Headaches / Migraines

Migraines and Headaches can be incapacitating. Many think having a headache is just a normal part of life, but it is not!

Many years ago I was the owner of a chiropractic office and the number one symptom patients were seen consisted of back pain or headaches. During this time, we primarily focused on the subluxation as the cause for most headaches.  The Olive Leaf continues to refer to chiropractors for treatment of many conditions, including headaches and migraines.  We believe there is a multi-faceted approach to treating any health condition.

A number of factors may trigger migraines, including:

  • Hormonal changes in women. Fluctuations in estrogen seem to trigger headaches in many women. Women with a history of migraines often report headaches immediately before or during their periods, when they have a major drop in estrogen.
  • Others have an increased tendency to develop migraines during pregnancy or menopause.
  • Hormonal medications, such as oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, also may worsen migraines. Some women, however, find their migraines occur less often when taking these medications.
  • Foods. Aged cheeses, salty foods and processed foods may trigger migraines. Skipping meals or fasting also can trigger attacks.
  • Food additives. The sweetener aspartame and the preservative monosodium glutamate (MSG), found in many foods, may trigger migraines.
  • Drinks. Alcohol, especially wine, and highly caffeinated beverages may trigger migraines.
  • Stress. Stress at work or home can cause migraines.
  • Sensory stimuli. Bright lights and sun glare can induce migraines, as can loud sounds. Strong smells — including perfume, paint thinner, secondhand smoke and others — can trigger migraines in some people.
  • Changes in wake-sleep pattern. Missing sleep or getting too much sleep may trigger migraines in some people, as can jet lag.
  • Physical factors. Intense physical exertion, including sexual activity, may provoke migraines.
  • Changes in the environment. A change of weather or barometric pressure can prompt a migraine.
  • Medications. Oral contraceptives and vasodilators, such as nitroglycerin, can aggravate migraines.

First Steps:

If a patient has not had medical care, the first item to address is to rule out any underlying disease process which may be contributing to the condition. This is done by seeing a specialist, such as a neurologist who will prescribe an MRI or other diagnostic testing to rule out anything that may be very serious.  The second is to look at the migraine or headache from a structural perspective and see if there is a subluxation present that can be blocking nerve flow to the area which can inhibiting function. You do this by visiting your Chiropractor or if you do not have one we will be happy to refer you to one. Last but still very important is to look at the nutritional component to see if there are any factors which can be contributing to migraines or headaches.

The Olive Leaf provides the following if needed:

Once information is gathered, a specific protocol will be provided regarding nutrient recommendations and lifestyle modifications. The Olive Leaf fosters a relationship between your current medical provider, as well as your chiropractic provider to ensure you are receiving the best care possible for your health condition.

To set up a consultation for you are your loved one you can schedule below…