Treatment and Prevention of Migraines on the Outer Banks

A visit to Dr.Craig McGiffin could ease your pain

Chiropractic care for headaches has been discussed here before, but what about chiropractic care for migraine headaches?

Migraine headaches are very severe headaches, so severe that they have been compared to drilling a hole in your head.  Since they recur periodically, treatment and prevention of migraines is of the utmost importance.

Migraines share many symptoms with common headaches but also include more extreme ones.  Some of the more disturbing symptoms are nausea, vertigo, and visual problems such as peripheral blindness, blurred vision, and the appearance of flashing lights.  To make it even worse, migraines can go on for days.

No one is sure exactly what causes migraine headaches, but some common “triggers” have been noted:

• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Loud noises and bright lights
• Odors such as perfume and smoke (including cigarette smoke)
• Stress
• Some medications
• Hormone fluctuations
• Foods with MSG or nitrates (cured meats), fermented foods, and many everyday foods such as chocolate, peanut butter, and citrus fruits

Treatment for migraine headaches often includes medication, but recent studies are finding that chiropractic care can be as effective as prescription drugs for treating and preventing migraines.

Chiropractic care for migraines involves spinal manipulation, or readjusting the vertebrae.  You chiropractor will also help you to avoid migraines in the future by prescribing certain lifestyle changes, such as:

• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and cigarettes
• Establish a regular sleep schedule
• Regulate your diet and get plenty of exercise
• Find ways to reduce stress in your life (many forms of exercise will help reduce stress)

When migraines do occur, be sure to drink plenty of fluids and rest in a quiet place with dim lighting.

You should also keep a “migraine diary”, which will help to identify your particular migraine triggers.  Your diary should include:

• When the migraine began
• Your diet and sleep for the previous day or two
• What you were doing before the migraine began
• Any recent stress you were experiencing
• How long the migraine persists

Your Outer Banks chiropractor, Dr. Craig McGiffin, has the knowledge and experience to help you with treatment and prevention of migraine headaches.