Asbury Family Chiropractic Helps Patients Cope with Migraines
Migraines can be difficult to care for as each one seems to different depending on the person who is dealing with them. A number of different things can trigger migraines. By finding out what these are, one can possibly avoid some attacks. Here is a list of some of the more common migraine triggers:
- Hormone changes in women during menstruation or pregnancy
- Not getting a full night’s sleep
- Low blood sugar due to not eating often enough
- Flashing, bright lights
- Loud noises
- Some foods such as chocolate, hard cheeses, and red wine
While it is a good idea to identify one’s personal triggers in order to avoid them, it is even more important to find out what the root cause of one’s migraine might be. This can lead to relief that is long-lasting.
How Issues in the Spine Can Lead to Migraines
The way the spine was designed allows for it to protect the delicate spinal cord from injury. The spinal cord has the vital job of sending messages to and from the brain and body, thereby keeping things in working order. The bone located at the top of the spine – the atlas or C1 – is susceptible to misalignment due to its location and specialized shape. If a subluxation happens here, communication within the body can be disrupted leading to things such as facial pain, headaches, and muscle spasms – all symptoms related to migraines.
Upper cervical chiropractors have been helping migraine patients for many years now. Here at our Dubuque, Iowa office, we use a unique method called Atlas Orthogonal. This is a gentle technique that helps the bones of the neck to move back into their original position. It does not involve twisting or cracking the spine. It has been successful in helping many patients get relief from migraine pain.
A case study reveals just how helpful this method can be. A 75-year-old woman had been suffering from migraines since was a teenager. She had used various medications to help but found little relief. She finally sought the care of an upper cervical chiropractor. When she began seeing him, she rated her pain severity at 8 out of 10, but after 5 months of visits, she noted her pain had reduced to a severity of just 3 out of 10. The frequency of her migraines had also decreased.
