Understanding Types of Migraines with Optimal Health Chiropractic and Massage in Edmonds, WA

Are you among the 38 million Americans who dread the onset of a headache, wondering if it is a migraine? If so, do you know what kind of a migraine you have? There are several kinds of Migraines and they are all different. No matter what type you have, the chiropractic staff at Optimal Health in Edmonds can manage and treat it.

What Are Migraines and How Are They Diagnosed?

Rather than being just a bad headache, a migraine is a collection of neurological symptoms. A diagnosis is based on your medical history, symptoms as well as a physical and neurological exam. A specialist trained in treating headaches might order blood tests, an MRI or CT scan, or a spinal tap to help them diagnose the migraine and exclude other underlying causes of your headache.

Common Types of Migraines

The most common types of migraines are migraine without aura and migraine with aura. Most migraine sufferers have migraine without aura. This type prevents you from engaging in normal daily activities and is associated with symptoms such as:

• Intense pain and throbbing on one side of your head that becomes worse when you move
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sensitivity to light, noise, and smells
• Stiffness in your neck and shoulders
• Blurred vision

One in four people gets Migraine with Aura. Aura can affect sight, smell, taste, touch, and speech. Typically, people will experience an “aura” prior to feeling any pain. Common symptoms of an aura include seeing lines, shapes, or flashes. You might lose your vision for up to 30 minutes and experience tingling in your arms and legs. Another type of migraine is the Hemiplegic. This headache is an aura headache. It is accompanied by paralysis or weakness on one side of the body. 

How a Chiropractor Can Help Manage and Treat Migraines

Chiropractors have a variety of methods used in managing and treating migraines. Those methods include neck stretching, relaxation exercises, spinal manipulation, heat therapy, and massage.

Schedule an Appointment Today with Optimal Health Chiropractic and Massage in Edmonds, WA!

If you experience migraines, you know how debilitating they can be. A chiropractor at Optimal Health in Edmonds in Edmonds, WA can help. Call now at 425-361-1839!