If you are a migraine sufferer in Ames you know just how painful and debilitating it can be when a migraine takes hold. Not everyone has exactly the same experience, but pain is usually the main feature. One migraine headache has the potential to completely ruin your day, but there are some tips from a Ames chiropractor you can follow to help make it a little easier.

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What Is a Migraine?

If you’ve been diagnosed with migraines it means you get headaches that last from between 4 and 72 hours with pain that is rated moderate to severe. In order to be classified as a migraine the headache must have two of the following characteristics:

• Moderate to severe pain
• Unilateral location
• Pulsating pain
• Made worse by normal activity like walking

It must also have at least one of the following:

• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Nausea and/or vomiting

Once you’ve had five attacks with these criteria and the headaches aren’t attributed to a more serious health condition, you’ll be diagnosed as a migraine sufferer. Roughly 28 million people in the United States suffer from migraines and about three out of four are female. Many migraine sufferers will see auras in their field of vision before a migraine comes on.

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Helpful Prevention Tips

It’s not always possible to prevent migraines, but if you have any known triggers it’s wise to stay away from them. Some common headache triggers include certain foods, bright lights, loud noises, certain scents, lack of sleep, dehydration, high levels of stress, and poor posture. If you notice that a migraine comes on or auras are triggered by one of the above factors, do your best to avoid it and see if your migraine frequency is reduced. Visiting a Ames chiropractic clinic for treatment can also be an effective preventative measure.

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Chiropractic Treatment for Migraines

Spinal adjustments that are designed to relieve pressure and stress on your body, are one of the primary chiropractic treatments for migraine headaches. Your spine is full of nerves, bones, blood vessels, tendons, muscles, and ligaments and when your discs are not in alignment it can cause a host of problems.

Once the problem is addressed from a variety of different angles, you’ll be able to enjoy fewer episodes and reduce likely amount of pain medication you usually take. With ongoing treatment and care from a Ames chiropractic doctor, you may be able to eliminate your migraines altogether.

Our team at Elev8 Chiropractic in Ames is here to help. Please call us if you have any further questions or would like to schedule an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you.