such a misalignment can interfere with the normal workings of the central nervous system and leave the body vulnerable to chemical imbalances in the brain.

 Migraine triggers vary but can include periods of stress, foods (such as chocolate, caffeine, processed meats, cheese, nuts, wine and many more) poor sleep, medication and  or even hormonal changes. (e.g. menstrual cycle).  For most people there is not just one trigger but a combination of factors which individually can be tolerated but when they all occur together a threshold is passed and a migraine is triggered.

Chiropractic treatment can help with many contributory factors and after effects including relieve of restriction in movement of the neck, muscle tension in the neck, upper back and shoulders and helping correct any postural issues that may influence the occurrence of both migraine and tension headaches.  Chiropractors can also offer advice on lifestyle issues, exercise, nutrition and managing stress.

For a half price assessment  quote code MigraineRelief and call us on 0145237 2222