Migraines A Costly Epidemic

Migraines affect nearly 12% of the American population and are the 3rd most prevalent illness in the world. It is a burden on the United States healthcare system costing $5.4 billion to treat in 2015. It has also led to lost productivity due to lost work days and cost companies an estimated $13 billion each year. According to the Migraine Research Foundation, “although 25% of sufferers would benefit from preventive treatment, only 12% of all sufferers receive it.”

Causes of Migraines

There is no one cause for migraine headaches although genetics and environmental factors could play a role. However, the final common pathway for migraines and other headaches is currently reported to be neurogenic inflammation which releases neuropeptides from trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve 5) neurons to local blood vessels, dura mater, and pia mater in the brain and spinal cord. Imbalances in brain chemicals like serotonin may also contribute to this pathway.

Signs and Symptoms of Migraines

Patients usually present with one-sided head pain that is described as severe throbbing pain. They may also have additional complaints of visual disturbances, sensitivity to light, periodic recurrence, chronicity, and positive family history. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can also be common complaints.

Medical Treatments Options

Common medical treatments usually involve avoidance of known triggers and prophylactic or symptomatic drug treatments. Over-the-counter drugs like Ibuprofen, Aspirin, or Tylenol are used to help decrease the symptoms associated with migraines. Prescription medications like Triptan or nerve pain medications are also used to help relieve migraine attacks. However, these drugs may have some side effects that include stomach upset, rash, swelling, liver damage, blood in stool, dizziness, and tingling.

Natural Treatment Options

There are a number of natural and safe options for the prevention and treatment of migraines. These include:

Chiropractic adjustments to the cervical spine

Myofascial trigger point therapy to cervical and upper back muscles

Food allergy elimination diet

Fish oil supplementation (3,000 mg of EPA/DHA) + GLA/ALA

Magnesium (200-400 mg) + Vitamin B6 (100-250 mg)

Vitamin D3 (4,000 I/U per day)

Ginger

CoQ10 (100-400 mg)

Multivitamin + Multimineral

Feverfew

Melatonin

Lifestyle modifications like alkalinizing the body

Our Approach to Treating Migraines

At Soma Chiro & Functional Medicine, we treat migraines by addressing both the physical and chemical triggers.

To address the physical triggers, we use gentle chiropractic adjustments to the cervical spine and targeted myofascial trigger point therapy to tight cervical musculature. This helps relieve tension and stress to the cervical spine.

To address the chemical triggers, we initially recommend an elimination diet that includes eliminating dairy, gluten/wheat, sugar, yeast, coffee/tea, beef, chocolate, and corn. We then recommend a modified paleo-mediterranean diet which helps to “alkalinize” the body.

Finally, we carry clinical-grade supplements in our office that includes effective combinations of the above vitamins and herbs. By addressing both the physical and chemical triggers of migraines we can help prevent and relieve migraines effectively with fewer risks and side effects than drugs alone.