Migraine & Headache Care at Fitness Chiropractic

Migraine or another type of headache?

Not every bad headache is a migraine, and the type matters because it changes what's likely to help.

• Migraine is a neurological condition. It usually causes throbbing or pulsing pain on one or both sides of the head, often with nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound. Attacks can last from a few hours to a few days.
• Tension-type headaches feel like a steady band of pressure around the head. They're often linked to stress, poor sleep and tight neck and shoulder muscles.
• Cervicogenic headaches start in the neck. Pain usually begins at the base of the skull on one side and spreads forward, and it's often worse with certain neck movements or long hours at a desk.
• Jaw-related headaches can come from clenching, grinding or a problem with the jaw joint — see our page on TMJ.

Many people have more than one type, and neck tension can make migraines harder to manage.

The four phases of a migraine

Not everyone goes through every phase, and they can overlap:

1. Prodrome — a day or two before, you may notice food cravings, low mood, fatigue, frequent yawning or neck stiffness
2. Aura — in some people, visual disturbances such as flashing lights or zigzag lines, or tingling and numbness, come before or with the headache
3. Attack — the headache itself, often with throbbing pain, nausea, dizziness and sensitivity to light and sound, lasting hours to days
4. Postdrome — afterward, many people feel drained, foggy or moody and find it hard to concentrate

What causes migraines?

Researchers don't fully understand migraines, but they involve changes in how the brain processes signals. Overactive nerve pathways — including the trigeminal nerve, which supplies sensation to the face and head — release inflammatory chemicals such as CGRP around the brain's blood vessels and coverings, which produces the pain. Migraines also tend to run in families.

Common triggers include:

• Stress, and sometimes the "let-down" after a stressful stretch
• Too little sleep or an irregular sleep schedule
• Skipped meals and dehydration
• Certain foods, alcohol, and changes in caffeine intake
• Hormonal changes, such as the menstrual cycle
• Bright or flickering lights, loud noise, strong smells and weather changes

Keeping a simple headache diary can help you spot your own patterns.

How chiropractic care may help headaches

Chiropractic care won't change the neurology that makes someone prone to migraines, and the evidence for migraine specifically is mixed. It's more often helpful for tension-type and neck-related headaches — and for the neck and shoulder tension that can make migraines more frequent or harder to shake.

Your first visit includes a full orthopedic and neurological exam with a close look at your neck, upper back, jaw and posture. Care may include:

• Gentle adjustments or mobilization of the neck and upper back to restore motion in stiff joints
• Soft tissue work for the muscles at the base of the skull, neck and shoulders
• Posture and workstation changes, plus exercises to strengthen the deep neck muscles
• Advice on sleep position and pillows

We work alongside your physician, not in place of them — keep taking any prescribed medication unless your doctor tells you otherwise. If neck pain is part of your picture, that's often the best place to start. You can read more about our overall approach to chiropractic treatment.

Massage and acupuncture for migraines

Many headache patients combine more than one approach. Massage therapy can ease the muscle tension and stress that often feed tension headaches and migraines. Acupuncture has been studied as a way to reduce how often migraines occur, and some patients find it a useful part of their plan.

For a deeper look at long-term options, read about chiropractic care for chronic migraine headaches.

Everyday habits that may reduce migraines

• Exercise regularly — it can lower stress and improve sleep
• Keep a consistent sleep schedule, and keep naps under 30 minutes so they don't disrupt your night
• Eat regular, balanced meals at similar times each day, and drink enough water
• Limit your known food triggers, such as alcohol or aged cheese, if they affect you
• Manage stress with breaks, stretching, breathing exercises or yoga

For more ideas, see how to relieve a headache naturally.

When a headache needs emergency care

Call 911 or go to an emergency room for:

• A sudden, severe "worst-ever" headache that peaks within about a minute
• A headache with fever and a stiff neck
• A headache with confusion, weakness or numbness on one side, vision loss or trouble speaking
• A headache after a head injury

See a doctor promptly if your headaches are new after age 50, are changing pattern or getting steadily worse, or wake you from sleep.