If You Suffer From Chronic Migraines In Greenwich CT, Chiropractic Care Could Be the Answer

Approximately 39 million Americans live with migraine headaches. If you’re one of them, you know firsthand how debilitating their symptoms can be. And, as if the headache wasn’t bad enough, many of the medications doctors prescribe to migraine sufferers come with equally unpleasant side effects.

Sound familiar? We’ve got good news: Chiropractic care can help with chronic migraines in Greenwich CT, and it comes without drugs or side effects.

Adam C. Massoud at Greenwich Wellness, provides comprehensive headache care for those who live in and around Greenwich CT. If you live with chronic headaches, including migraines, here’s how chiropractic care can help.

The complex nature of migraines In Greenwich CT

There are many kinds of headaches, and they aren’t one and the same, especially when they involve migraines.

Unlike other types of headache conditions, migraines are a neurological disorder. Their exact cause isn’t completely known. However, researchers believe they could involve changes in the brainstem and how it interacts with the trigeminal nerve, which is a major pain pathway in the body. Brain chemical imbalances may also come into play, specifically those that regulate pain in the nervous system, such as serotonin.

Migraine headaches often include four unique stages: prodrome, aura, attack, and post-drome.

Prodrome

This stage usually begins 1-2 days before an attack. In most cases, the warning signs can be subtle and include:

• Neck stiffness
• Food cravings
• Fluid retention
• Increased urination
• Constipation
• You may also experience mood changes, such as depression and irritability.

Aura

An aura, which can come before or during the headache phase, is triggered by the nervous system, and it often builds up over several minutes and can last up to an hour.

Auras are usually visual, such as bright spots, shapes, or flashes of light. However, auras can also include numbness or weakness in the face or one side of the body, difficulty speaking, or odd sensations in an arm or leg.

Attack

Once a migraine begins, it can last anywhere from 4-72 hours. Common signs of an attack include:

• Throbbing or pulsing pain in the head or neck
• Pain on one side of the head, how it can also be on both sides
• Sensitivity to sound and light, and, less often, smell and touch
• Dizziness, nausea, and vomiting
• Problems sleeping
• Mood changes

It’s possible to experience migraines infrequently or several times a month.

Post-drome

Migraines can leave a person feeling confused, “foggy,” and drained for up to a day, though some sufferers actually feel elated. During this period, any sudden head movement may trigger pain.

How chiropractic care can help

While migraines can vary from person to person, more than 75% of people living with this chronic condition have neck pain. On top of that, they often share neck stiffness, muscle tension, and problems with jaw function.

Unlike medications typically prescribed for migraine symptoms, chiropractic care addresses symptoms at the source by improving spinal function and reducing stress.

Dr. Massoud customizes his treatments based on the type of headache you suffer and the symptoms you experience. He relies on a variety of chiropractic techniques, ranging from spinal adjustments and targeted manipulations to acupuncture. Together, these therapies can help:

• Reduce pain
• Improve blood flow
• Relax muscles
• Release compressed nerves that are sending pain signals to the brain
• Relieve stress
• Maximize neuromusculoskeletal health

However, Dr. Massoud also understands that migraine triggers can include environmental factors, such as stress, lack of sleep, and diet. So, as part of your chiropractic care plan, Dr. Massoud can make lifestyle, nutrition, and herbal recommendations to address these factors.

Are chronic migraines derailing your life? To see if chiropractic care can help you get relief, call (203) 637-1111 or book an appointment online with Greenwich Wellness today.