If you’re reading this, you’re probably struggling with migraines and looking for a solution that actually works. I’m Dr. Joshua Gelber from Annex Family Chiropractic in Toronto, and I’ve seen many patients find relief from migraines in an often overlooked way: by focusing on restoring your nervous system function.

What Are Migraines and How Do They Affect Your Nervous System?

Migraines are more than just bad headaches. You might also experience nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and even visual disturbances. While the exact cause of migraines isn’t fully understood, they’re believed to be linked to abnormal brain activity that affects nerve signals, chemicals, and blood flow in your brain.

The Nervous System’s Role

Your nervous system is like your body’s command center, controlling everything, including how you feel pain. When there’s a disruption in your nervous system, it can lead to various health issues, including migraines. Misalignments in your spine, called subluxations, can interfere with nerve function, leading to more frequent and severe migraines.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help You

Chiropractic care focuses on identifying and correcting disruptions of the neuromusculoskeletal system, by examining the spine. Gentle spinal adjustments, with my hands or tools, correct misalignments, remove pressure, and decrease nerve irritation. When we clear the subluxations that interfere with your nervous system function, many symptoms like migraines disappear as your overall health improves.

Spinal Adjustments

  • Realign Your Spine: Spinal adjustments help to realign your vertebrae, relieving pressure on your nerves.
  • Improve Blood Flow: Correcting spinal misalignments can improve blood flow to your brain, reducing the occurrence of migraines.
  • Reduce Muscle Tension: Spinal adjustments can also reduce muscle tension, which is often a contributing factor to migraines.

What the Research Says About Chiropractic Care for Migraines

Several studies have shown that chiropractic care can help reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines.

  • 2011 Study: Published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, this study found that participants who received chiropractic adjustments reported significant improvements in migraine frequency, duration, disability, and medication use.
  • 2015 Study: Published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, researchers found that chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy improved migraine frequency, intensity, and quality of life for patients who hadn’t responded to traditional treatments.

Real Life Relief: A Migraine Sufferer’s Testimonial

One of my patients, Victoria G., has been seeing me for four years, and her story is a testament to the effectiveness of chiropractic care. Here’s what she has to say:

“I’ve now been seeing Dr. Gelber for 4 years and my migraines are, for the most part, completely gone. I’ve come off of all migraine medication with absolutely no issues!

Dr. Gelber truly is an amazing chiropractor….a miracle worker if you ask me. I started getting adjustments in January for migraines that were not only affecting my brain but would also affect me physically to the point where I would barely have the strength to even stand up or walk. 

I had tried numerous preventative medications and had been using rizatriptan regularly to help with the pain and even that didn’t always help. 

Since seeing Dr. Gelber, I went from having migraines almost daily to maybe once or twice a month, and even then they aren’t that bad. On days I’ve had migraines, Dr. Gelber’s adjustments would literally melt the migraines away. By the time I left the office, the migraine would be gone.

I’ve also had a lot of tension in my back for the last 7-8 years that’s caused me discomfort. Since I started seeing Dr. Gelber, all the tension and pain I had been experiencing is practically gone.

Dr. Gelber and Grace (his receptionist) are super kind and work hard to make sure every patient is tended to and that their individual needs are met! Look no further!!! I guarantee you this is the place you’re looking for!!”

Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Your Migraines

You can experience numerous benefits from chiropractic care, just like Victoria:

  • Reduction in Migraine Frequency: Regular chiropractic adjustments can significantly reduce how often you get migraines.
  • Decrease in Migraine Intensity: Many patients report that their migraines are less severe after receiving chiropractic care.
  • Medication Reduction: Chiropractic care can help you reduce or eliminate your reliance on migraine medications, which often come with unwanted side effects.
  • Improved Overall Health: Chiropractic care promotes better well-being by improving communication between the brain, organs, glands, and tissues.

Ready for Migraine Relief?

Chiropractic care offers a promising solution for your migraines by focusing on restoring your nervous system function. At my Toronto office, I’ve helped many patients like Victoria experience significant relief and improved quality of life through spinal adjustments and a holistic approach to health. 

If you’re struggling with migraines and haven’t found relief through traditional treatments, consider visiting Annex Family Chiropractic to see how chiropractic care can help you live well! Feel free to reach out, and let’s get started on your journey to better health!

Interested in learning more? Read “What a Shorter Leg Tells Me About Your Spine.”

If you’re looking for a chiropractor in Toronto, we’d love to welcome you to Annex Family Chiropractic! Let’s work together to ensure you’re at peak performance. Book an appointment online at https://annexfamilychiropractic.com or call 416-967-4466.

References:

  • Bryans R, Descarreaux M, Duranleau M, Marcoux H, Potter B, Ruegg R, Shaw L, Watkin R, White E. Evidence-based guidelines for the chiropractic treatment of adults with headache. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2011 Jun;34(5):274-89. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2011.04.008. PMID: 21640251. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21640251/ 
  • Chaibi A, Šaltytė Benth J, Tuchin PJ, Russell MB. Chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for migraine: a study protocol of a single-blinded placebo-controlled randomised clinical trial. BMJ Open. 2015 Nov 19;5(11):e008095. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008095. PMID: 26586317; PMCID: PMC4654276. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26586317/