Headache & Migraine Treatment Vacaville, CA
Migraines and headaches often force many to make drastic changes to their daily routine and schedule. For many people, the severity of a migraine or headache can lead to missing work, meetings, school, and other important events. While migraines and headaches can be difficult to prevent and even more challenging to eliminate after they occur, the proper treatment and preventive care can greatly reduce their effect on an everyday routine.
At Victory Spine Center, we offer headache treatments for patients experiencing persistent or recurring headaches. Our team can help relieve symptoms, provide treatment, and prevent future headaches. To learn more about a procedure or schedule an appointment, call (707) 509-1143 today.
The Process of Diagnosing Headaches and Migraines
While it may be necessary to visit a neurologist for an official diagnosis, it may take weeks or even months of waiting for an appointment. Instead of struggling with the symptoms until then, we can provide immediate professional medical care and relief. It is crucial to seek treatment if headache symptoms become unbearable at any point.
Regardless of the medical professional conducting the evaluation, there are several possible methods for diagnosing headaches. First, conducting a full-scale exam and reviewing the patient's medical history will be essential. We will also attempt to determine patterns, allowing for a more accurate diagnosis. If necessary, we can also conduct blood tests to search for blood vessel problems, infections, or toxins in the blood that may cause migraines or headaches. In many instances, a medical professional can gain an in-depth understanding of the root cause through patient history and blood testing.
Additionally, an MRI may be necessary for diagnosis. A magnetic resonance imaging scan, or MRI, reveals any serious conditions, such as brain tumors or bleeding in the brain. Similarly, a CT scan utilizes a series of X-rays to gain information that determines the migraines' root cause. If patient history, blood testing, MRI scans, and CT scans still cannot reveal the cause of the headaches, we may consider several other options.
“..conducting a full-scale exam and reviewing the patient’s medical history will be essential.”
Treatment Options for Headaches and Migraines
Unfortunately, migraines can be incredibly difficult to prevent and even more challenging to treat once they occur. However, treatment methods can help shorten the time span of the headache and relieve symptoms. This way, it does not require any significant daily routine changes.
We can treat migraine headaches when they are currently happening. The main and most frustrating symptom is severe pain. There are several options that medical professionals often utilize to help patients. While migraines may still require rest and time off from work, school, etc., the following treatment options give patients the resources necessary to face migraines head-on. Ultimately, the most effective way to treat headaches and migraines is to do everything possible to prevent them from occurring in the first place.
Fortunately, there are medications available to help accomplish just that. For example, healthcare professionals may prescribe beta-blockers to patients who suffer from chronic migraines or headaches. In some instances, antidepressants can also limit headaches, even if the patient does not suffer from depression. First, however, we will need to determine which option is the most effective and healthy choice for each patient.
“…treatment methods can help shorten the time span of the headache and relieve symptoms.”
Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Headaches
While certain medications can help limit or decrease headache symptoms, the patient can make lifestyle changes to help with symptoms. These lifestyle changes do not need to be drastic or difficult to complete regularly. The first step is identifying the triggers before developing ways to avoid them:
- Emotional stress
- Hormones in women
- Not eating
- Not drinking enough water
- Sleep disturbances
- Weather
Some of the less common triggers can include:
- Alcohol
- Heat
- Lights
- Neck pain
- Odors
- Sleeping late
- Smoke
Some of the least common triggers can include:
- Exercise
- Food
- Sexual activity
Our team will conduct an examination of the patient's medical history and symptoms to identify what triggers correspond to the headaches. Once we do this, we can apply effective measures to reasonably avoid them. For example, if headaches happen around the weekends after having one too many glasses of wine, it may be useful to see if they are less frequent when reducing alcohol consumption.
“The first step is identifying the triggers before developing ways to avoid them.”
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When Headaches Require Medical Attention
It is crucial to seek professional care for migraines with severe symptoms or if it is the first time a patient is experiencing it. The National Headache Foundation states that 40 million Americans are living with migraine disease and headache disorders, and about 1 in 4 U.S. households includes someone living with migraine disease. Our chiropractor can provide the treatment patients need for relief, which includes the possibility of preventing headaches and migraines from occurring in the first place. Additionally, a migraine or severe headache episode that shows any of the following severe symptoms should be treated by a medical professional as soon as possible:
- Blurry or double vision
- Dizziness or confused mental state
- Fainting
- Occurring after a head injury
- Seizure
- Severe vomiting and nausea
- Shortness of breath
Along with the more severe symptoms and early signs of chronic headaches and migraines, other complications suggest the individual should seek medical assistance. Migraines and severe headaches can lead to more complicated illnesses, such as sleep disturbances, anxiety, and depression. If chronic headaches or migraines lead to any of the aforementioned complications, be sure to visit a medical professional as soon as possible.
Otherwise, migraine headaches and other complications that have developed may worsen and become more chronic. From the moment patients walk in the door, we will help them receive the care they need. By identifying the source of the migraine, we can help patients receive the most effective treatment to help them live life to the fullest without symptoms getting in the way.
“Migraines and severe headaches can lead to more complicated illnesses like sleep disturbances, anxiety, and depression.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. How are migraines and headaches diagnosed?
Q. How do chiropractors treat headaches and migraines?
Q. What lifestyle habits could I develop to prevent frequent headaches?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What causes headaches and migraines to become chronic?
A. Multiple factors can cause migraines to become more chronic, including certain food types, smells, and stressful situations. Keep a headache journal for a month to record common situations or factors that lead to migraines. If there is no common link, consider visiting a medical professional for further assistance and diagnosis, which can ultimately help you eliminate the frequency and severity level of migraines.
Q. Why is my headache medication making my symptoms worse?
A. Consult the physician who prescribed the medication and follow their advice. Some medications may counteract other medications you may be taking. Do not stop the medication unless advised by your physician.
Q. Are some people at higher risk of developing chronic or severe headaches?
A. Certain types of people are more at risk of developing chronic headaches and migraines, although the links are certainly not all-inclusive. In general, the likelihood of developing headaches and migraines can be assessed in three categories, age, genetics, and gender. Most individuals who suffer from chronic headaches and migraines experience their first one during adolescence, and they tend to slow down after the age of 30. Additionally, migraines are genetic, and there is an increased likelihood of suffering from migraines if the condition runs in the family.
Q. How do I tell the difference between a headache and a migraine?
A. Unlike a simple headache, a migraine headache can have symptoms before the pain occurs. These changes can include changes in vision (bright lines or shapes), hearing (loud ringing or music), or even sensations like burning, numbness, and tingling. Unlike a simple headache, the pain of a migraine is limited to only one side (left or right) of the head and is usually described as "throbbing" or "pulsing" pain. As the migraine headache gets worse, you will often encounter other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, pain from bright lights, and pain from loud noises.
Q. Will medication help ease my headache and migraine symptoms?
A. While medication can help to treat headache and migraine symptoms, each patient is unique. Due to this, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment. We will determine which type of medication may help the patient achieve desired relief. After an examination of the patient, we will customize a treatment plan and recommend the most effective method for continuing with treatment.
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Call Us Today
Consultations and treatments for headaches are available at our office. In order to ensure the pain and other symptoms that result from migraine headaches do not worsen and become unbearable, be sure to consult with us when experiencing a migraine headache, especially if it is recurring or when symptoms do not improve.
We could offer professional insight into lifestyle changes that help reduce the chance of a migraine or headache occurring and limit its severity if one were to occur. Call our office at 707-509-1143 to learn more or schedule an appointment.
Helpful Related Links
- Academy of Chiropractic. Academy of Chiropractic. 2023
- American Chiropractic Association. American Chiropractic Association, ACA Blog. 2023
- WebMD, Chiropractic Care for Back Pain. WebMD, Chiropractic Care for Back Pain. 2023
About our business, license, and website security
- Victory Spine Center was established in 1989.
- We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Check, MasterCard, and Visa
- We serve patients from the following counties: Solano, Napa, and Yolo
- We serve patients from the following cities: Vacaville, Elmira, Fairfield, Allendale, Dixon, Winters, Cordelia, Vallejo, Davis, American Canyon, and Green Valley
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