Treating Migraines with Chiropractic Adjustments and Massage Therapy

Those who have experienced a migraine know how debilitating it can be. The exact cause of a migraine is still unknown, but for those who suffer from them know the symptoms all too well: a pulsing headache accompanied by nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, and even distorted vision. Traditional migraine treatment often involves pain-relieving medications, taken at the time of the migraine or daily for prevention. If you are seeking alternative or supplemental treatments, chiropractic treatment and/or registered massage therapy may provide you with the solution you are looking for.

Chiropractic is a healthcare profession focused on the non-surgical treatment of disorders or dysfunctions of the nervous system and/or musculoskeletal system, focusing greatly on spinal manipulation and treatment of surrounding structures. In a study of over 2,600 patients, results revealed that chiropractic treatment may serve as a good preventative treatment for migraines. An additional study found that 22 percent of people who had chiropractic treatment saw a reduction of migraine attacks by 90 percent, and 49 percent of the total sample group experienced a significant reduction in the pain they experienced. Evidence supporting the use of massage therapy in treating and preventing migraines has also been discovered. Massage therapy involves a therapist pressing, rubbing, kneading and pressing on the body’s tissues and muscles, in order to relieve pain, increase blood flow, and improve range of motion. In one small study, 47 migraine sufferers were randomly assigned massage therapy, and those who had received the massages reported fewer migraines. If you suffer from migraines, and you’d like to schedule an appointment with our chiropractor or registered massage therapist, give us a call today!

Note from Dr. Michael:   Hi everyone! Did you know that the average head weights 8-12lbs? That’s one heck of a watermelon we balance on our heads. Imagine the tension in the muscles and around the spine that accumulate while sitting, viewing a computer, or reading a book or tablet. This tension accumulates to a point where the muscles fatigue around the head and the nerves get upset and irritated. Presto – you have a tension headache.

Now a migraine is a different beast. There may be hormonal, chemical, or nutritional variances that influence the onset of migraines. Many of these seem out of your control. If you chose to medicate your migraines, you may feel temporary relief for a period of time. However, you haven’t gotten to the source. Please allow us, one of the team members at Hycroft to diagnose the source of your migraines and find solutions that will get you through the day.

All the best and look forward to working with you,
Dr. Michael Horowitz

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