Migraine & Chiropractic Care in Vancouver

Migraine is a neurological condition that can cause recurring attacks of moderate to severe headache along with symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light or sound. Some people also experience visual, sensory or other neurological symptoms known as an aura.

At Dr. Michael Horowitz & Associates, our Vancouver chiropractors assess patients who experience migraines, particularly when headaches occur along with neck pain, stiffness or other musculoskeletal symptoms.

Chiropractic care is not a cure for migraine. Our role is to assess whether musculoskeletal factors may also be contributing to a patient's symptoms and determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate as part of their overall management.

What Is a Migraine?

Migraine is more than simply a severe headache. It is a neurological disorder that can produce recurring attacks with a combination of headache and other symptoms.

A migraine attack may last for hours or sometimes longer, and the experience varies considerably between individuals.

Possible migraine symptoms include:

• Throbbing or pulsating head pain
• Pain that may occur on one or both sides of the head
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light
• Sensitivity to sound
• Visual disturbances
• Dizziness in some patients
• Difficulty concentrating
• Symptoms that become worse with routine physical activity

Not everyone with migraine experiences all of these symptoms.

Migraine With Aura

Some people experience migraine with aura. Aura refers to temporary neurological symptoms that may occur before or during a migraine attack.

These can include visual changes such as flashing lights, blind spots or unusual patterns. Some people experience tingling, numbness or other sensory changes.

Many people with migraine do not experience aura.

Migraine vs. Other Types of Headache

Not every severe headache is a migraine, and not every recurring headache has the same cause.

Other headache disorders include tension-type headaches and headaches associated with structures of the neck, sometimes referred to as cervicogenic headaches.

Because treatment depends on the type of headache and the individual patient, appropriate assessment is important rather than assuming that all headaches should be treated in the same way.

For more information about other headache presentations, visit our Headache Treatment in Vancouver page.

Migraines and Neck Pain

Some people who experience migraine also experience neck pain or stiffness. Neck symptoms may occur before, during or after a migraine attack, but the relationship between migraine and neck pain can be complex.

Neck pain does not necessarily mean that the neck is causing the migraine.

When a patient reports both migraines and neck symptoms, a chiropractic examination can assess the neck and surrounding musculoskeletal structures to determine whether there are findings that may be appropriate for conservative care.

Learn more about Neck Pain Treatment in Vancouver.

What Can Trigger a Migraine?

Migraine triggers differ considerably from person to person, and sometimes an attack occurs without an obvious trigger.

Factors reported by some people with migraine can include:

• Changes in sleep
• Stress
• Skipped meals
• Dehydration
• Hormonal changes
• Alcohol or certain foods in some individuals
• Bright lights or strong sensory stimulation
• Changes in routine

Keeping track of attacks and possible triggers may help some patients recognize patterns, although avoiding every possible trigger is neither realistic nor necessary for everyone.

Chiropractic Assessment for Patients With Migraines

When a patient with migraines visits our Vancouver chiropractic clinic, the first step is an appropriate history and examination.

Your chiropractor may ask about:

• When your headaches began
• How frequently they occur
• Where the pain is located
• How long attacks typically last
• Associated symptoms such as nausea, light sensitivity or aura
• Neck pain or stiffness
• Previous migraine diagnosis or medical evaluation
• Medications and other treatments
• Changes in your usual headache pattern

When appropriate, the physical examination may also assess neck movement, joint mobility, muscle function and neurological findings.

If the history or examination suggests that medical evaluation is appropriate, referral should take priority over chiropractic treatment.

Can Chiropractic Care Help People With Migraines?

Patients frequently search for a chiropractor for migraines in Vancouver, but it is important to be clear about the role of chiropractic care.

Migraine is a neurological disorder, and chiropractic treatment should not be presented as a guaranteed cure or as a way to permanently eliminate migraine.

For some patients—particularly those who also experience neck pain, stiffness or musculoskeletal complaints—conservative chiropractic care may be considered as part of an overall management approach.

Depending on the individual assessment, care may include:

• Manual therapy
• Joint mobilization or manipulation when appropriate
• Soft-tissue techniques
• Mobility exercises
• Advice about physical activity and movement
• Strategies for managing associated neck discomfort

Treatment recommendations are individualized according to the patient's history, examination findings and overall health.

Migraine Treatment Is Often Multidisciplinary

People with recurring migraines may use several approaches to manage their condition.

Medical management can include diagnosis, medication and discussion of preventive strategies. Lifestyle factors such as regular sleep, physical activity, hydration and consistent meals may also be relevant for some patients.

Chiropractic care, when appropriate, should complement rather than replace necessary medical care.

Headaches After a Motor Vehicle Accident

Headaches can also occur following a motor vehicle collision, particularly when neck pain or whiplash symptoms are present.

A new headache following an accident should not automatically be assumed to be migraine, particularly if the headache pattern is different from previous headaches.

Learn more about Whiplash Treatment in Vancouver and our ICBC Chiropractic Care.

Exercises for Neck Pain and Headache-Related Symptoms

Some patients with migraines also experience neck stiffness or discomfort. Appropriate movement or exercise may be useful for these musculoskeletal symptoms, although exercise is not a universal treatment for migraine itself.

If an exercise significantly aggravates your symptoms or produces new neurological symptoms, stop and seek appropriate assessment.

Watch: Exercises for Neck Pain, Headaches & Related Discomfort

When Does a Headache Need Urgent Medical Attention?

Most headaches are not medical emergencies, but certain symptoms require prompt medical assessment.

Seek urgent medical attention for a sudden extremely severe headache, a significant new headache following head trauma, or a headache accompanied by symptoms such as new weakness, difficulty speaking, confusion, loss of consciousness, seizure, severe fever with neck stiffness or other significant new neurological symptoms.

A new or substantially changing headache pattern should also be appropriately evaluated.

Migraine FAQ

Can a chiropractor treat migraines?

Chiropractors may assess patients who experience migraines, particularly when neck pain, stiffness or other musculoskeletal symptoms are also present. Chiropractic care should not be presented as a cure for migraine, and appropriate medical diagnosis and management remain important.

Can neck problems cause migraines?

Migraine is a neurological disorder. Neck pain and stiffness are common in people with migraine, but the presence of neck symptoms does not necessarily mean that a neck problem is causing the migraine.

What is the difference between a migraine and a cervicogenic headache?

Migraine is a neurological headache disorder that may include nausea, light or sound sensitivity and sometimes aura. A cervicogenic headache is associated with structures of the neck. Because symptoms can overlap, assessment may be helpful when the diagnosis is uncertain.

Should I see a doctor for migraines?

Recurring, severe, unusual or changing headaches should be appropriately medically evaluated. A healthcare provider can help establish a diagnosis and determine whether additional investigation or treatment is required.

Can chiropractic care help migraine-related neck pain?

For some patients with migraine who also have musculoskeletal neck pain or stiffness, chiropractic care may be considered for those associated neck complaints when examination findings indicate that conservative treatment is appropriate.

Looking for a Chiropractor for Migraines in Vancouver?

If you experience migraines along with neck pain, stiffness or other musculoskeletal symptoms, a chiropractic assessment can help determine whether conservative care may have an appropriate role in your overall management.

At Dr. Michael Horowitz & Associates, our Vancouver chiropractors assess each patient individually and will recommend medical evaluation when symptoms fall outside the appropriate scope of chiropractic care.

New patients are welcome.

Hycroft Chiropractic & Massage
Dr. Michael Horowitz & Associates
Suite 114 - 3195 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC V6H 3K2
Phone: 604-733-7744
Email: info@vancouverchiropractic.net

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