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Migraine Treatment In Oxnard, CA

Migraine Chiropractor Oxnard CA Near Me

While headaches are a common problem worldwide, 50% of people report a headache yearly. This means that nearly 1 in 4 U.S. households includes someone who suffers from migraine headaches. Healthcare and lost productivity costs associated with migraines are estimated to be as high as $36 billion annually in the U.S.

Migraine is a neurological disease with extremely incapacitating symptoms. Migraines are typically characterized by a severe throbbing recurring pain, usually on one side of the head. Attacks are often accompanied by one or more disabling symptoms: visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, extreme sensitivity to sound, light, touch, and smell, and tingling or numbness in the extremities or face. About 25% of migraine sufferers also have a visual disturbance called an aura, which usually lasts less than an hour. Migraine headaches typically last from 4-72 hours. It can be helpful to keep track of specific migraine triggers to avoid them in the future.

In our office, we focus on the mechanical and physical triggers that lead to migraines, but we can also help you with lifestyle changes for the other causes. If your headaches come from your spine not moving correctly or being out of alignment, they will not go away until you have addressed that issue. Finding the root cause of the problem is our specialty. We want to know where your migraines originate, whether it be the muscles, joints, discs, or something else.

How We Treat Migraines in Oxnard, CA

Comprehensive Consultation and Exam

Here at Kalani Total Health Center, we are committed to helping you overcome the pain and dysfunction challenging your happiness and well-being. We take pride in offering holistic solutions for you to navigate the path from pain and discomfort to experience the freedom and happiness you deserve.

When you come in with a migraine, we take a comprehensive history. We aim to fully understand what is going on with you and help you identify your short, medium, and long-term goals. If necessary, we will take X-rays onsite. If we determine that additional testing is warranted, we will refer you.

Following your initial visit, we will invite you back to share the results of any tests or X-rays and report our findings regarding your migraines. Then we will recommend and render service to remedy your migraines. Services can range from chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage, nutrition, or a combination of therapies. All of our recommendations are based on your goals and our findings.

Specific Chiropractic Care in Oxnard, CA

Subluxation is one of the leading causes of migraine headaches. Subluxation occurs when there is a misalignment, and the neck’s bones are not correctly moving, which puts pressure on the nerves. For many migraine sufferers, spinal manipulation is an effective migraine therapy. Regular chiropractic adjustments can help relieve acute and chronic neck discomfort, reducing the number of migraine headaches. If subluxation is causing your migraines, they will not improve until the misalignment is corrected.

Massage Therapy and Soft Tissue Work

Massage therapy is a great choice to combat migraines. Massage therapy helps relieve tension and loosen tight muscles allowing the spine to move properly. Head massages are effective for migraine relief as tension relief often occurs immediately during the massage session. Using massage in conjunction with chiropractic adjustments promotes the production of serotonin, which lifts mood and relieves the pain of migraine headaches.

Migraine triggers vary from person to person; however, massage therapy is a viable option to manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is very effective in treating migraines. Acupuncture helps to bring the body back into balance by stimulating pressure points and nerves, which relieves migraine symptoms.

Acupuncture helps to:

  • Reduce muscle tension
  • Stimulate the release of endorphins to promote feelings of well-being and naturally reduce pain
  • Reduce inflammation and modulate the chemicals in the brain that promote the narrowing of blood vessels which helps alleviate migraine symptoms
  • Reduce stress by regulating hormone levels since an imbalance in the brain’s serotonin levels is linked to the onset of migraines
  • Reduce the production of pain-promoting hormones

Common Triggers of Migraines in Oxnard, CA

Stress

Stress is a trigger for almost 70% of people with migraines. Stress that triggers migraines can result from regular day-to-day events like a high-pressure job or long commute. However, stress that triggers migraines can also result from happy events, like having a baby, buying a new home, or planning a wedding—compounding any of the above stressors with the worry of when the next migraine attack will strike makes for an exhausting cycle.

Don’t let stress get out of control. Take these steps to manage and prevent it:

  • Eat healthy – add more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your diet
  • Exercise – make time each day to move your body
  • Get enough sleep each night – when you sleep well, your body and mind can recharge to face the day ahead
  • Meditate

The key is to identify what causes stress and work to manage it to minimize your chance of experiencing migraines.

Changes in quality of sleep

Studies have shown that poor sleep quality makes migraines worse. Migraine sufferers always report poor quality of sleep. When we speak of sleep quality, we are not referring to how long you sleep but how well you sleep.

Do you have trouble falling asleep?
Do you have problems staying asleep?
Do you have problems waking up early or feeling restless?

The important thing to remember is that sleep renews and repairs all body parts, including the brain. Make sure your sleeping position isn’t putting undue stress on your neck or spine.

Hormones

Fluctuation in hormones, including estrogen, is another common migraine trigger. Women are 3x more likely to have a migraine. In fact, 85% of chronic migraine sufferers are women. Changes in lifestyle and diet can help to manage hormonal imbalances that may result in migraines.

Caffeine and Alcohol

Migraine symptoms can spike after consuming caffeine or alcohol. Caffeine withdrawal can also be a culprit, so finding the right balance is critical. This happens because caffeine directly affects chemicals in the brain that have been linked to the onset of migraines.

Alcohol contains histamine, and alcohol consumption encourages your body to produce more. Overproduction of histamine boosts inflammation throughout your body. Combine this inflammatory reaction with ethanol, alcohol’s main ingredient, and it is converted into a chemical that triggers migraines.

Dehydration

1/3 of people say dehydration is a trigger for migraine headaches. Your body needs a certain amount of minerals and fluids to work its best. You must replace minerals like potassium and sodium throughout the day as your body loses fluids. You usually eat and drink to get those minerals. When you don’t replace these fluids and minerals, dehydration sets in, causing a migraine.

Light and Smell

Photophobia (sensitivity to light)

Light and other visual stimuli – like bright sunlight, natural light, fluorescent light, or even flickering light bulbs – can trigger migraine attacks and exacerbate the pain of migraine headaches.

Osmophobia (sensitivity to smell)

Specific odors that trigger migraine attacks include perfumes, cigarette smoke, motor vehicle exhaust, cleaning products, and certain foods. This extra sensitivity to smell is due to increased activation of specific scent and pain receptors in the brain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can your neck being out of alignment cause migraines?

Yes. Subluxation is one of the top contributing factors to migraine headaches.

Are migraines bad for the brain?

Yes. If left untreated research suggests that migraines can cause lesions on the brain.

Is massage good for migraines?

Yes, massage is an excellent way to manage migraine headaches. Massage promotes relaxation, reduces tension, and promotes the production of serotonin in the brain.

What is the quickest way to get rid of a migraine?

Hot packs and warm showers help relieve the tension of migraine attacks.

What is the most effective treatment for migraines?

Chiropractic treatment is an effective choice for managing migraine headaches. Keeping the neck and spine in alignment reduces the chance of migraines dramatically.

What food should I avoid during a migraine?

Avoid caffeine, alcohol, food preservatives, and cured meat. These are all common migraine triggers.

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