Migraines are a debilitating interruption in day-to-day life that affect millions of people every year. Unlike a normal tension headache, a migraine has the power to cause vision problems, nausea and balance impairments. Unfortunately, there is no single known cause of migraine headaches, although there are certain lifestyle and health factors that can trigger them.

Some of the most common migraine triggers are foods, such as chocolate, caffeine, dairy, MSG and alcohol. For some, strong fragrances or loud noises may trigger the headaches. Still further, simple lifestyle habits, such as sleep habits, stress levels and exercise habits may contribute to a recurring migraine. It is important to keep in mind, however, that migraine triggers are different for everybody and may be associated with any environmental stimulus or an underlying health condition.

At our Carlsbad wellness center, we address the health of the whole body, rather than just treat a symptom. Many people associate chiropractic care with treatment for back pain or neck pain, failing to realize that it has an effect on the body's overall wellness and can also be a beneficial way of treating migraine patients. For most people, a migraine is not the problem, but instead a symptom of another health condition.

Chiropractors often discover that a recurrent migraine is the result of a misalignment in the neck or back - perhaps caused by poor posture, strenuous activity or an old untreated sports or auto accident injury. When migraine patients first visit us, we examine the spine and neck and ask a number of questions about lifestyle habits. Once we identify the root cause of the headache, we may recommend changes to diet, sleep or exercise habits, as well as use a variety of methods to gently remove pressure from the nerves in the back and neck, and return the spinal vertebrae to proper alignment.

Have you ever had a migraine? Was it a one-time occurrence or do you experience them often?