Can Visiting Your Chiropractor Help Migraines?

Chiropractors move, stretch, and manipulate the spine. As such, many people assume that chiropractors only treat back and neck problems. They may only seek out chiropractic care in Ocean County, New Jersey if they injure their back or neck, or suffer from chronic back/neck pain.

In reality, chiropractors can help with a whole spectrum of issues, from arthritis and joint pain to chronic stress. Medical research also indicates that chiropractic treatment can help prevent migraines. If you suffer from this painful condition, you definitely want to reduce the frequency and severity of your migraines—and chiropractic care may be able to help you do it. Here’s how:


1. Reduce stress
Many patients who come into chiropractic offices show clear signs of the damaging effects of stress. Stress not only triggers migraines; it can cause or exacerbate a host of other diseases and ailments.

The spine is the root of the nervous system; nerve impulses travel through the spine, moving from the brain to the rest of the body. Chronic stress can cause muscles to contract and tense up. This tension eventually leads to misalignments of the spinal column, or “subluxations.” Chronic stress can also result in nerve irritation.

Chiropractic adjustments can release muscle tension, restoring the body to a more relaxed and balanced state. They can also help reduce irritation of spinal nerves and increase blood circulation. In response, the brain may turn off its “fight or flight” response, and your tension and pain will subside.

Chiropractors are also trained in nutritional therapies and other relaxation techniques. This broad knowledge can help you make posture and environmental changes that could alleviate pain.

2. Minimize triggers
While migraines are not fully understood, there are several common triggers. These include stress, certain foods (e.g. caffeine, cheese, and wine), unhealthy sleeping habits, and tension in the neck (especially the upper part of the neck).

Chiropractic care can help address these problems. For one, chiropractic adjustments can help you relax. They also improve blood flow in the nervous system. And, as chiropractors are also trained in nutritional therapies, they can recommend changes in your diet to further ease your symptoms.

A licensed chiropractor can also correct any subluxations in the spine; these subluxations can compress nerves and impede communication between the spine and brain. In turn, your body will experience what’s called “stress response” and be knocked out of balance, which can interfere with sleep. Back pain can also negatively impact sleep. This, too, can be reduced by regular chiropractic treatment.

Can chiropractic care really help my migraines?

If you suffer from migraines in Ocean County, New Jersey, you know how debilitating they can be. Chiropractic care may not be a miracle solution, but it does bring tangible relief for million of people who suffer from migraines. To find out whether this type of care is right for you, schedule a consultation with a reputable chiropractic care center. Not only can it help reduce the frequency and severity of your migraines, it can lead to better overall health and deeper relaxation.