Migraines are a very common neurological condition, affecting about 12% of people worldwide. If you suffer from migraines, you know they are much more than a headache. A migraine can derail your life when it occurs.
Migraines affect 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men. Here at Meridian Health Center, we believe that while medications may temporarily reduce symptoms, it is equally important to understand why migraines are occurring in the first place. Our goal is to identify underlying contributors such as your nervous system, food sensitivities or toxicities, or misfiring of the brain. Either way, the goal is to help people experience fewer migraines with less intensity over time.
How Common Are Migraines?
Migraines are one of the most common neurological conditions in the world. Nearly 40 million Americans experience migraines. Approximately 1 in 7 people suffer from a migraine, and women experience migraines about 3 times more often than men, largely due to hormone influences. Migraines are also among the leading causes of disability worldwide for people under the age of 50. Nearly half of people with chronic migraines report that it interferes with work, family life, exercise, and social activities.
Unfortunately, many sufferers do not seek help beyond medication, while others assume migraines run in the family or are something they must live with forever. While genetics can increase your risk, migraines are often influenced by factors that can be identified and addressed.
Is It Normal to Have Regular Migraines?
Migraines are common, but they are not normal. Having occasional headaches after dehydration or an illness is one thing, but experiencing repeated migraines every month or every week is a sign that something in the body is not functioning optimally.
- Recurring migraines may indicate problems involving:
- Nervous system dysfunction
- Chronic muscle tension
- Poor posture
- Neck injuries
- Previous concussions
- Hormonal changes
- Inflammation
- Sleep disturbances
- Stress overload
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Blood sugar instability
Many people become accustomed to living with migraines by carrying medication everywhere, avoiding activities, or planning life around the next episode.
Rather than asking, “Which medication should I take?” a better question is, “Why is my body producing migraines in the first place?” Finding and addressing the underlying causes can often reduce both the frequency and severity of attacks.
$99 New Patient Special
– Day 1: History review, consultation, nerve scan, exam, and x-rays –
– Day 2: Review exam and x-rays, and adjustment –
– Day 3: Dr’s report of findings, review recommended treatment plan –
How Our Care Plan Works
1. Finally Be Heard
We dedicate time to listen, ensuring we understand the complete picture of your health struggles, lifestyle history, specific goals, and the challenges that have left you feeling limited. We move past the limitations of rushed appointments and generic solutions to build a genuine connection, making sure your unique needs and experiences are the central focus of your entire care plan.
2. Get To The Root Cause Of The Problem
Our team moves beyond temporary symptom management to systematically identify and correct the underlying interferences affecting your body’s ability to heal. We use our three-pillar system—Specific Spinal Correction, Customized Nutrition and Neuro-Feedback Principles—to target the physical, chemical, and neurological issues that are preventing you from thriving and limiting your life.
3. Take Back Control Of Your Health
This step is about implementing the personalized plan and teaching you the principles of lifelong wellness. Through corrective care and educational guidance, we give you the knowledge, tools, and lasting body changes needed to maintain optimal function. This comprehensive approach ensures you feel great now and have the foundation for sustained health and vitality, allowing you to live a full life without limits.
How We Treat Migraines In Southwest Denver, CO
Why Go to a Chiropractor Instead of Just Taking Medication?
The answer isn’t necessarily medication versus chiropractic. Many people use medication when needed. The bigger question is whether you want to only manage symptoms or also address factors that may be contributing to recurring migraines.
Over-the-counter medication like Advil (ibuprofen), Tylenol (acetaminophen), or prescription migraine medication can be helpful for short-term symptom relief. However, they generally do not correct the underlying issue that may be making migraines more likely to occur.
Chiropractic care focuses on the function of the body. We often discuss strategies that can reduce migraine triggers. Research suggests that for people with migraines associated with neck pain or musculoskeletal dysfunction, manual therapies — including spinal manipulation — can reduce headache frequency. Results vary by individual, and chiropractic care is not a cure for every migraine sufferer.
While no treatment can guarantee complete relief, many patients benefit from a comprehensive approach that addresses the health of the nervous system, spinal function, and lifestyle factors that influence migraine frequency.
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
Our new patient process takes place over three visits so we can fully understand your migraine pain and create the right plan for you.
Visit One (Day One):
Getting to Know You. During your first visit, we take the time to learn about you, your health history, and your headaches. This visit includes a complete consultation and health history, a physical examination, a surface EMG (sEMG) scan to assess muscle and nerve activity, orthopedic testing, and X-rays if needed. Once we have gathered all the necessary information, we will schedule your second visit.
Visit Two (Day Two):
Understanding the Cause. At your second visit, we review all your results with you, including exam findings, sEMG results, orthopedic tests, and X-rays. We explain what is causing your migraines and any related symptoms in a clear, easy-to-understand way. Once we identify the source of your migraines, we begin care with specific spinal warm-up exercises, your first chiropractic adjustment to start the healing process, and any additional imaging if needed. We will then schedule your third visit.
Visit Three (Day Three):
Your Care Plan. At your third visit, we review any additional X-rays and go over your personalized care plan. This plan is designed to help correct spinal issues, stabilize your head and neck, and maintain long-term spinal health so you can move and feel your best.
Digital X-Rays
X-rays are an important tool when evaluating any headache because they allow us to see the structure of the spine that we cannot see on our physical exam. While pain signals tell us that something is wrong, X-rays show spinal alignment, posture, joint positioning, and areas of abnormal stress that may be contributing. They can reveal changes in spinal curves, joint spacing, degeneration, or structural shifts that influence how the neck and upper spine move and function. The information gained from X-rays helps create a personalized treatment plan by allowing us to tailor adjustments, exercises, and corrective strategies to your specific spinal care. Having the most accurate information gives us the opportunity to provide you with the best form of treatment for your headaches.
Specific Chiropractic Care in Southwest Denver
At Meridian Health Center, we focus on the subluxation(s) that are creating your migraines. A subluxation is a misalignment or restriction in the movement of a vertebra that can interfere with normal nerve function and overall spinal mechanics. In the cervical spine, subluxations are especially significant because they can disrupt communication between the brain and the rest of the body, contributing to muscle tension, altered movement patterns, and recurring headaches. When left uncorrected, these can lead to poor posture, nerve irritation, and discomfort that radiates into the head, face, and neck.
Specific spinal correction adjustments can benefit patients with migraines by removing these subluxations in the upper neck region and restoring healthy alignment and movement. Specific corrective adjustments improve joint mobility, reduce muscular strain, and decrease nerve interference. As we restore posture and spinal mechanics, patients experience fewer to no headache episodes, creating a more stable foundation for long-term relief.
In addition to spinal correction, we provide you with specific corrective spinal exercises. These are designed to maintain proper spinal alignment and improve posture by retraining the body to move and bear weight correctly. Your specific spinal exercises encourage the spine to maintain its natural curves, reducing stress on discs, joints, and ligaments. Unlike generic exercises, specific spinal correction exercises are tailored to the individual’s spinal structure, making them a powerful tool for long-term correction, injury prevention, and ongoing spinal health.
Diet and Neurofeedback Support
Diet can also play a big role in how well the body heals and how often migraines show up. The food we eat gives our brain and nervous system the nutrients they need to work properly. When the body doesn’t get enough vitamins, minerals, or healthy fats — or when it reacts badly to certain foods — it becomes harder to control inflammation and maintain healthy blood flow. All of these factors can make headaches more likely.
Eating a whole-food, anti-inflammatory diet is one of the most effective ways to reduce headache symptoms. This means choosing foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. These foods help calm inflammation, support the nervous system, and keep blood sugar stable. Drinking plenty of water is also important, since dehydration is a common headache trigger.
At the same time, certain foods can make headaches worse. Processed foods, sugary snacks, artificial sweeteners, alcohol, caffeine swings, and foods with additives like nitrates or MSG can trigger headaches in many people. Some individuals also react to gluten or dairy. The BioScan SRT program we offer in-office is a customized test to pinpoint triggers of inflammation and food sensitivities that can cause headaches. From there, the focus turns to nourishing foods and avoiding these specific triggers, which helps the body heal, stay balanced, and reduce the frequency of headaches.
Neurofeedback is another option to help address the cause of your migraines. It is a non-invasive therapy that helps train the brain to regulate its activity more efficiently, which may reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. By improving the brain’s ability to manage stress and process sensory input, neurofeedback addresses factors that can contribute to recurring migraine episodes rather than simply masking the issue.
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Common Causes & Symptoms of Migraines in Southwest Denver, CO
What Causes Migraines?
Migraines are a complex neurological event involving changes in the brain and nervous system. Research suggests migraines result from abnormal activation of pain-sensitive nerves, changes in blood vessel activity, inflammatory chemicals, and altered communication between the brain and the nervous system.
While the exact mechanism varies from person to person, migraines are usually triggered when an already sensitive nervous system is pushed beyond its threshold.
Common Triggers
Here are some common triggers:
- Stress
- Neck dysfunction or subluxation
- Sleep changes
- Hormonal changes
- Food sensitivities
- Dehydration
- Blood sugar swings
- Weather changes
What Are the Distinguishing Features of a Migraine?
Migraines differ significantly from ordinary tension headaches. Typical migraine symptoms include:
- Moderate to severe head pain
- Throbbing or pulsating pain
- Pain often on one side of the head (although both sides can be involved)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to sound
- Sensitivity to smells
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
Some people also experience an aura, which may occur before the headache begins. Migraine aura may include:
- Flashing lights
- Blind spots
- Zig-zag lines
- Tingling sensations
- Temporary speech difficulty
- Temporary numbness
Migraine attacks can last anywhere from 4 hours to 72 hours if untreated. Many patients also experience a migraine hangover afterward, leaving them fatigued or mentally foggy for another day.
Common Triggers of Migraines in Lakewood/Southwest Denver, CO
Stress
Stress is one of the most common triggers for migraines and can come from many sources, such as work demands, family responsibilities, anxiety, poor sleep, trauma, and physical stress such as muscle tension or poor posture. When the body experiences ongoing stress, it increases the release of stress hormones like cortisol, which contributes to inflammation, disrupts immune function, affects sleep, and makes the nervous system more sensitive to pain and migraine triggers.
At Meridian Health Center, we focus on helping your body better manage the effects of stress by supporting healthy nervous system function. Through a comprehensive approach that may include chiropractic care, neurofeedback, lifestyle changes, exercise, and stress management strategies, we work to address factors that may be causing your migraine.
Diet and Dehydration
Your diet plays an important role in migraine frequency because the foods you eat directly influence inflammation, blood sugar balance, hydration, and nervous system function. Common migraine-triggering foods may include processed foods, artificial sweeteners, highly refined sugars, aged cheeses, processed meats, and excessive caffeine. On the other hand, a nutrient-dense diet focused on quality proteins, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables, and adequate hydration can provide the body with the resources it needs to better regulate inflammation and recover from stress.
Proper nutrition is essential for preventing illness because it provides the building blocks necessary for immune function, hormone balance, energy production, and healthy brain function. At Meridian Health Center, we help patients identify lifestyle factors that may be contributing to migraines and provide guidance on sustainable changes that support overall health. Through chiropractic care, nervous system support, and wellness education, we help patients create healthier habits that may reduce migraine triggers and improve their quality of life.
Weather Changes
Weather changes are a common migraine trigger for many people, especially sudden shifts in barometric pressure. Changes in the environment can affect blood vessels, inflammation levels, and the body’s ability to maintain balance. Many people in Colorado experience weather-related migraines due to rapid temperature changes, dry climate, altitude, and seasonal weather patterns along the Front Range.
Sleep
Sleep plays a critical role in restoring the brain, balancing hormones, regulating the nervous system, and supporting overall health. Any changes in sleep patterns — such as getting too little sleep or oversleeping, inconsistent bedtimes, or just poor sleep quality — disrupt the brain’s ability to regulate signals and increase the likelihood of a migraine attack.
Hormones
Outside of structural misalignments, hormones are the second most common migraine trigger we see. Changes in hormone levels can influence brain chemistry, inflammation, blood vessel activity, and the sensitivity of the nervous system. Many people notice migraines occurring around their menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause, or other times when hormones are shifting.
At Meridian Health Center, we focus on supporting the body’s ability to regulate and adapt to hormonal changes naturally. Factors such as proper nutrition, regular exercise, quality of sleep, stress management, and maintaining good blood sugar levels play a big role.
Caffeine and Alcohol
Caffeine and alcohol can both be common migraine triggers, although their effects can vary from person to person. Caffeine may influence blood flow, nervous system activity, and sleep quality, while excessive intake or sudden withdrawal can trigger headaches and migraines. Alcohol, especially beverages such as red wine, may contribute to migraines by affecting inflammation, hydration levels, blood vessels, and chemicals in the brain involved in pain regulation.
The best approach is to identify your personal triggers and make gradual, sustainable lifestyle changes. This may include monitoring caffeine and alcohol intake, staying properly hydrated, maintaining consistent sleep patterns, and supporting healthy nutrition habits.
Light and Smell Sensitivity
Sensitivity to light and smell is one of the most distinguishing characteristics of migraines and can make everyday environments difficult to tolerate during an attack. Bright lights, flashing screens, strong odors, perfumes, chemicals, and certain foods can overstimulate the nervous system and activate pathways involved in migraine pain. This increased sensitivity occurs because migraines involve changes in how the brain processes sensory information. Reducing exposure to personal triggers can help prevent or lessen migraine episodes.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Migraine Treatment
Can Going to a Chiropractor Help With Migraines?
Chiropractic care helps many people with migraines. Most migraines start with a subluxation at the cervical levels of C1 and C2. A thorough evaluation can help identify contributing factors and create a personalized plan to support better nervous system function.
Can Your Neck Being Out of Alignment Cause Migraines?
Changes in the neck, joint mobility, muscle tension, and posture can contribute to headaches and migraines. Chiropractic care focuses on the improvement of spinal hygiene.
What Is the Quickest Way to Get Rid of a Migraine?
The quickest relief for a migraine varies by person. Some things that help are resting in a dark, quiet room, staying hydrated, and addressing personal triggers. Long-term relief requires addressing the underlying factors.
How Do You Permanently Cure a Migraine?
There is currently no guaranteed permanent cure for migraines, but many people can significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of their attacks by addressing triggers, lifestyle factors, nervous system health, and underlying contributors.
What Is the Most Effective Treatment for Migraines?
The most effective migraine treatment is often a personalized approach that combines appropriate medical care, lifestyle changes, trigger management, and therapies that address contributing factors. What works best depends on the individual, their symptoms, and the causes behind their migraines.
What Food Should You Avoid During Migraines?
During a migraine, some people find relief by avoiding processed foods, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, excessive caffeine, dairy, and high food additives. Keeping a journal can help identify personal triggers.
$99 New Patient Special
– Day 1: History review, consultation, nerve scan, exam, and x-rays –
– Day 2: Review exam and x-rays, and adjustment –
– Day 3: Dr’s report of findings, review recommended treatment plan –
