Let’s talk about migraines… 1 out of every 6 of you that read this will get a migraine over the next 3 months. Women are 2x as likely to get migraines. Those with migraines spend an average of $9000/year on medical costs. Needless to say, migraines are a BIG issue and negatively impact many people’s quality of life.

So what exactly is a migraine? A migraine is a type of headache that usually feels “throbbing”, is worse on one side of the head, and can be accompanied by nausea and visual symptoms (although it doesn’t have to be). When people have a migraine, they are typically sensitive to light so they prefer to lay in a dark room until it “passes”. At its heart, migraines are a headache that stems from issues with blood flow regulation to the brain (which is why they often feel throbbing).

How can chiropractic help? First, chiropractic care helps your body regulate blood flow better to the brain by improving the function and alignment of the bones in your neck. The artery that supplies the brain is called the vertebral artery and it travels through the bones in your neck. When there are issues with your cervical spine, it affects blood flow regulation to the brain (encouraging migraines). Second, chiropractic care helps your body respond and adapt to stress better (which is often a trigger of migraines). As you are better able to adapt to life’s stressors, they will be less likely to trigger migraine episodes. Lastly, decreasing pressure and tension on the nerves in your head and neck area limits the frequency and intensity of migraines.

Migraines are a common cause of disability, lost work, and financial hardship in America. Thankfully, chiropractic care has been shown to be a safe, effective treatment so you can get back to living the life you want!