It starts as a dull throb behind your eyes or a stiffness in your neck. You try to ignore it, hoping it will pass with a glass of water or a few minutes of rest. But within an hour, the sensation transforms into a pulsating, rhythmic pain that makes even the softest light feel blinding and the quietest sound feel like a roar.
If this scenario sounds familiar, you know that a migraine is far more than "just a headache." It is a neurological event that can derail your entire day, forcing you to retreat to a dark, silent room while work, family, and life continue without you.
For residents of Ladue, MO, finding relief often involves a cycle of over-the-counter medications, prescription refills, and waiting for the pain to subside. But masking the symptoms rarely solves the problem. True relief requires understanding the root cause of the dysfunction. At Bonesetters, Dr. Hayes and his team utilize advanced, whole-body chiropractic care to help patients break free from the grip of chronic migraines and reclaim their quality of life.
To treat a migraine effectively, we must first understand what is happening inside the body. Unlike a tension headache, which is often muscular, a migraine involves a complex interaction between your nervous system, vascular system, and chemical messengers in the brain.
During a migraine attack, specific nerves—particularly the trigeminal nerve, a major pain pathway—become overstimulated. This triggers the release of chemicals that cause inflammation in the blood vessels covering the brain. The result is the throbbing pain, nausea, and sensory sensitivity that migraine sufferers know all too well.
The impact of this condition extends far beyond the duration of the pain itself. There is the "prodrome" phase (warning signs like fatigue or mood changes) before the headache hits, and the "postdrome" (often called the "migraine hangover") that leaves you feeling drained and foggy for days after.
For professionals and parents in Ladue, this unpredictability is devastating. It means missed meetings, cancelled social plans, and an underlying anxiety about when the next attack will strike. Chronic migraines don't just hurt physically; they erode your productivity and your sense of control over your own schedule.
Migraine Treatment Ladue MO
One of the most frustrating aspects of migraines is that they are rarely caused by a single factor. They are typically the result of a "threshold effect"—a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers that push your nervous system over the edge. Understanding these triggers is the first step toward management.
While triggers vary wildly from person to person, they generally fall into a few categories that increase neural excitability:
If your parents suffered from migraines, you are much more likely to experience them as well. However, genetics are not a life sentence. While you cannot change your DNA, you can change how your body handles the stress that triggers the genetic expression of the migraine. This is where chiropractic care becomes vital.
The standard medical approach to migraines typically involves pharmacology. You might take NSAIDs (ibuprofen) for mild attacks, triptans to block pain pathways during severe attacks, or preventative medications like beta-blockers or anti-seizure drugs.
While these medications can provide necessary short-term relief, they come with significant limitations:
Paradoxically, frequent use of pain medication can lead to "medication overuse headaches" or rebound headaches. This creates a vicious cycle where the medication taken to alleviate migraine pain ends up causing more headaches. Breaking this cycle often requires reducing medication under medical supervision, which can be challenging but necessary for long-term relief.
Prescription migraine preventatives often come with side effects such as drowsiness, weight gain, nausea, and brain fog. These side effects can be just as disruptive as the migraines themselves, impacting daily life and overall well-being. For some patients, the trade-off between symptom relief and tolerating side effects becomes an ongoing struggle.
While medications primarily target migraine symptoms, they rarely address the underlying causes, such as nervous system dysfunction. For example, a spinal misalignment in the neck can irritate the nerves leading to the head, perpetuating migraines. Structural issues often require corrective care, which medication alone cannot resolve. This highlights the need for holistic solutions.
Chiropractic care offers a distinct advantage in treating migraines because it focuses on the health of the spine and its relationship to the nervous system.
The cervical spine (the neck) is a critical area for migraine sufferers. The upper cervical vertebrae (C1 and C2) are located right at the base of the skull. If these vertebrae are misaligned (a condition known as subluxation), they can put physical pressure on the brainstem and the surrounding nerves. This misalignment interferes with the communication between the brain and the body and can impede proper blood flow and cerebrospinal fluid drainage.
By correcting these misalignments through precise adjustments, chiropractic care reduces nerve irritation. This reduces the baseline level of inflammation and stress in the nervous system, effectively raising your "migraine threshold." When your nervous system is functioning calmly and correctly, it takes much more stimulus (stress, weather changes, food triggers) to spark a migraine.
Research supports this approach. Numerous studies have shown that chiropractic adjustments can significantly reduce the frequency, duration, and intensity of migraines, often with results that rival or exceed prescription medication, but without the side effects.
Migraine Treatment Service Ladue MO
When looking for relief in the Ladue area, Bonesetters offers a unique, comprehensive approach. Under the guidance of Dr. Hayes, the clinic operates on the philosophy of treating the body as a whole.
Many clinics may focus solely on the area where you feel pain. However, Dr. Hayes understands that a migraine might be triggered by tension in the neck, which is caused by a misalignment in the hips or lower back that alters your gait and posture. By addressing the entire musculoskeletal system, Bonesetters ensures that the root cause is resolved, not just the local symptom.
We understand that some patients are hesitant about chiropractic care because they fear aggressive twisting or "cracking" of the neck. At Bonesetters, we prioritize patient comfort and safety by utilizing state-of-the-art technology alongside traditional methods.
The Pulstar System:
We utilize the Pulstar system, a computer-guided analysis and treatment tool. The Pulstar scans your spine to identify areas of stiffness and resistance. It then delivers a series of precise, gentle impulses to the affected vertebrae. This technology allows us to adjust the spine without any twisting or popping, making it an ideal option for patients who are sensitive or in acute pain.
The Activator Method:
This is a hand-held instrument that delivers a low-force, high-speed thrust. Because it is so fast, the muscles don't have time to tense up in anticipation, allowing for a highly effective adjustment with minimal force.
Spinal Decompression:
For migraines related to compression in the neck, spinal decompression therapy is a game-changer. This non-invasive therapy gently stretches the spine to relieve pressure on discs and nerves, promoting the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the affected areas.
Walking into a new healthcare office can be intimidating, especially when you are in pain. At Bonesetters in Ladue, our process is designed to be thorough, transparent, and stress-free.
Your journey begins with a detailed conversation. Dr. Hayes will discuss your history, the frequency of your migraines, your lifestyle, and your goals. We listen to you because no one knows your body better than you do.
We move beyond basic checks. We perform a full physical assessment, looking at your posture, range of motion, and spinal alignment. If necessary, diagnostic imaging (X-rays) may be used to get a clear picture of the underlying structure of your neck and spine.
Using our diagnostic tools, we pinpoint the specific subluxations or muscular imbalances that are contributing to your headaches. We look for patterns—does your head tilt to one side? Is there a loss of the natural curve in your neck?
We do not believe in cookie-cutter healthcare. Based on your exam, Dr. Hayes will draft a care plan tailored to your needs. This may include a mix of Pulstar analysis, manual adjustments, spinal decompression, and soft tissue therapy.
Depending on your acute symptoms, treatment often begins on the first day. Whether we use the Activator, the Pulstar, or manual techniques, the goal is immediate relief and long-term stabilization.
Chiropractic adjustments open the door to healing, but lifestyle choices walk you through it. To truly conquer migraines, patients must adopt habits that support their nervous system. At Bonesetters, we guide our Ladue patients on making sustainable changes.
Dehydration is a massive trigger. We recommend a consistent intake of water throughout the day, perhaps supplemented with electrolytes. We also help patients identify inflammatory foods in their diet and suggest magnesium supplements, which have been shown to help relax blood vessels and prevent attacks.
In an era of remote work and smartphones, posture is a major contributor to migraines. We provide specific advice on setting up your workstation to keep your monitor at eye level and your spine neutral. Simple changes, like taking "micro-breaks" every 30 minutes to stretch, can prevent the buildup of tension in the suboccipital muscles at the base of the skull.
Since stress is a primary trigger, we discuss techniques for management, such as deep breathing exercises or mindfulness. These practices help reduce tension and improve overall well-being. Furthermore, establishing "sleep hygiene," like maintaining consistent sleep and wake times daily, helps regulate the brain's chemistry, reducing the likelihood of migraines and improving recovery from stressful days.
Migraine Treatment Service
You do not have to live in fear of the next weather change or stressful deadline. Migraines are a signal that something in your body needs attention, and masking that signal with medication is not a long-term strategy.
By addressing the structural misalignments in your spine, reducing nervous system irritation, and adopting a whole-body approach to health, you can find the relief you have been searching for.
If you are in the Ladue, MO area and are ready to stop managing your pain and start treating the cause, Bonesetters is here to help. Dr. Hayes and the team are dedicated to guiding you toward a life free from the debilitating cycle of migraines.
Take the first step toward relief today.
Contact Bonesetters to schedule your initial consultation and see how specialized chiropractic care can change your life.