Migraines: Patterns, Triggers and Where Chiropractic Fits

If you get migraines, you know they're not "just a headache". It can mean a day in a dark room with the curtains drawn, a cancelled shift, or missing your kid's game because you can't face the light and noise. And the worry about when the next one will hit can be almost as draining as the migraine itself.

This article covers what migraines are, common triggers, and how chiropractic care may fit as one part of a broader plan, alongside your GP.

What makes a migraine different

A migraine is a neurological condition, not simply a bad headache. Common features include:

Moderate to severe throbbing pain, often on one side of the head
Nausea or vomiting
Sensitivity to light, sound or smells
An "aura" for some people: visual changes like zigzag lines or blind spots before the pain starts
Feeling washed out for a day or so afterwards

Migraines can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. If you haven't had your migraines diagnosed by a GP, that's the first step.

Common triggers

Triggers are different for everyone, and often it's a combination rather than one thing. Common ones include:

Stress, or the let-down after a stressful period
Changes in sleep, including sleeping in on weekends
Skipped meals or dehydration
Hormonal changes, such as around a period
Alcohol, caffeine changes, and some foods
Bright or flickering light, strong smells, and weather changes
Neck and shoulder tension, often from long hours at a desk

Tracking your pattern

One of the most useful things you can do is keep a migraine diary for a couple of months. Note when each migraine starts, how long it lasts, what you'd eaten, how you slept, your stress levels and, if relevant, where you are in your cycle. Bring it to your GP and your chiropractor. It turns guesswork into something you can actually act on.

Where chiropractic care may fit

Chiropractic care isn't a replacement for medical management of migraines. It may be a helpful addition for some people, particularly where neck tension, posture and muscle tightness seem to be part of the picture.

At your first visit, your chiropractor will take a thorough history, review any diagnosis and medication from your GP, and examine your neck, upper back and posture. If they think they can help, they'll explain why and what's involved. Care may include:

Gentle adjustments or mobilisation for the neck and upper back
Soft tissue work for the neck, shoulders and jaw
Exercises to improve posture and neck strength
Advice on sleep, workstation setup and managing known triggers

The research on chiropractic care for migraine is still developing. Some studies suggest manual therapy may help some people, but results vary and the evidence isn't conclusive. Your chiropractor will be honest about that and will check in on how you're tracking.

When to get urgent help

Seek urgent medical care if you have:

A sudden, severe "thunderclap" headache
Your first-ever migraine-like headache after age 50
Weakness, numbness, slurred speech or confusion that's new or different to your usual aura
Headache with fever, stiff neck or rash
A headache after a head injury

Book an assessment

If migraines are taking days away from your work, family or sport, it's worth looking at every piece of the puzzle. Read more about migraine care at Vitality Chiropractic, or book online at our Yokine clinic.

This article is general information only and isn't a substitute for individual advice from a registered health practitioner.