Headaches and migraines are never welcome. Headache sufferers are usually quite ready for tips on how to avoid them. Over 50 years of age, sufferers of migraine, a primary headache, find themselves part of a global community with migraine being a foremost cause of disability. (1) New Hampshire Spine and Sport offers some prevention tips and treatment relief ideas especially for our Southern New Hampshire headache and migraine sufferers.
DIET AND WEIGHT
A healthy diet nourishes the body and the mind. Researchers have discussed that migraine triggers come in many different forms - environmental, hormonal, and dietary. A high-quality diet effectively helps control migraine. Additionally, and more specifically, women with chronic migraine had a poorer quality diet than that of women who had episodic migraine. (2) Another study got even more specific with the kind of diet helpful to migraine patients, particularly those who are overweight. A very low-calorie ketogenic diet was revealed to be preventive of episodic migraines. Usefulness was noted within one month of the diet modification. (3) New Hampshire Spine and Sport is not recommending that any of our patients try a specific diet now! If a Southern New Hampshire headache sufferer wishes to look into a new diet, New Hampshire Spine and Sport is here to discuss and determine which diet (if any special one) is proper.
NUTRITION: Vitamin D
The same goes for vitamin D supplementation. Vitamin D deficiency has been found in 45% to 100% of migraine sufferers. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics of vitamin D have opened its supplementation to considered inclusion in the care and prevention of headache and migraine. One study reported that trial doses of 1000-4000 IU per day decreased the frequency of migraine in addition to routine drug therapy. More research needs to be done, but vitamin D supplementation seems promising. (1) New Hampshire Spine and Sport surveys the nutrition of each individual Southern New Hampshire chiropractic patient and suggests supplementation when applicable.
CHIROPRACTIC AND INTEGRATIVE CARE
Headaches of all types – primary headaches like migraine and tension-type headache – are frequent complaints brought to the Southern New Hampshire chiropractor. Research reported that complementary and integrative medicine - nutrition, movement (yoga), manual therapy, traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, massage, biofeedback, meditation, and mind-body strategies – was helpful. In particular, spinal manipulation, chiropractic care, some supplements, diet change and hydrotherapy are reported beneficial for migraine headache. (4)
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Mike Poulin on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson who discussed treating the cervical spine with Cox® Technic for the management and relief of headache.
CONTACT New Hampshire Spine and Sport
Schedule a Southern New Hampshire chiropractic appointment with New Hampshire Spine and Sport today. New Hampshire Spine and Sport welcomes headache and/or migraine sufferers for preventive and alleviating care like modifying your diet, supplementing with vitamin D, and treating with spinal manipulation.