Migraine Headaches Resolved Under Chiropractic Care

The Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research published the results of a case study on September 21, 2020, documenting the resolution of chronic migraine headaches in a patient undergoing chiropractic care. Chronic migraines are migraines that occur more frequently for a period of at least three months.

On their website, the Cleveland Clinic describes headaches by saying, "A migraine headache is a type of headache that tends to recur and causes moderate to severe pain. The pain is often described as throbbing or pulsing and usually begins on one side of the head. Migraine headaches are worsened by physical activity, light, sound, or physical movement. The pain typically last from 4 hours up to 3 days."

The Cleveland Clinic also reports that, "The National Headache Foundation estimates that nearly 12% of the population experience migraine headaches. This means that nearly 40 million people in the United States have migraines. Women are about three times more likely than men to experience migraines."

In this case study, a 53-year-old woman was referred to a chiropractor by a neurologist for an evaluation of her upper neck. The woman had been experiencing migraine with aura for twelve years. She was suffering with migraines four days a week that would last 8 hours. The woman reported that the pain was sharp and radiating from her neck to her temporal areas. Additionally, the headaches were occurring with blurred vision, vomiting, nausea, grinding of teeth, spasm, tremors in jaw two–three times a day. Her symptoms were so severe that the woman would be bedridden for days and was unable to care for herself.

A specific chiropractic examination was performed focusing on the upper neck area. Special x-rays of the upper neck were also done. It was determined that there was a subluxation at the top of her neck and specific chiropractic adjustment procedures were started to address the upper neck area.

Immediately after her first chiropractic adjustment, the woman reported that she no longer had a headache, no blurred vision, no nausea, and no neck pain. She additionally noted that she no longer felt like a headache was coming on. After the first visit, the study reports that the woman remained free of migraines and neck pain.

After three months of chiropractic care, a re-evaluation was performed. At that time, the woman reported that she had been free of migraines since her first adjustment, she could rotate her neck without pain, she reported increased energy, improved clarity, and brightness in her vision.

In their conclusion, the study authors note that this woman was a medical failure and was sent to the chiropractor by her neurologist. They note that the woman had been suffering with her debilitating problems for 12 years. Once chiropractic was started, the woman became completely free of her migraines and the symptoms associated with her previous condition.