5 Drug-Free Ways to Deal with a Migraine

The migraine: a lightning storm of a headache that can shut down your senses and make simple conversations and decisions unbearable. People even end up in the ER seeking help. Medication can take the edge off, but it doesn't always address why migraines keep coming back. That's where chiropractic comes in: care that looks for the cause.

Migraines are a common neurological condition that causes severe, recurring headaches, often with other symptoms such as nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and visual disturbances. They can be debilitating and greatly affect quality of life.

Migraines have many triggers. One that chiropractors look at closely is the upper neck. Misalignment there can put stress on the brainstem, the nerves of the neck and the blood flow to the brain. Combined with everyday stress, that restricted communication can leave the nervous system on high alert, and a migraine can follow.

Tip 1: See a chiropractor

Chiropractic care is a holistic approach that focuses on the spine and nervous system. Misalignments of the spine, known as subluxations, can cause tension and irritation of the nerves in the neck, which can contribute to headaches. Specific, gentle adjustments correct those subluxations, with the goal of reducing how often migraines happen and how severe they are.

Research supports this. Studies, including some published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, have found that chiropractic adjustments can reduce migraine frequency and intensity for many people, in some cases with results comparable to commonly prescribed preventive medication.

Tip 2: Get some rest

After you've seen the chiropractor, let the body rest. That may seem obvious to anyone who has suffered from migraines, but what I mean is allowing the body to shift back into a parasympathetic (relaxed) state, which the adjustment helps bring about. This turns down the adrenal response that runs during sympathetic (stressed) operation. Running on adrenaline is designed for short-term use, and over time it can alter how the body functions, contributing to sleep, digestive and mood problems.

When the body recovers in a parasympathetic state, it is better able to absorb water and nutrients and regain control of hormonal function. More communication throughout the body means better function throughout the body. This is an essential part of healing.

"You can't medicate your way out of a problem you behaved your way into." — Dr. Austin Davis

Tip 3: Make it personal

As dynamic and beautiful as the world is, it can also be wild and stressful. Here's the big secret: there will always be stressors in life. Removing all stress isn't realistic. In fact, trying to remove every stressor would be incredibly stressful. The key to real wellness is adaptation. How you adapt to stress determines your level of health.

That said, there is still a lot you can do to minimize unnecessary stress. Look at your life objectively and notice which social or environmental triggers cause your stress response to overreact. Once you know them, face them. Journal, meditate, or use any mindful practice that gives you the space to analyze and dissolve those connections to stress.

Tip 4: Eat better and drink more water

I am not a nutritionist, so I'll keep this short. There's a simple phrase to remember: good in, good out; garbage in, garbage out. Limit inflammatory and processed foods, alcohol and refined sugars, and your body will thank you. Look for anti-inflammatory foods that support a healthy system, and especially the gut: fermented foods such as kimchi and kefir, fish oils, healthy fats, proteins and whole foods.

Drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water a day. It can be surprising how much something as simple as hydration (while avoiding caffeine, alcohol and sugary drinks) improves your health, from migraines to mood, digestion and skin.

Tip 5: Finish strong

Move your body. Humans are designed to be dynamic. Movement circulates oxygenated blood and cerebrospinal fluid and supports healthy muscle and organ function.

When a person is too sedentary, the body's functions are inhibited and dysfunction follows. Movement can mean going to the gym or simply taking a walk after every meal. I strongly encourage weight lifting, balance training, stretching and cardio. Get your heart rate up regularly to keep circulation healthy.

In conclusion

Everyone's experience with chiropractic and other care is different, so find what works best for you in each of these areas.

Chiropractic can be an effective, drug-free part of migraine care. It takes some consistency: the more you put in, the more you get out. The same goes for exercise and lifestyle changes. The focus should always be on why migraines keep happening, not symptom relief alone. These tips can help reduce how often they happen and how intense they are.

When to get emergency care

Call 911 or go to the ER for a sudden, severe headache unlike any you've had before, or a headache with weakness, numbness, trouble speaking, confusion, vision loss, a stiff neck with fever, or one that follows a head injury.