Migranes and Chiropractic

Even with medical treatment you may still find yourself banging your head against the wall from persistent Migraine attacks.  Many Migraineurs find themselves turning to complementary or "alternative" treatments out of frustration when they are having limited success with prescription drugs and other approved medical treatments.  The following section will introduce you to some non-pharmaceutical therapies. These treatments offer many of us additional relief, but are NOT an excuse to abandoned approved medical care.  Rather they will offer you an opportunity to gain more control over you Migraine disease management.  They will work better if integrated into your overall care, and you should always advise your attending physician of every non-drug treatment you are trying.  Keep in mind even so-called natural remedies are drugs too, and some can effective other prescription drugs you may be on Migraine or other illnesses you also suffer from.  In addition, OTC or herbal/vitamins can sometimes cause serious illness or interfere with prescription drug effectiveness.  

A number of non-pharmacological approaches are sometimes used to relieve headache and/or Migraine pain. These alternative methods may help to reduce or relieve headache pain, but usually do not treat all of the Migraine associated symptoms. They are often used along with attack-abortive or preventive measures. Examples include:

Chiropractic methods employ a holistic approach to pain relief through massage, spinal manipulation and periodic adjustment of joints and soft tissue.  Although many who suffer from Migraine fail to find relief with chiropractic treatment, some have quite positive results.  Therefore we feel you should explore all non-drug option with an open mind.  If you enjoy positive results, stick with it, and if not—move on!

We have noted several studies that also show promise.  Take a look at the follow example:

One hundred and twenty-seven Migraine patients (at least one Migraine per month) were divided into two groups for comparison. Group 1 received chiropractic adjustments at specific vertebral subluxations determined by the treating practitioner; group 2 served as controls and received inactive treatment (electrical stimulation with no current delivered). Subjects receiving chiropractic adjustments reported substantial improvement in Migraine frequency, duration, disability, and medication use following two months of treatment. One in five participants reported a 90% reduction in Migraines, and half reported significant improvement in Migraine severity.

Are you tired of Migraine headaches ruining your day? With conventional over-the-counter medications proving less than effective (and often accompanied by dangerous side effects), it’s time to fight the pain from another angle. To find out more about the potential benefits of chiropractic care, schedule an appointment with Dr. Nordquist at (253) 445-3000.