Tens of millions of people suffer from migraine headaches in the United States, with migraines affecting women more so than men. Additionally, migraines tend to manifest as people get older, again, with a focus on women. Although common, migraines are unique in that the cause of painful migraine can vary from person to person. Examples of such causes include, among others, sleep-deprivation, weather changes, stress or anxiety, muscle tension or stiffness, prior head or neck injuries, and hormone imbalances.
What Are Migraine Headaches?
Migraines, like other headaches, produce a substantial amount of pain. The pain associated with migraine headaches is often one-sided, behind the eyes, or in the back of the head. Additionally, migraine headaches produce non-painful symptoms that include visual disturbances, nausea or vomiting, sensitivity to light, and dizziness.
Hormonal Imbalances And Migraine Headaches
Fluctuation in hormone levels has been linked to the prevalence of migraine headaches in women. Hormone levels adjust throughout a woman’s menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause, while using contraceptives, and while undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The hormones our bodies produce are just part of the puzzle. Things that mimic hormones in our environment, specifically estrogen, are extremely common. Some sources are BPA in plastics, pesticides/herbicides, cosmetics, and birth control pills just to name a few. Medications may alleviate migraine headaches caused or triggered by a fluctuation in hormone levels, however, such medications only mask the symptoms and do not address the underlying issue – hormonal imbalances or toxicities.
Chiropractic Treatment For Hormonal Imbalances And Migraine Headaches
Despite advances in modern medicine, far too many people continue to suffer from migraines each year. Because prescription and over-the-counter pain medications have limitations and don’t address the root cause, migraine sufferers have turned to other options for alleviating the symptoms associated with migraines. Chiropractic care and functional medicine is one area of medicine that helps migraine sufferers cope with symptoms and find ways to reduce the frequency of migraine headaches in the future. A few chiropractic treatments that may help those with migraines include the following:
• Chiropractic Adjustments
• Internal Balance
• Muscle Work
• Postural Retraining
Traditional treatment for a hormone imbalance may involve a patient taking hormones, which, like pain medication, may help to mask the problem, but does nothing to address the underlying issue – why there is a hormonal imbalance in the first place? Chiropractic visits are intended to identify:
- whether a potential hormone imbalance is causing or contributing to cause migraine headaches
- what specific chiropractic treatments may help to balance hormones
- what specific chiropractic treatments may help to reduce the instance and severity of migraine headache symptoms
Because a hormonal imbalance may be only one piece of the puzzle when addressing migraine headaches, it is crucial to consider all contributing factors including stress levels, sleep patterns, food and drink choices, prior physical injuries affecting the head, neck, or back and more.
Contact Active Edge Chiropractic & Functional Medicine for a Health Consultation
Debilitating headaches and migraines can be life-altering. If you suffer from headaches or migraines, consider how Active Edge Chiropractic & Functional Medicine may be able to help you. To find out more, contact our office today to schedule your health consultation by calling (614) 407-5335.
