More than 3 million people across the United States suffer from migraines. These extreme headaches can make performing everyday tasks difficult, if not impossible. While some medication and lifestyle changes can help you reduce migraines, one other treatment stands out as a reliable way to decrease them: chiropractic care. 

At Elevate Wellness, our team understands how detrimental migraines can be to your ability to perform everyday tasks. The pain may feel unmanageable, and you may struggle to reduce discomfort, even with prescription pain medication. Keep reading to learn more about how your chiropractor can help reduce migraines. 

What are Migraines? 

Migraines are headaches that cause throbbing pain, most often on one side of the head. They are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme light and sound sensitivity. Migraines may last between a few hours and several days, and the pain can be so bad that it interferes with everyday activities.

There are four stages of migraines, including: 

• Prodrome: The first stage begins about 24 hours before your migraine. You may notice mood changes, nausea, fatigue, and more. 
• Aura: This stage is a collection of warning signs that a migraine may be beginning. The aura may last between five and sixty minutes and may occur at the same time as the headache. Not everyone who experiences migraines will experience auras. 
• Headache: Once the prodrome stage ends, the migraine starts. This headache may last between four hours and three days.
• Postdrome: The final stage lasts for a few hours to several days. These symptoms may feel similar to an alcohol-induced hangover. 

What are the Triggers for Migraines? 

Some of the most common triggers for migraines include being hungry, thirsty, or stressed. Major changes in your everyday routine may also lead to a migraine attack. However, there are far more triggers that may cause migraines, including: 

• Hormone Changes
• Teeth Grinding
• Head Injuries
• Electronic Device Use

If you experience consistent migraines, you should consider keeping a journal to help you identify your specific triggers. This will help you rule out some activities and determine what factors of your lifestyle may contribute to your migraines. 

How Can Your Chiropractor Reduce Migraines? 

If you have struggled to reduce migraines on your own, working with a reliable chiropractic team is a great way to alleviate this pain. To start, your chiropractor will perform a physical exam and discuss your migraine symptoms with you. From this physical examination, your chiropractor may recommend spinal adjustments and decompression therapy to help reduce migraines.

Spinal adjustments and decompression therapy can help improve your spinal function and alleviate stress on your nervous system. Misalignments may contribute to your migraine frequency. Adjustments can correct this misalignment, potentially reducing the frequency and intensity of your migraines. 

They may also recommend soft tissue therapies, including massage and trigger point therapy. These treatments can help relax tightened muscles in your neck, shoulders, and back. Tension in these areas can contribute to migraine headaches, so releasing muscle tension may help alleviate migraine frequency and intensity.

These chiropractic treatments can help you reduce migraines without having to rely on pain medications you may not feel comfortable using. In addition to chiropractic treatments, your chiropractor may recommend lifestyle changes to help reduce migraines. These lifestyle changes include drinking more water, getting more consistent sleep, and improving your posture.

Finally, your chiropractor may recommend learning self-care techniques such as stretching and relaxation techniques. These techniques can help you alleviate the stress you may experience as you feel a migraine setting in and prevent them from occurring altogether. 

Should You Speak to a Doctor about Your Migraines? 

While your chiropractor can help you reduce migraines, there are some signs that you should seek medical attention. If you have regular migraines, keep a record of the triggers and symptoms. From there, make an appointment with your healthcare provider and discuss medications and treatments that can help you alleviate their frequency.

If you experience any of the following migraine symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention:

• Sudden onset migraines
• Headaches accompanied by stroke symptoms, such as confusion, numbness, or difficulty walking or seeing
• Headaches after an auto accident or sports injury
• Chronic headaches that worsen after physical exertion

Migraine Treatment and More at Elevate Wellness

Whether you are trying to reduce migraines or treat other ailments with the help of a chiropractic team, it is essential that you work with a team of reliable chiropractors like our team at Elevate Wellness. With years of experience helping patients across the Bountiful area and beyond recover from injuries and impairments, we are confident that we can do the same for you. 

We can help you treat workplace injuries, sciatica, neck pain, and more. If other treatments haven’t helped you reduce migraines and you would like to speak to our chiropractor about how they can help, don’t hesitate to contact us today for support. 

Torticollis, also known as wryneck, is a condition characterized by the involuntary contraction or shortening of the neck muscles, resulting in the head tilting to one side or the other. While this condition can occur at any age, it is particularly prevalent in infants, and if left untreated, it can cause discomfort and restrict movement. In this blog post, we’ll explore the causes of torticollis, common symptoms, and the role of chiropractic care in finding relief.

Causes of Torticollis

Torticollis can be classified into two main types — congenital and acquired — based on its underlying cause.

Congenital Torticollis

If a baby’s position in the uterus is abnormal, or if they experience trauma during delivery, they may have congenital torticollis. This type typically affects the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which attaches to the back of the ear and the collarbone. When this muscle is tightened or shortened, it can lead to a tilted head. It may not be noticeable until the baby is a few weeks old or begins to gain greater control of their head.

Acquired Torticollis

Acquired torticollis can occur at any point after birth. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, inflammation, muscle spasms, or prolonged poor posture. In certain cases, underlying medical conditions such as tumors or infections may also be contributing factors. This type is the less common of the two and may either be benign or a sign or a more serious issue.

Torticollis Symptoms

While the primary symptom of torticollis is a visibly tilted head, it may be accompanied by:

• Chin tilted to one side
• Limited head and neck movement
• One shoulder is higher than the other
• Neck muscle stiffness or tightness
• Swollen neck muscles
• Asymmetrical facial features
• Small lump in the neck muscle
• Neck pain
• Head tremors
• Headaches

These symptoms can vary in severity, potentially impacting an individual’s quality of life and affecting their ability to participate in activities they enjoy and perform their daily tasks. Fortunately, there is hope in the form of chiropractic care.

Treatment Through Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive, holistic approach to managing both congenital and acquired torticollis. This treatment focuses on addressing underlying causes in order to restore proper alignment and function to the spine and surrounding muscles. Here’s how chiropractors can help individuals of all ages find relief from torticollis:

Comprehensive Assessment

Before beginning treatment, the chiropractor conducts a thorough evaluation to assess the patient’s posture, range of motion, and muscle strength. They may also utilize orthopedic and neurological tests, along with imaging tools like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, to determine the extent of the condition and rule out any underlying medical issues.

Spinal Adjustments

By performing gentle spinal adjustments, chiropractors aim to realign the vertebrae in the cervical spine, relieving pressure on the affected muscles and nerves. This can help alleviate stiffness and pain while improving neck mobility.

Pediatric Care

Chiropractors can treat individuals of all ages, including infants. When it comes to treating their youngest patients, chiropractors take an extraordinarily gentle approach without the cracks and pops associated with standard chiropractic adjustments. To learn more about chiropractic care for infants, check out our previous blog on the topic, Exploring the Surprising Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Infants. 

Soft Tissue Therapy

Chiropractic care isn’t just concerned with the skeletal system; chiropractors’ expertise extends to soft tissues, as well. They may incorporate techniques such as massage, stretching, or myofascial release to relax tense muscles and promote healing. Targeted treatment aimed at the sternocleidomastoid muscle can be particularly beneficial for those with congenital torticollis.

Postural Education and Home Care Strategies

To prevent torticollis symptoms from worsening, chiropractors educate patients about proper posture and ergonomics. They may also recommend personalized home care strategies to complement in-office treatment and facilitate long-term recovery. This may involve exercises to strengthen the muscles supporting the neck and spine, stretches, self-care techniques, and ergonomic modifications at work or home.

Comprehensive Chiropractic Care at Elevate Wellness

Torticollis can be difficult to manage, but with proper care and attention, individuals can experience significant symptom improvement and regain neck and spine function. 

If you or your child are experiencing the challenges of torticollis, consider chiropractic care from the experts at Elevate Wellness. We can address the underlying causes of this condition with targeted therapies to restore optimal health and improve your quality of life. 

Contact Elevate Wellness Chiropractic to schedule an appointment with one of our highly experienced team members. Your journey to a pain-free neck starts today!