The data supporting chiropractic treatment for migraines is conflicting, despite its increasing popularity.

A neurological disorder is migraine.

An strong headache, frequently characterized as throbbing or pounding, is the defining symptom of migraine.

Other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or light or sound sensitivity are typically present along with it.

Although there is no known cure for migraines, there are a number of therapies that can be used to manage their symptoms and side effects, such as medication or lifestyle modifications.

Chiropractic adjustments One kind of supplementary or alternative therapy is Trusted Source.

The majority of chiropractic care involves manual therapy, which includes spine manipulation.

Chiropractic adjustments One kind of supplementary or alternative therapy is Trusted Source.

The majority of chiropractic care involves manual therapy, which includes spine manipulation.

Research According to Trusted Source, chiropractic adjustments can effectively alleviate migraines.

But other research According to Trusted Source, it might be the result of a placebo effect.

What is effective for one individual might not be for another.

Possible advantages of treating migraines with chiropractic adjustments

The usefulness of chiropractic spine manipulation in managing migraine attacks has yielded conflicting findings.

For example, a review of six trials concluded that the effectiveness of spinal manipulation for migraine was not well supported.

However, compared to the placebo group, an older study (Trusted Source) indicated that those who attempted chiropractic spinal manipulation therapy experienced a better recovery in migraine headaches.

Chiropractors have stated that a sizable amount of their caseload consists of migraineurs, suggesting a high level of interest in this complementary therapy, even though further research is required.

Potential dangers and adverse consequences of chiropractic migraine treatment

One review from 2017 According to a reliable source, both adults and children frequently had mild to moderate side effects after spinal manipulation.

According to a reliable source, they affect between 23% and 83% of persons.

Among these negative consequences were

• increased soreness or pain in the ligaments,
• tendons, muscles, or bones headache, upper limb tingling,
• or numbness

Usually, these side effects disappeared on their own in a day.

In both adults and children, more severe side effects were also noted.

They were uncommon. Serious negative consequences were estimated at 1 per 2 million modifications to 13 per 10,000 individuals (Trusted Source).

Among the grave negative consequences were

• spinal cord damage following lumbar, thoracic,
• or cervical manipulation, lung collapse,
• cauda equina syndrome,
• or increasing lumbar disc herniations

Another meta-analysis from 2017.

While some adverse effects and major adverse effects were documented, according to Trusted Source, many studies had defective methodology, and underreporting was likely due to reporting standards and guidelines.

The following negative effects, including severe ones, were most commonly reported:

• stroke, headache, and dissection of the vertebral arteries aggravation of symptoms,
• increasing pain,
• and exhaustion

Ask your doctor or a migraine expert if it’s okay for you to see a chiropractor before making an appointment. They can also inform you of the hazards associated with your particular circumstances.

Are children safe to receive chiropractic care?

Migraines can and do occur in children.

Even if the therapies are comparable, many parents might be reluctant to give their kids medicine.

Some kids experience adverse drug reactions. A lot of migraine drugs are designed with adults in mind.

For a variety of conditions, including migraines, children do receive chiropractic therapy.

According to a 2021 study, chiropractic adjustments helped children between the ages of 7 and 14 experience fewer migraine headaches, but they had no effect on the severity of symptoms when a migraine did occur.

The study found that the most common negative effects of the treatment were fatigue, headaches, and discomfort, but these only persisted for a maximum of two hours.

No notable negative effects were observed.

The option of chiropractic treatment for migraines should be discussed with your child’s pediatrician.

Seek out a chiropractor who has experience treating children if you choose to receive chiropractic care.

Are other kinds of headaches treated by chiropractic care?

Not only migraines, but other kinds of headaches are also treated by chiropractors.

One of the most frequent complaints made to chiropractors is headaches.

Headache caused by cervicogenic pain