How Often Should I Go to a Chiropractor for Migraines?

How Often Should I Go to a Chiropractor for Migraines?

March 8, 2023

Migraines are neurological conditions causing intense headaches often described as pounding and throbbing. Migraines are generally accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to sound and light. While there are no cures for migraines, various treatments help address their symptoms and side effects by including medicines or lifestyle changes.

People affected by migraines can also seek chiropractic treatments as an alternative remedy. Manual therapy is often involved with chiropractic care which includes manipulating the spine. Several studies confirm chiropractic care is effective for some kinds of migraines. However, other studies think it might be due to a placebo effect where one treatment working for you may not work similarly for others. Therefore if you are affected by migraines, you can seek help from the chiropractor near me for relief.

Expected Benefits of Chiropractic Treatment for Migraines

While some research determines chiropractic treatment is beneficial for migraines, the methodology remains questionable with varying quality states a review of 21 studies. Therefore extensive research is essential because most studies included small groups of people affected by this condition.

One study in 2017 determined no significant differences between the placebo groups and the group receiving spinal manipulation. However, both studies reported a decrease in migraines confirming additional research is necessary to verify the effectiveness of chiropractic treatments.

Potential Risks and Side Effects of Chiropractic Treatment for Migraines

Chiropractic care has the same risks and side effects as any treatment. However, it is challenging to accumulate precise data on manual therapy’s adverse effects. This is because the clinical trials of manual therapy do not report the negative impact, unlike with drugs.

While one study from 2017 noted mild to moderate side effects common among adults and children following spinal manipulation, they occurred in 23 to 83 percent of people and included additional pain and discomfort in the muscles, bones, ligaments, and tendons. However, the adverse effects disappeared by themselves within 24 hours.

Most severe adverse effects were noted in children and adults, although rare. Estimates of severe adverse effects ranged between one per 2 million medications or 13 for 10,000 people. The severe side effects include spinal-cord injury following cervical, thoracic, or lumbar manipulation, collapsed lung, worsening of lumbar disk herniations, and cauda equina syndrome.

A meta-analysis in 2017 noted that while some general and severe adverse side effects were reported, the standards and guidelines for the reporting were flawed. In addition, out of the reported side effects, including severe stroke, headache, increased pain, fatigue, and worsening of symptoms. Therefore, you should ask a doctor or migraine specialist whether you can seek chiropractic care before visiting a chiropractor near you for migraines. The specialists can assist you with knowledge about the situation’s risks.

Does Chiropractic Care Help Treat Other Headaches?

Headaches are a familiar complaint among people seeing a chiropractor who may not have migraines. The problems people discuss with the chiropractor in 49686 include the following:

  • Cervicogenic Headache: Cervicogenic headaches are similar to migraines. The primary difference is migraines start in the brain, and cervicogenic headaches stem from the neck or the base of the skull. Randomized studies from 2017 noted that spinal manipulation treatment improved cervicogenic headaches more than a placebo. However, additional research is essential with larger groups and placebo treatment with chiropractic care.
  • Tension Headaches: Tension headaches are the most common, with many people reporting this version approximately twice a month, although they occur more frequently in others. Treatment approaches used for tension headaches by chiropractors include spinal manipulation, soft tissue therapy, stress management guidance, and headache trigger advice.

When Can You Consult Physicians for Migraines?

You must contact your physician for advice if your headaches interfere with daily life. You can keep a headache log noting the location of the pain and the time. Keep the physician informed where the pain occurs or if it occurs more than once a month.

You can also call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room if you have headaches, including slurred speech or drooping of the face, weakness in the arm or leg, an aura lasting over an hour, and loss of consciousness or unexpected and sudden onset. Occasionally symptoms of stroke can also resemble a migraine.

Many people find relief from chiropractic treatment although it is considered a complementary or alternative therapy for migraines. Additional research is also necessary to definitively recommend treatment from the chiropractor in Traverse City if you intend to find relief from chiropractic care for migraines. However, you must discuss your situation with your physician before visiting the chiropractor for relief.

Diversified Chiropractic receives many patients complaining about different types of headaches besides migraines. Kindly consult your physician whether you can receive treatment from a chiropractor for your migraines and contact them for advice for relief from this quality of life-disrupting headaches.

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