Migraine Research
Chiropractic treatment is effective for Headaches and Migraines. Research shows that it is both safer and more effective than painkillers.
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Migraine Variants and Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractors know that there are many forms of migraines variants. This is why your case history must be thorough. A correct diagnosis can take time, as serious conditions must be ruled out before a migraine diagnosis is made.
Below, we explain some less common migraine variants. If you want to learn about the more common types, visit our Chiropractic and Migraines page.
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Childhood Migraine
This migraine variant is short-lived but intense. It often starts suddenly with pale skin, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes blurred vision.
Dizziness, spinning sensations, or abdominal pain (abdominal migraine) can be more severe than the headache itself—especially in children under 10, where headache is rarely the main symptom.
Physical activity often triggers the onset. In children, attacks usually last 15–20 minutes and are followed by complete recovery.
Vasospastic Migraine (otherwise known as Hemiplegic)
This migraine can be alarming. Other conditions must be ruled out before diagnosis.
In severe cases, symptoms start with one-sided visual disturbance. Weakness and numbness on the same side often follow, along with a severe headache. Sleeping usually resolves symptoms completely.
Another form begins with tingling in the hand, lips, and tongue on one side, spreading to the face and causing numbness. Some people also struggle with speech and feel heaviness in one limb. These attacks develop over about 10 minutes, last 15–30 minutes, and resolve quickly. A headache may not occur.
Cluster Headache
Cluster headaches start rapidly. They often begin with tingling near one eye and nostril, then escalate to intense pain—often described as feeling like a hot poker in the eye. The affected side’s nose may run, and the eye becomes bloodshot.
Attacks often wake patients at night, happening at the same times—commonly 1 am, 4 am, and 7 am. They last from 30 minutes to 2 hours and are more common in men.
Cluster headaches occur daily for 6–12 weeks, forming a “cluster.” They often return at the same time each year. Misdiagnosis is common because the pain is so intense that it is mistaken for other conditions. When diagnosed correctly, medication can be highly effective.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
Chiropractic treatment can address many contributing factors and after-effects of migraines and headaches. This may include:
Improving neck mobility
Reducing muscle tension in the neck, upper back, and shoulders
Correcting postural issues that may contribute to migraines and tension headaches