If you’ve ever experienced a migraine, you’ll know it’s far more than a headache.
For many people, migraines can bring life to a complete standstill. Work becomes impossible, plans are cancelled, and even simple tasks can feel overwhelming. Some people need to lie in a dark room for hours, while others live with the constant anxiety of wondering when the next attack will strike.
Many of the people we see have been dealing with migraines for years. They’ve tried medications, supplements, dietary changes, new pillows, massages, and countless other approaches. While some find temporary relief, many are still searching for answers.
If you’ve ever felt frustrated, unheard, or like nobody has looked at the bigger picture, you’re not alone.
Migraines can vary significantly from person to person.
Some people experience a throbbing pain on one side of the head, while others feel pressure behind the eyes, pain around the temples, or discomfort that spreads across the entire head.
Common symptoms may include:
For some, migraines occur a few times per year. For others, they become a regular part of life.
The truth is that migraines are complex.
Unlike many injuries, migraines rarely have a single cause. They are often influenced by a combination of factors including genetics, stress, sleep quality, hormones, diet, hydration, physical health, and nervous system function.
Many people notice that certain foods, dehydration, poor sleep, or stressful periods make their migraines worse. Others find that digestive issues or gut health seem to influence the frequency of their attacks.
Because migraines can have multiple contributing factors, a thorough assessment is often essential.
One area that is often overlooked is the neck.
Many migraine sufferers also experience neck pain, stiffness, or tension before, during, or after an attack. Research has shown that the upper cervical spine, the joints, muscles, and nerves at the top of the neck, has close neurological connections with the areas of the brain involved in headache and migraine symptoms.
While not every migraine originates from the neck, dysfunction in the neck can sometimes act as a contributing factor or trigger in certain individuals.
This is why we pay particular attention to the upper cervical spine during our examinations.
Rather than focusing on a single factor, we take a comprehensive approach. We perform a detailed consultation and physical examination, assessing areas such as the neck, posture, nervous system, movement patterns, and when appropriate, lifestyle factors that may be influencing your symptoms.
If we identify that the upper cervical spine is contributing to your symptoms, chiropractic care aims to restore normal movement to these joints using gentle, precise adjustments.
Improving movement of the upper neck may reduce unnecessary muscle guarding and help normalise the sensory information travelling from the neck to the brain. By reducing one of the many potential triggers affecting the nervous system, some people experience fewer migraines, less intense attacks or improved neck comfort between episodes.
If migraines are affecting your work, family life, exercise, or ability to enjoy the things you love, know that there may be more options available than simply waiting for the next attack.
At The Third Space in Amsterdam-Oost, we take the time to listen to your story, investigate thoroughly, and help identify factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Because while migraines may be common, living with them shouldn’t be accepted as normal.
