When people are in pain and traditional medicine has not provided any safe relief, they often turn to alternative sources of treatment. One example of this is when patients experiencing severe headaches and migraines seek the services of a highly rated, local doctor of chiropractic (“DC”). DC’s typically have an undergraduate degree plus four years of in-depth training at a chiropractic college. Their highly focused training, plus their years of experience, give them an edge when comes to diagnosing issues and treating chronic conditions like migraines.
If you have ever gone to DCs for treatment, it’s likely that you found them to be caring, skilled and very approachable. In talking to different chiropractors, it’s interesting to ask what called them to their profession. Many times they related stories of their own healing journey, where they had a condition that western medicine could not address or fix. They turned to chiropractic care for help, and just as importantly, to bring them hope. In many cases they bring a humanity to the medical process that is not often seen.
Common Symptoms of Migraines
Migraines can be debilitating, and the symptoms can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours. Some patients just get them occasionally, while others may have them multiple times in a month. They can be accompanied by severe pain behind both eyes or, at times, on one or both sides of the head.
Sensitivity to light is also dramatically increased, and in some cases, there is also sensitivity to sound. The pain is generally sharp, dull or throbbing, and pain levels can range from moderate to very severe. Blurred vision may also be present, as may vomiting and nausea.
How a DC Can Help With Migraines
People often turn to chiropractic care for migraines because it is a complementary alternative form of medicine that can help with migraines. With severe headaches and migraines, there is often accompanying neck stiffness and pain, which is often treated by chiropractors.
The first thing the DC will do is to perform an examination so they can diagnose the source and type of the headaches. If they are being induced or aggravated by misalignment in the spine or neck, they can then then use spinal manipulation and other techniques to help reduce the tension and stress in the back and neck areas.
Other Therapies That a Chiropractor Can Provide
In addition to spinal adjustments, the DC can provide important lifestyle management advice on posture, exercise and nutrition. Certain dietary changes might be recommended, as are using B complex vitamin supplements. It may also be helpful to switch from intense, heavy exercise to lower impact routines. Changing poor posture habits while sitting for hours at work is also a must.
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Soft tissue therapies could be included as part of your treatment program. Massage, trigger point therapies and myofascial release massage have proven to be beneficial. Laser therapy may also be used in leading chiropractic practices as an adjunct to the other therapies.
If you are suffering from the debilitating effects of migraines and have not found relief from traditional medicine, you may benefit from seeing a chiropractor for alternative treatment. They have extensive experience diagnosing and successfully treating migraines and other types of severe headaches.
