Migraine headaches that are left untreated can do so much more than cause severe pain. These attacks can cause aching, throbbing headaches and are often accompanied with other severe symptoms like nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound.
Individuals who suffer from severe migraines often deal with pain that can last between a few hours to a few days. They may have to stay home from work or school until the pain subsides.
While over-the-counter pain medication and prescription drugs can help reduce the pain associated with migraines, these treatment options can not permanently stop them from occurring. Plus, they are not always the most effective. There are many people who rely on pain medication daily to help with their migraine headaches, and those individuals would love to find a better alternative to taking so much medication.
Experts recently found a few preventative measures known to help eliminate migraine triggers, including regular exercise, reducing stress, or trying out chiropractic and craniosacral therapy.
Understanding the Difference Between a Standard Headache and a Migraine
It’s important to understand the difference between a standard headache and a migraine. A regular headache can be unpleasant as it causes pressure and aching in the head. They usually occur on both sides of the head. But sometimes they show up in specific areas such as the temples, forehead and the back of the neck. They generally last between 30 minutes to a few hours at a time.
The most common type of headache is a tension headache, however there are actually several different types. A traditional headache will often subside after taking an over-the-counter painkiller. In most cases, prescription medication isn’t needed.
Migraine headaches are more severe than traditional headaches. And they often have additional symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, pain behind one ear or eye, pain in the temples, sensitivity to light and sound, temporary vision loss, seeing spots or flashing lights.
Some individuals experience pain so severe with migraines that they end up in their local emergency room. While migraines usually just effect one side of the head, it is possible to have a migraine that causes pain on both sides. The pain and throbbing from a migraine headache often make performing everyday tasks very difficult.
How Can Chiropractic Care and Craniosacral Therapy Help with Migraines?
If you are looking for a non-medicated way to treat your severe migraine headaches, you should consider chiropractic treatment or craniosacral therapy.
Relief from Migraines with Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic treatment works on the body’s alignment and focuses on the spine. It can improve your body’s function and mobility, while it alleviates pain and allows your body to heal naturally. Recent studies have shown that chiropractic treatment can help with managing migraine symptoms including intensity of the pain, migraine frequency, and duration. Patients who participated in the study also showed signs of a better quality of life after receiving chiropractic treatment.
How Craniosacral Therapy Can Help with Migraine Relief
Among some of the most popular alternative treatment for migraines is craniosacral therapy or CST. This technique was initially developed in the 1970’s by Dr. John Upledger, an osteopathic practitioner and also the co-founder of the Upledger Institute located in Florida.
Craniosacral therapy is a form of gentle, effective care which involves the therapist lightly touching the spine, skull, and pelvis area to manipulate the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. This aids in primary respiration which is believed to relieve stress that could trigger migraine headaches as well as other severe types of pain.
Those who work with CST contend that the cerebrospinal fluids add pressure to your skull. This causes small yet rhythmic movements of the cranial bones. By lightly touching these areas, a craniosacral therapy practitioner can detect these small movements and relieve pressure in an effort to correct any imbalance that is present. This works to relieve stress and tension that is associated with various types of pain, including tension and stress that triggers migraines.
What to Expect from a Craniosacral Therapy Session
A craniosacral therapy session usually lasts between 45 minutes and one hour. This gentle, effective care method is performed while the patient is completely clothed. The craniosacral therapy practitioner uses light touch which is described as being no more than the weight of a nickel to monitor the rhythm of the individual’s cerebrospinal fluid. This allows them to detect possible imbalances and restrictions.
Next, the therapist will use various techniques to release their patient’s problem areas. This helps to alleviate the pressure on the spinal cord as well as the brain. By doing this, craniosacral therapy can lessen the level of pain caused by migraines. It can also help alleviate pain associated with other common health conditions such as scoliosis or fibromyalgia.
What Can Craniosacral Therapy Be Used For?
Aside from helping alleviate pain associated with migraine headaches, craniosacral therapy can also be used for treating the following physical and psychological conditions.
- TMJ
- Back Pain
- Colic
- Chronic Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Neck Pain
- PTSD
- Fibromyalgia
- Concussions
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Scoliosis
- Stress
The Benefits of Craniosacral Therapy
There are many benefits to taking part in craniosacral therapy. One of the main uses for this alternative to pain medication is the level of healing it provides. This therapy can help to relieve the pain and discomfort associated with a broad range of illnesses and disorders. This includes chronic pain, head and neck pain, TMJ dysfunction, central nervous system disorders, seizure disorders, hormonal imbalances, and chronic sinusitis, just to name a few.
CST can also help to improve the overall function and performance of the autonomic nervous system. Doing so allows the body to effectively respond to stress in a positive manner without allowing it to drag the individual down.
This therapy has also been known to help improve immune system function, which can aid in preventing serious illnesses. It can improve mobility and function by releasing tissue and bone restrictions, alleviate pain, improve energy levels, reduce tension, and provide the patient with a sense of relaxation and well-being by gently touching and massing the craniosacral system.
What is the Craniosacral System?
CST sessions have been highly successful with treating headaches and other related issues such as TMJ, stress, and nervous system disorders.
During a craniosacral therapy session, you can learn to decrease the restrictions of craniosacral flow. These restrictions can often lead to pain, illness or dysfunction. CST offers a holistic and gentle, hands-on technique to eliminating pain. The craniosacral therapy practitioner will create subtle movements along the cranium and sacrum, using ancient techniques that date back thousands of years.
The craniosacral system is the area that covers the cranium to the sacrum. This includes the spinal column, the various structures of the brain, the spinal cord, and the large network of nerves that branch out from the spinal cord. It also includes the connective tissue that is between the bones in our vertebral column and the cerebrospinal fluid.
What to Expect Following Your Craniosacral Therapy Session
Following your craniosacral therapy session, you can expect to feel different, relaxed or refreshed. However, there are some individuals who have also reported that they feel tired after a session, which is completely normal also.
It is advised that you avoid any type of exertion, including jerking or wrenching motions that would place a strain on your spinal system following your treatment to guarantee optimal results. During your session, your body experienced soft tissue release and realignment. And you will need time to become adjusted to this new posture. Taking part in strenuous activity following CST treatment could do more harm than good. Therefore you should give yourself at least two days to relax and settle into your new sense of balance. Take this time to pamper yourself and allow your body to finish processing the treatment.
It is recommended that you drink plenty of water during this time since many body chemicals have been moved around in your body. It’s likely that some toxins were released during the process and your body will need to flush them out to improve your overall well-being.
For up to three days following your treatment, you will be aware of your body processing various changes that happened during treatment. Be aware that you may experience various emotions that come up unexpectedly. It is normal to endure a new level of awareness that is coming to surface. This should only last for a short time, but you should try to avoid making any major decisions until after it passes.
About Dr. Alex Kaminsky
Chiropractor Dr. Alex Kaminsky’s approach to helping his patients live a pain-free lifestyle has evolved and improved over the years. He understands that as a doctor, you must stay open-minded and constantly learn about new techniques. By continuing to read, learn, and gain more experience in the field, Dr. Kaminsky can offer the latest and very best chiropractic and craniosacral therapy options to his patients.
Contact Dr. Kaminsky Today for Chiropractic Care and Craniosacral Therapy
If you are currently living with the pain and suffering associated with migraine headaches, it is time to take charge of your life. You no longer have to live with the damaging symptoms associated with migraines, or stay dependent on potentially harmful pain medication. Thanks to alternatives like chiropractic and craniosacral therapy, you can begin to live a pain-free life through gentle and soothing ancient techniques.
If you have questions about the benefits of craniosacral therapy and how it can help you find relief from migraine pain, contact Chiropractor Dr. Alex Kaminsky today to set up your initial appointment. Dr. Kaminsky holds many years of experience in the field, and is highly knowledgeable in this therapeutic approach to pain relief. To schedule your appointment today, call 1-212-328-1180. You can also email Dr. Kaminsky to find out more about the chiropractic and craniosacral therapy options available to you.
