Migraine sufferers recognize the painful beginnings of these headaches which can leave them incapacitated. More women are now visiting chiropractors for drug-free migraine headache relief. Migraines are more common in women and are caused by the vascular system causing constriction and then dilation in the brain. The onset is notable because of prodromal symptoms which can be anything from visual floaters or other visual disturbances to tinnitus and other strange sensations before the onset of the headache. Migraine is not attributed to a single specific cause but various environmental factors and genetics play a role. Further, many risk factors have been identified: Family history Aging Emotional anxiety Environmental factors such as changes in weather or altitude Abnormal structures in the brain Imbalance in brain chemicals such as serotonin Hormonal changes in women Certain foods or food additives can act as triggers Alcohol consumption Stress Changes in sleep patterns Medications such as contraceptive pills A recent study showed that women who had visited chiropractors for the management of their headaches began to understand how their body mechanics and muscular tension played a large role in their migraines. This was quite different from their other doctors' approaches, which usually involved tests, costly medications, and their side effects. The women in the study discovered that chiropractic care was much more than manipulation of the spine and that their doctor-patient relationship was a valuable tool in helping them get natural relief from their migraines. Chiropractors manage migraines using methods such as Holistic history and examination to fully understand the migraine and other factors that are unique to this patient. Manipulation of the spine and extremities to improve how the patient moves. Soft tissue manipulation to relieve tension which is often the source of migraines. Cranial bone alignment can be a cause of chronic migraines. Evaluation and management of the jaw which is a known trigger of migraines. Exercises that can improve muscle tone and resolve problematic movement patterns that cause tension at the base of the skull Check out the synopsis below Perceptions of Chiropractic Care Among Women With Migraine: A Qualitative Substudy Using a Grounded-Theory Framework Julie P. Connor, BS Carolyn Bernstein, MD * Karen Kilgore, PhD Kamila Osypiuk, MS Matthew Kowalski, DC * Peter M. Wayne, PhD * Published: January 09, 2021DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2020.07.001 Objective The purpose of this study was to characterize expectations, attitudes, and experiences of individuals with migraines who were randomly assigned to receive chiropractic care delivered within a randomized controlled trial in a hospital-based integrative care center. Methods This qualitative substudy was conducted as a part of a 2-arm pilot pragmatic randomized controlled trial investigating a multimodal model of chiropractic care for women with episodic migraine (4-13 migraines per month). Women were randomly assigned to chiropractic care (10 sessions over 14 weeks) plus enhanced usual care vs enhanced usual care alone. Semistructured interviews were conducted at baseline and 14-week follow-up with 15 randomly selected participants from the 29 participants randomized to the chiropractic group. Qualitative analysis was performed by 2 independent reviewers using a constant comparative method of analysis for generating grounded theory. Read more