In the U.S., more than 37 million people suffer from migraines. Of those 37 million it is estimated that 5 million have a migraine at least one time a month. Labor statistics rank migraines as the number one cause for missed work costing the U.S. economy $5.6 to $17.2 billion dollars in lost labor and production per year. Over half of migraine sufferers report missing family events, social events, restricting daily activities, disability and seeking medical attention. Migraines currently rank as the 19th most common reason for disability.
What is a migraine? Migraine is a term applied to a special type of vascular headache (blood circulation) headache that is generally thought of as more severe than a regular headache. Migraines are more common in females then males and thought to be due to a recessive gene that is inherited from one family member to another. Migraines can be accompanied by nausea, or visual disturbances (aura). The headache is usually on one side of the head (unilateral) but can be felt on both sides (bilaterally) in some cases. Migraines are usually throbbing in nature due to disturbances in blood flow to the brain.
What triggers a migraine attack? It has been documented that migraines can occur due to increased stress, anxiety, tension, food sensitivity (red wine, cheeses, etc) and vertebral misalignments (subluxations). Additionally, many migraine sufferers report daily headaches that are tight, squeezing and dull in nature. If you think you may be suffering from migraines or headaches, you should consider contacting a Doctor of Chiropractic.
A Doctor of Chiropractic is trained and licensed in the diagnosis of many forms of headaches, including migraines. Through careful history, examination, and the aid of x-rays. A Doctor of Chiropractic can often determine the cause of your head pain and recommend a treatment program, which may include adjustment (manipulation) of misaligned vertebra (the bones of the spine) to reduce the number of migraines you experience and the severity and duration of an attack. In some cases, an adjustment has been reported to stop an attack from proceeding to the headache phase.
