De-Mystifying Migraines: The Role of Chiropractic Neurology in Migraine Management
- Dr. Cristina Taglienti
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Approximately 19% of the U.S. population experiences migraines, with women disproportionately affected. June is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to explore what migraines really are—and dive into the science behind these often debilitating neurological events.
Understanding Migraines
When most people think of migraines, they picture extreme, incapacitating headaches accompanied by visual disturbances like auras. But that’s only part of the story. Migraines are a complex neurological disorder, triggered by abnormal brain activity that disrupts nerve signaling, chemical balances, and blood vessel function.
Imagine a migraine as a power surge in the brain’s control center—overloading circuits, flickering the lights, and interfering with everything from mood to movement. As a result of this internal surge or faulty wiring, individuals may experience symptoms such as intense, throbbing pain, nausea, and heightened sensitivity to light, sound, or smell—often along with visual disturbances.
While exact triggers vary from person to person, common culprits include stress, specific foods, hormonal fluctuations, weather changes, and inadequate sleep. For example, studies show that between 50% and 80% of people with migraines report stress as a key trigger (Verywell Mind, 2023; EatingWell, 2024). Even when stress alone isn't enough to provoke an attack, chronic stress can contribute to a cascade of other migraine-promoting factors—including poor sleep quality, muscle tension, and metabolic disruptions such as cortisol imbalances and blood sugar fluctuations (Time, 2023; Verywell Mind, 2023). This cumulative burden can lower the brain’s threshold for a migraine, making individuals more vulnerable to additional triggers like skipped meals, dehydration, or dietary sensitivities.
By developing a comprehensive understanding of migraines and how they affect the brain and body, you can take more effective, personalized steps to manage and reduce their impact.
What is Chiropractic Neurology?
Chiropractic neurology combines traditional chiropractic care with modern neuroscience principles. This approach focuses on disorders of the nervous system and musculoskeletal system to improve communication between the brain and body.
How Chiropractic Neurology Can Help with Migraines
Studies show that chiropractic care can be as effective as traditional migraine medications like propranolol or topiramate when it comes to prevention (Bryans et al., 2011). That’s exciting news—especially for people who want real relief without relying solely on pharmaceuticals.
As chiropractic neurologists, this gives us a powerful opportunity to address the root causes of migraines—gently and naturally. Instead of just masking symptoms, we look at how the brain, spine, muscles, vestibular system and sensory systems interact. Migraines are often the result of deeper neurological imbalances like cervicogenic tension, brainstem dysregulation, eye movement dysfunction, or poor sensorimotor integration.
Through highly personalized care plans that may include spinal adjustments, vestibular rehabilitation, soft tissue release, eye movement therapy, and neuroplasticity-based exercises, we help retrain the nervous system, improve brain resilience, and reduce the intensity and frequency of migraines—without medication.
And the research backs it up. One clinical trial found that vestibular rehabilitation—including gaze-stability, habituation, and balance training—significantly reduced both dizziness and headache frequency in patients with vestibular migraine (Koc & Akkılıc, 2021). These targeted therapies are especially effective for people whose migraines are triggered by motion, visual stimuli, or balance issues.
What to Expect in a Chiropractic Neurology Appointment
If you’re considering chiropractic neurology for migraine relief, your first visit is all about understanding your unique experience. We begin with a detailed conversation about your health history, migraine patterns, and potential triggers. Then, we conduct a series of hands-on neurological exams, functional assessments, and, when appropriate, use advanced diagnostic tools to gain a full picture of how your brain and nervous system are functioning.
This thorough evaluation helps us pinpoint areas of dysfunction—whether in eye movement control, balance and coordination systems, spinal alignment, or brain-body communication—that may be contributing to your migraines.
From there, we craft a personalized treatment plan designed specifically for your needs. This may include spinal adjustments, eye or vestibular rehabilitation exercises, brain-based therapies, and lifestyle coaching to help manage common triggers like diet, sleep habits, or stress.
Everyone responds differently. Some patients experience rapid improvement, while others require a more gradual, tailored approach. Our goal is to support your nervous system’s ability to heal and adapt—so you can experience fewer, less intense migraines and enjoy a better quality of life.
Embrace a Pain-Free Future
Living with migraines is undoubtedly challenging, but you don’t have to face it alone. Chiropractic neurology provides a holistic and approachable alternative to traditional pain management. By focusing on the relationship between the brain and body, chiropractic care can effectively reduce migraine frequency and severity.
If you're ready to start your journey toward a pain-free life, we invite you to schedule an exam with one of our highly skilled chiropractic neurologists. With the right support and a personalized treatment plan, lasting relief is possible. You don't have to live at the mercy of migraines—it's time to reclaim your days, your energy, and your joy.
Don’t let migraines define your story any longer. Discover what life can feel like with fewer headaches—and more freedom. Reach out today and take the first step toward lasting relief.
References
Alghadir, A. H., & Anwer, S. (2018). Effects of Vestibular Rehabilitation in the Management of a Vestibular Migraine: A Review. Frontiers in neurology, 9, 440. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2018.00440
Berg, J. (2023, September 26). The link between stress and migraines. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/the-link-between-stress-and-migraines-6742127
Bryans, R., Descarreaux, M., Duranleau, M., Marcoux, H., Potter, B., Ruegg, R., Shaw, L., Watkin, R., & White, E. (2011). Evidence-based guidelines for the chiropractic treatment of adults with headache. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 34(5), 274–289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2011.04.008
EatingWell Editors. (2024, January 3). Headache triggers that are more myth than truth. EatingWell. https://www.eatingwell.com/article/291256/headache-triggers-that-are-more-myth-than-truth/
Koc, Z. A., & Akkılıç, E. (2021). The effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation in patients with vestibular migraine. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 278(9), 3255–3261. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-021-06796-0
Park, A. (2023, August 28). 21 natural ways to prevent and treat headaches. TIME. https://time.com/23952/21-natural-ways-to-prevent-and-treat-headaches/
Tuchin, P. J., Pollard, H., & Bonello, R. (2000). A randomized controlled trial of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for migraine. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics, 23(2), 91–95.
Comments