Chiropractor for Migraines in Perth

What is a migraine?

A migraine is more than a bad headache. It's a neurological condition, and attacks can last from a few hours to a few days. Common signs include:

• A throbbing or pulsing pain, often on one side of the head
• Sensitivity to light, sound or smells
• Nausea or vomiting
• Visual changes before the pain starts, often called an aura
• Feeling drained or foggy for a day or so afterwards

Why it happens

Migraine triggers are personal, but the same ones come up again and again with people who work long hours at a desk:

• Stress, then the drop-off after stress (the classic weekend migraine)
• Poor or irregular sleep
• Skipped meals and not enough water
• Hours of screen time and bright light
• Neck and shoulder tension from posture and long periods sitting still
• Hormonal changes

The real cost: you

When I ask people about their migraines, most have normalised it. "I only get one or two a week." "It's just once a fortnight."

But the real cost isn't counted in migraines. It's counted in life. Time with your family, your friends and the people you love. The simple presence of being you, not sidetracked by the next attack.

It becomes real when other people notice. When your kids ask, "Daddy, are we going to kick the football today?" When they say, "That's okay, I know you've got a migraine. I know you can't play." Or when friends stop calling, because they expect you'll say no.

A note from Geoff

There are many possible triggers: food, stress, flashing lights, hormones, your desk set-up, and your neck and headaches progressing into something bigger. Often it's a combination. So we work through each one, like checking every point on a wheel, to find the ones that apply to you.

Over the years, I've found one area of the spine that I see again and again in people with migraines. It comes from my clinical experience, and it's my starting point: I look for it closely when I examine, when I adjust, and on X-rays where they're clinically justified. It's also why generic exercises and posture tips on their own often aren't enough.

I also give people four specific stretches, my trademark stretches, designed to ease tension in the neck and upper back. They're part of the Vitality Method.

Try this right now

Think back to your last few migraines. Did your neck, shoulders or the base of your skull feel tight beforehand? Did they follow long days at the screen, or a stressful week?

Now sit tall and slowly turn your head left, then right. Is one side tighter, or does it stop short? Those are clues, and they tell us where to start looking. I'd love to help you get to the bottom of it.

How we assess migraines

We start with your story: how often your migraines come, how long they last, your triggers, your medication history (we won't change it, that's your doctor's call), and what migraines are costing you.

Then we examine your neck, upper back, jaw and posture, and screen for warning signs that need medical review. You'll get a clear explanation of what we find and an honest opinion on whether chiropractic care is worth trying.

What your plan will include

Here's exactly what happens when you come to Vitality with migraines:

• A detailed consultation and clinical assessment
• Digital X-rays if clinically required, bulk billed with a valid Medicare card
• Specific adjustments to assess whether change is possible for you
• If change is possible, and it's what you want, a care plan built around you and your lifestyle
• Specific neck stretches and exercises, including my four trademark stretches
• Tools to support a healthy neck curve, and a pillow assessment
• Daily tips to improve your posture and help manage stress and tension

My promise to you

Some research suggests manual therapy may help some people reduce how often, or how strongly, migraines hit. The evidence is mixed, and results vary from person to person. That's why we work alongside your GP or neurologist, never instead of them.

Realistically, migraines can be hard to get rid of completely, and everyone is different. I won't promise your migraines will disappear. What I do promise is a thorough investigation, and an honest explanation of whether we can help. Seeing people get back to living their lives is the most rewarding part of my job. Live alive. Live you.