Chiropractic Care for Migraine Headaches in Aurora, IL

Dec. 14, 2010 - PRLog -- Chiropractic care is an excellent option for treatment for patients suffering with migraine headaches.  Chiropractors offer fast, effective, lasting relief from migraine symptoms without the use of harmful medications or invasive procedures.  Dr Collin Dolan of Dolan Family Chiropractic combines chiropractic adjustments, muscle work, stretching, and nutrition to get great results for his patients in the Aurora and Naperville areas of Aurora.  The following is a brief explanation of possible causes of migraine headaches and natural treatments available to help you get back to living a normal life free from headaches.  
    Migraine headaches consists of pain in the head that is typically recurring and one sided.  The pain is graded moderate to severe and is described as throbbing or pulsatile in nature.  The symptoms can last from hours to days and can be accompanied by other symptoms including nausea (80%), vomiting (50%), sensitivity to light and sound, dizziness, and muscle pain.  They are commonly classified into two major categories: Migraine with aura (classic migraine) and migraine without aura (common migraine).  Classic migraines make up about 20% of all migraines. The aura is a nervous system reaction that can include sensory, auditory, visual, and olfactory symptoms that are typically followed by a headache within 1-2 hours, although it can proceed headaches by as much as 1-2 days.  Females are affected by migraines more than males and there has been genetic ties made to migraines especially in females in the same family.  Headaches usually begin with puberty and can last throughout a lifetime.  There are many theories about possible causes including environmental and dietary triggers, vascular constriction and dilation, and imbalances of the autonomic nervous system.  Triggers can include stress, tension, physical activity, hormonal changes like in menstruation, menopause, and puberty, changes in blood sugar levels, and certain foods.  Foods that are most closely linked to triggering migraines include citrus, coffee, tea, alcohol, niacin, and tyramine rich foods like red wine, cheese, chocolate, and nuts.  Processed foods and foods with MSG or other preservatives have also been linked to migraines and should be avoided if possible.  Certain medications that involve estrogen and vasodilators can be causes and seasonal and food allergies can trigger migraine headaches as well.  
    Chiropractors treat migraine headaches very effectively.  Chiropractic adjustments help to realign the spine, reduce muscle spasm, and help to normalize the autonomic nervous system which in turn regulates vascular constriction and dilation.  Soft tissue muscle therapy including myofascial release and trigger point therapy helps to control muscle tension and spasm and relieve stress from the cervical spine and head.  Hot pack therapy helps to relieve stress and tension and help normalize vasomotor activity.  It is very important to identify possible triggers in a patient's history using diaries to chart diet, stress levels, medications, environmental interactions, and migraine history to link together possible causes.  Once identified, patients must avoid triggers and find alternatives to necessary exposures.  Supplementation can be very helpful in treating migraine headaches including calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, omega-3 fish oils, riboflavinoids, and 5-hydroxy-tryptophan.  Patients should never take a nutritional supplement without consulting a medical professional due to possible interactions with medications or diet requirements.  
     
Learn more about migraine headache treatment and our chiropractic services in Aurora and Naperville IL here:  
http://www.dolanchiro.com/pages/Treatments/Chiropractic.html
 

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    Dolan Family Chiropractic has proudly served the Aurora and Naperville areas of Illinois for years.  They offer chiropractic care, physical therapy, nutritional assessments, stretching, rehabilitation, therapeutic exercise, and custom-made foot orthotics for patients of all ages. Visit our website at http://www.aurora-chiropractor.com  to view a full list of our available services and learn how chiropractic can help you.

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Dolan Family Chiropractic is located in Aurora,IL on the corner of Eola Rd and Indian Trail in the Jewel Shopping Center. We offer quality chiropractic care for the whole family. Get the care and attention you deserve from a family owned office!