A migraine usually is a throbbing headache that occurs on one or both sides of the head. The headache typically is accompanied by nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite. Activity, bright light or loud noises can make the headache worse, so someone having a migraine often seeks out a cool, dark, quiet place. Migraines can be triggered by certain activities, foods, smells or emotions. Some people are more likely to experience migraines when they are under stress, while others develop migraines when stress is relieved (for example, the day after exams or an important meeting). Conservative management may be effective for controlling symptoms of migraines and reducing their frequency. Further, a study was preformed in Australia at the Chiropractic Research Center of Macquarie University that proved that spinal manipulation helps migraines. One hundred seventy-seven volunteers who had migraines for more than 18 years on average were used. The volunteers who received spinal manipulation showed a statistically significant improvement in migraine frequency, duration, and disability.
Those who received spinal manipulation were also able to considerably reduce the amount of medication they were taking, some eliminating the use of medication altogether.