The Migraine Association of Ireland states “that between 12-15% of Irish people suffer from migraine – this means that roughly half a million people suffer from migraine in Ireland. It is estimated that migraine costs Irish businesses €252 million every year as a result of lost productivity with the average migraineur missing between 1.5 and 4.5 days from work annually.” It is further noted that “more than two-thirds of medication overuse headache (MOH) occurs in people with migraine as the primary headache. Thus, migraine and MOH combined has become the second largest cause of disability in Ireland in 2016.” Ninety-one percent of people experiencing regular migraine headaches suffer migraine-associated disabilities directly related to their headaches. Millions of euros are spent on the treatment of migraines with medications that only address symptoms yet never resolve the underlying cause.
Chiropractic spinal adjustments provide one of the most effective interventions for people suffering with migraine headaches. The limitations to current pharmacological therapies highlight the need to explore alternative or integrative care for headaches. Research published in 2019, in the journal Headache, revealed the effectiveness of Chiropractic care for those suffering from migraines. Chiropractic adjustments deliver a significant effect that lowers the pain/intensity of migraines and the number of days migraine sufferers cope with pain.
Spinal adjustments can improve function in the brain and central nervous system and help balance hormones associated with migraine headache pain. The purpose of Chiropractic involves gently adjusting misaligned or immobile vertebra with the intention to improve nervous system communication from the brain to the body. The postural position and movement of the spine intimately connects to the health of the central nervous system. An altered spinal segment causes interference which impacts overall health. Poor vertebral position traces back to several traumatic origins ranging from physical injury to the stresses of life. One potential outcome can manifest as imbalanced stress hormones which produce migraine headaches.
Chiropractors specifically evaluate the alignment and mobility of the spine to ensure proper communication between the brain and the body. Other interventions known to support the influence of a Chiropractic adjustment in helping migraine sufferers include spinal stabilisation exercises, deep breathing techniques, soft tissue massage, stretching, nutrition, and ergonomic modifications.
Many people suffering from migraines believe that medication provides the only form of pain relief. Meanwhile, pharmaceutical pain and migraine medications represent some of the most dangerous drugs on the market due to their toxicity, potency, and potential for addiction and harm. The pain associated with migraines need not be exacerbated by the side effects of an intended treatment. Medicinal side effects from medications intended to treat the pain often complicate the healing process and rarely ever address the source of the pain or provide long term resolution. Chiropractic provides a drug-free approach to addressing migraine suffering. Nervous system care offers a critical solution that pursues the permanent resolution of migraine headaches. Surprisingly to many, a lot of medical evidence supports the concept that pain relief begins with ensuring optimal nervous system function. Before experiencing another episode or ingesting another drug, every migraine sufferer deserves the hope of Chiropractic.
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