Chiropractic Care May Help With Migraines
By Paul Rothbart
Headaches are unpleasant, to say the least, but migraines can be unbearable. They can be so intense that you are unable to function in the simplest of tasks. Sometimes, the only thing you can do is lie down in a dark, quiet room. There are ways to bring relief and reduce the incidence of migraines as well. Naturally, if they are persistent and severe, you should seek medical attention. For the occasional migraine, you can try one of these methods.
Pain Medications
For relief of a migraine, pain meds generally are effective. These can include aspirin or ibuprofen. Acetaminophen works well on migraines with aura. Care should be taken not to exceed the recommended dosage or the total number of pills you can take in a 24-hour period. Pain pills that contain caffeine are designed to fight migraines and work well against milder cases. Pain meds should only be taken for migraines that occur infrequently. There are potential side effects or damage to the liver from taking them for too long.
Botox
Botox is mainly used in cosmetic medicine to reduce wrinkles. It has also been found to be effective at reducing the frequency of migraines. The Botox is injected into key areas of the head and neck. These treatments are only approved for patients above the age of 18 who experience 15 or more migraines per month. It can take more than one set of injections and up to four weeks before a reduction in migraines occurs. Although effective for many people, Botox injections are invasive and may not be desirable for some.
Chiropractic Care
You may associate chiropractors with fixing bad backs but there are far more ailments that may respond to treatment. Unlike the other options, chiropractic care is non-invasive and uses no drugs. It is a completely natural form of treatment that gets to the source of the problem. Subluxations or compressed discs anywhere along the spine can cause pressure on the spinal cord that can spread through the nerve system. This is often the source of migraines. Left untreated, the migraines will keep recurring. A chiropractor can locate the problem and fix it with an adjustment. This relieves the pressure on the spinal cord and your migraines may be a thing of the past.
Migraines are nothing to take lightly. There are several ways to treat and prevent them. Natural treatments tend to be better. If you suffer from migraines, consider a visit to The Joint Chiropractic. You don't need an appointment. You may find that regular chiropractic care puts an end to migraines. Your chiropractor can also advise you as to whether you need further medical tests.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in McKinney, Tex.