5 Ways to Control Migraine Headaches from the Chiropractors at Zen Care Physical Medicine

Migraine headaches cause throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head, typically lasting a few hours or even days. It is a common condition that affects 38 million people in the United States and 1 billion people worldwide. Doctors still have not figured out the exact causes of migraine headaches, but can agree that there are many factors that can trigger migraine headaches such as food, stress, hormonal changes, sleep issues, weather, and so on.

In order to reduce the number of migraine headaches, our chiropractors at Zen Care Physical Medicine in Irvine offer these:

5 valuable bits of advice that can make a difference

#1 Food and Diet

There are many common factors causing migraine headaches, and one of these factors is diet.

Our chiropractors recommend avoiding foods that are salty and processed. Salty foods contain a high amount of sodium which may cause a migraine.

You should also beware of foods that have the sweetener aspartame, and those foods that contain MSG, otherwise known as monosodium glutamate. MSG is a type of food additive used to enhance flavor. Considered safe by the FDA to consume, independent research suggests MSG may be responsible for triggering asthma and migraine headaches in some people. The American Migraine Foundation website found that MSG may trigger severe migraines in up to 15 percent of those who consume it.

Lastly, our chiropractors suggest avoiding aged cheeses because the more they age, the higher tyramine they contain and tyramine can trigger a migraine.

By avoiding these types of foods and sticking to a healthy diet, it is very well possible for you to prevent migraines to some extent.

#2. Avoid alcohol and balance the caffeine

Research supports the notion that consuming alcohol and caffeine can trigger migraine headaches.

This may sound strange to read, but caffeine is a stimulant that happens to be the most commonly used drug in the world. Millions of people consume it daily to “wake up”, battle fatigue, and improve concentration. But while this may seem positive, caffeine causes blood vessels to dilate and swell, and as a result, lead to migraines.

Alcohol, on the other hand, makes your body lose fluids and leads to dehydration which contributes to developing migraine headaches.

By avoiding caffeine and alcohol, our chiropractors at Zen Care Physical Medicine in Irvine are confident that you’ll experience fewer episodes of migraines. Of course, there could be many other factors leading to your headaches, but by eliminating some culprits, you can begin to feel better over time.

#3. Sleep well and consistently

Sleep is really important to your body’s overall health and well-being. In fact, decades of research prove that poor sleep habits or not getting enough sleep can cause many health problems ranging from anxiety to type 2 diabetes. Lack of sleep also leads to migraine headaches, and that’s why it is critical for migraine sufferers to put down the phone or iPad and focus on getting a good night’s sleep.

Our chiropractors at Zen Care Physical Medicine in Irvine suggest going to bed no later than 10 pm and getting out of bed at the same time every morning. Getting your body in the habit of going to bed at a certain time and waking up at a certain time helps improve sleep cycles, and as a result, you will cut down on illness and symptoms that come with poor sleeping habits such as migraines.

#4. Manage stress

Eliminate stress! Yes, it’s so much easier said than done, but if you wish to live a long and healthy life, you must learn to reduce stress or at least cope with it properly. Stress leads to many health conditions, including migraines and headaches.

Our chiropractors at Zen Care Physical Medicine urge you to remain calm and deal with life in a positive and accepting way, helping you reduce stress. They suggest giving yourself ample breaks during your workday, carving out time out of your busy schedule to exercise on a regular basis, and managing your time effectively to have time for leisure activities. Having some fun and letting go is key to having your body shed away all the excess stress, replacing it with happiness and relation that could a long way in helping your body heal.

So the next time you’re running late for a meeting, looking at a bill that’s not easy to pay, or feeling like you have no time in your schedule to go for a walk, realize that work and bills will always be there. Your health will not. Take care of your body so that your body can take care of you and get you through all the challenges of life.

#5. Choose the right treatment method

There are many treatments available to battle migraines such as using medication, acupuncture, chiropractic care, or even surgery. While medications may be helpful, stronger drugs could be habit-forming or may not always work. Plus, you must take those medications continuously as you’re just covering up the real cause of your migraines. Acupuncture could also be beneficial in some ways, but not all people respond well to treatment.

Research has now shown that corrective chiropractic care such as the Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP) perfumed by our Zen Care Physical Medicine chiropractic team would be by far the most effective treatment. This is because, unlike the other treatment plans, CBP actually addresses the root cause of pain. Spinal manipulations and adjustments work wonders in opening nerve energy pathways and eliminating pinched nerves responsible for migraines, leading to a much more effective and permanent solution.