Dry Needling for Migraines Bozeman Montana Chiropractic Clinic?

Migraines can be incredibly painful and debilitating, often leaving patients with vision disturbances, nausea, dizziness, lost sleep and countless other symptoms. Anyone who gets consistent migraines knows, even one a month can be enough to say enough is enough. So what is the answer if you aren't wanting to take medications, and all your other attempts to getting rid of your migraines haven't worked? Dry Needling has great success with treating migraines.

Your Migraines may be Cervicogenic (originating from the neck)

Cervicogenic meaning originating in the cervical spine. The cervical spine causing headaches can occur a couple of different ways. The first way results from misalignment and mobility issues in the neck causing an increase in muscle tension, placing more pressure on the surrounding nerves... referring pain to the head causing reoccurring migraines.

The second way is by an increase in muscle tension in a muscle called the rectus capitus posterior minor. The significance of this muscle is that it actually attaches to the dura of the brain by what is called the myodural bridge. When this small muscle gets excessively tight, it can actually pull on the brain dura resulting in migraine, often felt behind the eyes.

How does Dry Needling Help Migraines?

When you get Dry Needled, two things are going to happen, the first is the needles will disrupt the pain signals that are traveling to the brain, often times providing immediate relief. The doctor determines where to needle by palpation and patient symptoms. This is what differentiates dry needling from acupuncture, it is a direct, musculoskeletal approach to treating the effected areas.

Therefor, if you have spots in your neck, especially below your skull, that you know are very tight and potentially migraine causing, dry needling may be your answer to finding relief from your headaches.

Is Dry Needling for Migraines Painful?

Individuals who get dry needled for migraines often experience little to no pain. The muscles that have more tension and cause the most problems can be more painful than the other tissues. Descriptions patients often use for the tissues that are more painful when dry needled is "a deep ache." This is temporary, and will often subside within a few seconds.

Does Dry Needling for Migraine Take a Long Time?

Dry needling from start to finish takes about 10-`15 minutes. Once the clinician sterilizes the location the effected area, they will needle where they see fit. Followed by letting the needles sit for about 5-7 minutes. How quick patients see results varies, but results are usually seen within 24 hours of getting dry needled. 

All of the doctors at Gallatin Valley Chiropractic are Dry Needle certified through the Dry Needling Institute. For more information on dry needling click (here). To set up an appointment or consultation refer to the numbers and website below!

For more information or to schedule an appointment call us at 406-551-2177 or online at gallatinvalleychiropractic.com