Chronic migraines and headaches can cause disabling pain that significantly impacts your quality of life. Migraines are more intense than traditional headaches and typically have other symptoms, such as nausea, light sensitivity, vomiting, and pain behind the eye.
It’s estimated that more than 38 million people suffer from migraines, and they often report missing work and regular activities when they get a migraine attack.
Traditional headaches can be mild or severe. Some people experience chronic, severe headaches that, like migraines, interfere with their daily functioning. Pain medication can provide temporary relief, but doesn’t address the root of the problem and can have side effects. Our experts discuss three drug-free ways you can get relief from chronic migraines and headaches that you may not know about.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy can provide relief from migraines and several types of headaches that are caused by muscle and joint problems. Cervicogenic and tension headaches are two types that can benefit from physical therapy.
Cervicogenic headaches occur secondary to a neck problem. People who suffer whiplash commonly suffer from this type of headache. The pain typically occurs on one side of the head and is usually accompanied by neck pain. Physical therapy for cervicogenic headaches is aimed at rehabilitating the neck. As the neck recovers, headaches tend to ease.
Tension headaches are extremely common. They’re usually described as a dull, aching pain that spreads across the forehead. These headaches feel as if a thick rubber band is squeezing the head. Stress is a common trigger for tension headaches. Physical therapy is aimed at relieving the tension on your muscles to relieve this type of headache.
Headaches caused by jaw dysfunction benefit from physical therapy as well. People who grind their teeth at night or have jaw alignment issues due to dental problems commonly experience related headaches. Physical therapy aimed at improving the function of the jaw can provide relief.
Botox®
Through his integrative practice, Lifestyle Medical Center, internist and chiropractic physician Gerry Langston, DC, offers effective solutions for addressing migraines and headaches, including Botox® injections.
Although Botox is best known for smoothing wrinkles, it’s also beneficial and FDA-approved for chronic migraines. Botox is a purified form of botulinum toxin, a substance produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. In tiny doses Botox prevents muscles from contracting and prevents nerve endings from releasing chemicals involved in transmitting pain signals. It’s this disruption that relieves chronic migraine pain. Botox for chronic migraines is typically administered every three months.
Chiropractic adjustments
Spinal manipulation can help relieve migraines and headaches that originate in the neck. Many headaches are caused by tension in the neck and can be triggered by various activities, including spending an extended time in a fixed position, like spending too much time in front of a computer.
Receiving chiropractic adjustments can reduce migraine frequency, intensity, and duration and improve your quality of life. Treatment focuses on improving the alignment of the spine to alleviate pain. Your provider manually manipulates the spine by applying controlled force to the joints to relieve pressure and improve the function of your spine. Chiropractic adjustments for migraines and headaches are typically administered once or twice a week.
You don’t have to suffer with migraine and headache pain. Visit Lifestyle Medical Center in Plano, Texas, for effective solutions that can effectively treat chronic migraines and headaches and provide the relief you need. Call or book online for more information and to schedule an appointment.
