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If you are suffering the effects of migraines, then you know just how debilitating they are, but rest assured that you are far from alone. There are about 39 million people in the US suffering from this neurological condition. So why don’t we have a better grasp of the underlying cause of migraines? We’re going to take a look at some of the things that are going on under the surface. This will help us to understand why upper cervical chiropractors in Pittsburgh are having success in providing relief for our patients. Read on to learn the secret to getting natural help for migraines.
The First Step to Preventing Migraines
While it is nice that they make medications to help you deal with some of the symptoms of migraines such as the pain and nausea, it is certainly a higher form of care to try and prevent migraines from happening in the first place. One way to do this is through keeping a migraine journal. This tactic can help you to track your triggers, and it gives you your first line of defense against migraines.
Some of the common triggers for migraines include stress, weather changes, sensory overloads, hormone fluctuations, food sensitivities, caffeine, medication overuse, missed meals, lack of sleep, and more. As you can see, you can’t avoid all of the triggers. However, there are some lifestyle changes that can have an effect.
- Improving sleep – Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, making sure to leave 7-8 hours for sleep each night. Prepare your bedroom for sleep by making it dark, quiet, and by charging electronics in another room or at least somewhere in the room that they won’t bother you.
- Eating right – It is important to avoid things you are sensitive too. An exclusion diet may help you to identify such foods. You will also want to be balanced with your caffeine intake. A little may help migraines. Too much can make them worse. Finally, be sure not to skip meals. If you are busy at work, keep something healthy at your desk to snack on throughout the day.
- Stress management – There are plenty of healthy ways to manage stress. From getting a massage to taking up a hobby, find a stress relief technique that works for you. Just be sure to avoid things like smoking and overindulging in alcohol which have the potential to make migraines worse.
- Limit migraine medication use – Unfortunately, most headache medications can make matters worse if you take them too often. So if you have gradually seen your migraines become more and more frequent and you are going through bottle after bottle of over-the-counter pain relievers, part of the issue may be the pills. The only way to know for sure is to stop taking them for a couple of weeks to see if you get fewer headaches.
These are just a few things that you can do to reduce the frequency of migraines. But triggers are not causes, so you still need to find what is at the heart of the problem if you want real long-term relief.
The Underlying Cause of Migraines
Researchers have pinpointed a lot of migraine issues to various factors in the central nervous system (CNS) including but not limited to cerebral blood flow, intracranial pressure, and brainstem issues. Interestingly, all three of these things can be affected by a misalignment in the upper cervical spine. The top two bones in the neck, that atlas and axis, are in prime position to affect the brainstem, the flow of blood through the vertebral arteries, and the drainage of cerebrospinal fluid. Thus, there is a clear connection between migraines and upper cervical misalignments, and that is why we have been able to help so many of our patients.
At your consultation and examination, we work to ascertain your current level of health and concerns that you may have such as migraines. Then we develop a customized plan of action for you. We utilize modern diagnostic imagining techniques such as precision x-rays and computerized infrared thermography to identify nerve interference and the upper cervical misalignments that are at the root of the problem. Then, low-force high-velocity adjustments are provided using a dedicated table that relaxes the spinal column and allows your unique and specific adjustment to be administered properly. Most patients notice some immediate benefits, and these continue to grow more pronounced over time.
Find Relief from Upper Cervical Chiropractors in Pittsburgh
At Tranquilly Specific Chiropractic in Pittsburgh, we focus on the top bones in the neck in order to help the central nervous system of our patients to function optimally. For many migraine patients, this has led to fewer and less severe symptoms. Some patients have even seen a complete resolution to migraines.
If you experience neck pain either before or during a migraine, or if you have a history of head or neck injuries, you are a primary candidate to benefit from upper cervical chiropractic care. Even if those two things don’t apply to you, there may still be benefits to care, so be sure to schedule a consolation.
To experience your no-obligation consultation, call Tranquility Specific Chiropractic today at 412-833-1314. We want to help you to reach your maximum health potential, so don’t delay. Boost your health and overall well-being with upper cervical chiropractic care!
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Bragg & Dr. Gurcak, call our Pittsburgh office at (412) 833-1314. You can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
