How can a chiropractor help with migraines?

Migraines are far more than just “bad headaches.” They are complex neurological events that can cause significant disruption to work, family life, and overall well-being. For many, the onset of a migraine brings a sense of dread, often accompanied by sensory disturbances and intense throbbing. This fact sheet is designed to help you understand the nature of migraines and explore how a multidisciplinary approach including chiropractic care can help manage these symptoms.

In this article, Dr. Simon Nash (Chiropractor) discusses the multifaceted nature of migraines and the physical therapies that can be employed to reduce their frequency and intensity.

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general knowledge and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or your GP for a formal diagnosis and a personalised treatment plan.

Table of Contents

1. Understanding the Migraine Experience
2. The Role of Chiropractic in Migraine Management
3. Addressing the Physical Components: Neck and Jaw
4. Evidence-Based Techniques for Relief
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
6. Book a Consult with Our Chiro Brisbane
7. References
8. Video Transcript

Understanding the Migraine Experience

Migraines are a debilitating condition affecting approximately 4.9 million Australians. Unlike a standard tension headache, a migraine is often characterised by intense pulsing or throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head. Many sufferers also experience “aura” visual disturbances like flashing lights as well as extreme sensitivity to light, sound, and smell.

“Migraines are obviously a quite debilitating condition,” Dr. Nash explains. “And depending on the individual and how their migraines present, we would tailor treatment to that individual patient.”

Because migraines are complex, they often require a collaborative approach to care. This might include a GP or neurologist managing pharmacological interventions, while a chiropractor addresses the musculoskeletal factors that can trigger or exacerbate the episodes.

The Role of Chiropractic in Migraine Management

While the primary cause of a migraine is neurological, the physical state of the body plays a massive role in how often these attacks occur and how severe they feel. Many patients find that their migraines are preceded or accompanied by significant physical tension.

“Usually migraines are a multi-faceted approach,” says Dr. Nash. “You might have a neurologist or a GP providing medication, and you would have us helping with the physical side of things.”

By focusing on the “physical side,” chiropractors aim to reduce the total load of stress on the nervous system. Research published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics suggests that chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy can significantly reduce migraine days and pain intensity for many sufferers.

Addressing the Physical Components: Neck and Jaw

One of the most common physical contributors to migraine intensity is dysfunction in the neck (cervical spine) and the jaw (temporomandibular joint).

Dr. Nash notes a recurring pattern in the patients he sees: “Migraine patients typically have a lot of neck tension. They might be grinding their jaw. But also the main thing is obviously the headache.”

When the joints in the upper neck are stiff or misaligned, they can send heightened pain signals to the brainstem, which is already sensitised during a migraine. Similarly, jaw clenching often a response to stress tightens the muscles around the temples, further aggravating the head pain.

“Our goal isn’t just to treat the pain once it arrives, but to change the physical environment of the body so the migraines don’t occur as much as they normally would,” says Dr. Simon Nash (Chiropractor).

Evidence-Based Techniques for Relief

At Our Chiro Brisbane, we utilise a variety of tools to help calm the nervous system and release the physical tension associated with migraines. Every patient is different, so the toolkit must be diverse.

• Spinal Adjustments: Targeted chiropractic adjustments to the cervical and thoracic spine can help restore normal joint movement and reduce nerve irritation.
• Dry Needling: This involves inserting fine needles into trigger points in the neck and shoulder muscles to elicit a “twitch response” and release deep-seated tension.
• Soft Tissue Therapy: Dr. Nash often employs techniques like “active muscle release” or remedial massage concepts to address the muscular tightness that keeps the head and neck in a state of stress.
• Taping Methods: “We can use some taping methods such as kinesio taping or rigid taping,” Dr. Nash explains. This provides sensory feedback to the brain and support to the neck muscles.

Peer-reviewed literature highlights the efficacy of these combined approaches. A study in The Journal of Headache and Pain found that manual therapies, including massage and joint mobilisation, were effective in reducing the frequency and intensity of chronic migraines (Castien et al., 2010)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can a chiropractor stop a migraine while it is happening? A: While some patients find relief from gentle soft tissue work during an attack, chiropractic care is most effective as a preventative measure to reduce the frequency and severity of future episodes.

Q2: How does the neck affect a migraine? A: The nerves in the top three levels of your neck share a common pathway with the nerves responsible for feeling pain in your head and face. If your neck is stiff or painful, it can “trigger” or worsen a migraine.

Q3: Is chiropractic care safe for migraine sufferers? A: Yes. Our chiropractors use a range of gentle techniques tailored to your comfort level. We perform a thorough history and physical exam before any treatment begins.

Q4: Will I need to stop taking my migraine medication? A: No. Chiropractic care is meant to work alongside the treatment provided by your GP or neurologist. Always consult your prescribing doctor before making changes to your medication.

Q5: How many sessions will I need? A: This varies. Some patients see improvements in a few weeks, while others with chronic conditions may require ongoing maintenance to keep symptoms at bay.

Q6: Can jaw clenching cause migraines? A: Jaw tension (TMJ dysfunction) is a very common trigger. Treating the muscles of the jaw can often reduce the “load” that leads to a migraine.

Book a Consult with Our Chiro Brisbane

We know that living with migraines can feel like living on a timer, always waiting for the next “hit” to arrive. It’s exhausting to lose days to a dark room and silence. We understand the frustration of feeling like your body is letting you down.

At Our Chiro Brisbane, we are dedicated to helping you regain control. Our experienced team looks beyond just the symptoms to find the physical triggers that may be making your migraines worse. Whether it’s through gentle adjustments, dry needling, or rehabilitation exercises, we are here to support your journey back to a clearer, pain-free life.

Book your appointment online with Our Chiro Brisbane today or call 0732570399

References

Video Transcript

A question that we often get asked at the clinic is how can chiropractic help with migraines? So migraines are obviously quite debilitating condition. And depending on the individual and how their migraines present, we would tailor treatment to that individual patient. Usually migraines are a multi faceted approach. So you might have a neurologist or a GP providing medication. And you would have us helping with the physical side of things. So migraine patients typically have a lot of neck tension. They might be grinding their jaw. But also the main thing is obviously the headache. So we want to do things to help reduce the pain from the headache, or try and help them to not occur as much as they normally would. So we will do some techniques such as dry needling, some adjustments up around the cervical spine, through the thoracic spine, some muscle work such as active muscle release technique or trigger point therapy. We can use some taping methods such as kinesio taping or rigid taping. So there’s a lot of different techniques we will use. And again depends on the patient themselves and also the type of migraine that presents.