What if there was a way that you could get effective treatment for migraines without taking drugs? At First Chiropractic in Austin, TX we can administer such treatment. Chiropractic adjustments do more than just treat the symptoms of migraines. They get right to the heart of the problem, by correcting the vertebral subluxations that contribute to muscle tension in the head and neck and can interfere with nerve function and blood flow to the head.

Get Relief for Migraine Headaches

Migraines are becoming more and more common. Chiropractors around the country are seeing an uptick in patients coming in with migraine symptoms, perhaps because these headaches can have such a wide range of causes. Migraines are often the result of muscle tension, jaw-clenching or spinal misalignments that can interfere with brain stem and spinal cord function by affecting the shape of the spinal channel through which these structures must pass.

Research supports the use of chiropractic manipulations for migraine treatment. A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics in 1995 found that spinal adjustments are effective for the treatment of migraines associated with muscle tension, and that the treatment benefits remained even after the patients stopped receiving chiropractic adjustments. In 2001, Duke University Evidence-Based Practice Center released a report showing that chiropractic adjustments bring faster and longer-lasting relief of migraine pain than medications, with fewer side effects. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, 22 percent of migraine sufferers who received chiropractic treatment experienced at least 90 percent fewer headaches, and 49 percent said the treatments significantly mitigated the intensity of migraine pain.

If you choose First Chiropractic for your migraine treatments, our chiropractor in Austin, Dr. Jerel Wottrich, will begin by taking your complete medical history and performing a thorough physical exam. Any information you can give Dr. Wottrich about when your headaches began, what seems to bring on a headache and what seems to help a headache will be beneficial, as will any information about your medical history, including past injuries.

Your physical exam will help Dr. Wottrich assess your reflexes and muscle strength, as well as the level of muscle tension you are experiencing. X-rays or other diagnostic imaging tests may be necessary to help Dr. Wottrich determine the extent of any vertebral subluxations that may be contributing to your migraines. Imaging tests can also help us rule out any potentially serious underlying causes of your condition. X-rays can help us spot any instabilities or injuries in your ligaments, or other things that might contraindicate certain chiropractic procedures.

Treatment will most likely involve a combination of spinal manipulations to remove vertebral misalignments and restore spinal and nervous functioning while relieving muscle tension. Other treatment methods can include myofascial release or trigger point stimulation, exercises to correct your posture and relax tense muscles, and lifestyle changes. With our help, most of our migraine patients are able to return to a life free of pain.