Migraines are one of the most common issues that affect people in the US with nearly 39 million sufferers. That accounts for about 18% of women, 6% of men, and 10% of children. So why are there still so many migraine myths circulating online?

Common doesn’t always mean well-understood in the medical field. With that in mind, we’re going to debunk 9 of the biggest migraine myths and provide you with hope that natural relief might just be within your reach.

Myth 1 – Migraines and Headaches Are the Same Thing

If you get migraines, then you’ve heard this one over and over, and it probably just about drives you mad. Here’s is the difference between a headache and a migraine. A headache is one symptom of a migraine (and is only actually present in about 85% of migraines). A migraine is a neurological condition with multiple symptoms. That’s right, migraines are in the same category of disease as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.

Myth 2 – Migraines Are All Just About Caffeine Consumption

Caffeine is a drug, and if your body becomes dependent, quitting cold turkey can cause headaches, but that doesn’t mean switching to decaf or getting off coffee altogether is the answer to migraines. Occasionally, a cup of coffee can help with a migraine. Why? Because it increases blood flow and migraines are often due to reduced blood flow to certain parts of the brain (more on that later).

Myth 3 – Migraines Are Genetic

About 90% of people who get migraines are related to someone who also gets them. Doesn’t that mean migraines are inherited? Nope. It just means that the genetic predisposition to migraines is passed on from parent to child. That explains why a child of a migraineur has a 50% chance of getting migraines, and if both parents get migraines those odds increase to 75%.

Myth 4 – You Can Just Take Supplements

Many who focus on natural health methods believe supplements are the answer to everything. Sometimes supplements are a great solution. However, you need to be sure that you are consulting with a physician to make sure the supplement you choose won’t interact with medications. You should also be on guard against allergens, the potential for overdose, and side effects. If your body has a deficiency that is causing the migraines, a blood test should show the problem. Then you will know which supplements to take.

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries, migraine myths, and migraines download our complimentary e-book Natural and Drug-Free Ways to End Your Migraines by clicking the image below.

Myth 5 – Migraines Are All About Diet

One of our favorite migraine myths is about diet. If you have food sensitivities, there may be certain things you have to avoid in order to keep from triggering migraines. But foods are rarely migraine triggers. It is far more common for triggers to include environmental factors, weather, and lifestyle choice. Eating healthy is certainly good for you. Just don’t expect it to cure your migraines.

Myth 6 – Medication Is the Best Migraine Treatment

We’re not knocking medication. There are times you just don’t want to be in pain and need to take something for it. But there is a danger in calling pain medication a migraine treatment. Pain medication doesn’t actually fix the underlying issue. In fact, many medications used for migraine pain can actually cause headaches and perpetuate a cycle of medication overuse. So don’t throw away all of your migraine medication, especially if you have found something that works for you. Just be sure that you are using the medication as directed and are aware of the potential side effects.

Myth 7 – Trauma Doesn’t Cause Migraines

Some of the top causes of migraines are car accidents, sports injuries, assault, and slip and fall accidents. But that doesn’t mean you have to start experiencing migraines from the day of the accident or injury for it to be related. If the initial trauma causes an upper cervical misalignment, it could be weeks, months, or even years before symptoms arise. So don’t write off that old injury as being unrelated to your migraines.

Myth 8 – Your Neck Pain Is Not a Migraine Symptom

Neck pain is one of the most common migraine symptoms. In fact, about 75% of patients have neck pain either prior to or during the headache phase of a migraine. That means that neck pain is almost as common of a migraine symptom as a throbbing headache. So don’t write off the neck pain as being unrelated. In fact, it may be your most important symptom.

Myth 9 – You Can’t Get Natural Relief from Migraines

If you are suffering from migraines, especially if you get neck pain on occasion or you have a history of physical trauma, there may be a very simple and natural solution – upper cervical chiropractic care. If the neck pain is due to an upper cervical misalignment or if a head or neck trauma caused such a misalignment, this can be creating the circumstances under which migraines occur. These circumstances include:

• Inhibited blood flow to the brain
• Reduced brainstem function
• Intracranial pressure due to lack of cerebrospinal fluid drainage

As a result, it just makes sense to have the top two bones in your neck examined by an upper cervical chiropractor.

Debunking Migraine Myths One at a Time

What do you think about the migraine myths we listed above? Do you use to believe in them? If you have been struggling with migraines for a long time because of your bad beliefs about the condition, we can help you here at Zehr Chiropractic.

We specialize in the alignment of the C1 and C2. So if you are experiencing migraines, come and our Norton Shores Upper Cervical Chiropractor clinic or call us at (231) 780-9900 for more information. Many patients have seen a dramatic reduction in the frequency and severity of migraines after having an upper cervical misalignment corrected. A consultation may even be your first step on the path to becoming migraine-free!

To schedule a complimentary consultation with a Norton Shores Upper Cervical Chiropractor, call 231-227-4495 or just click the button below.

If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.