Migraine Treatment
in Oxford
Migraines are far more than severe headaches — they are a distinct neurological condition that can be debilitating and significantly impact daily life. At Northwood Chiropractic, Dr. Steve Hulme uses the precise Gonstead System to identify the spinal contribution to your migraines and address it at the root.
Oxford Chiropractor
Migraines Are Not Just Headaches
Migraines affect a large proportion of the population and are very different from ordinary headaches. They are a complex neurological condition involving changes in brain activity, blood flow, and nerve signalling — and they can be accompanied by a range of other symptoms including visual disturbances, dizziness, nausea, and tingling.
At Northwood Chiropractic Oxford, migraines are one of the conditions we see most often and get very good results with. Our focus is on identifying what is contributing to the nervous system imbalance driving your migraines — rather than simply managing symptoms as they arise.
The better the underlying cause is defined, the more precisely it can be addressed. This is why our detailed, hands-on assessment is the essential starting point for every patient.
Common Migraine Symptoms
- Intense throbbing or pulsing pain — typically one-sided but can be both
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Nausea or vomiting
- Visual disturbances — flashing lights, blind spots, or zigzag patterns (aura)
- Tingling or numbness in the face, hands, or extremities
- Dizziness or difficulty with balance
- Difficulty speaking or finding words (in some types)
- Symptoms lasting anywhere from a few hours to several days
Why Migraines Cause
Other Symptoms — The Aura
Migraines produce what is known as cortical spreading depression — a wave of unstable electrical activity that travels across the brain. As one neuron fires, it triggers a cascade that spreads to neighbouring areas, producing the various symptoms of a migraine attack.
This wave often begins in the occipital lobe at the back of the brain — the vision processing centre — which is why visual disturbances are frequently the first symptom. From there the wave can spread to other areas, producing tingling, numbness, dizziness, and other aura symptoms depending on the individual.
Simultaneously, blood vessels within the brain become dilated, irritating the surrounding trigeminal nerve — which is believed to be the primary producer of migraine headache pain. This combination of electrical and vascular changes is what makes migraines so complex — and so different from ordinary tension headaches.
Early warning signs in the hours or days before — mood changes, food cravings, neck stiffness, increased thirst, or frequent yawning
Neurological symptoms caused by cortical spreading depression — visual disturbances, tingling, numbness, or speech difficulty lasting 20–60 minutes
Throbbing head pain — often one-sided — accompanied by nausea, light and sound sensitivity. Can last 4–72 hours without treatment
The "migraine hangover" — fatigue, brain fog, and sensitivity that can linger for up to 24 hours after the headache resolves
How the Spine Contributes to Migraines
Migraines are caused by an imbalance in the nervous system. The cervical spine plays a significant role in this — misalignment of the vertebrae can directly irritate the nerves that feed into the brain, contributing to the instability that triggers migraine attacks. Through our Gonstead assessment, we identify three key spinal contributions:
Cervical Nerve Irritation
Misalignment in the cervical spine creates pressure on nerve roots as they exit the spinal column. These nerves have direct connections to the trigeminal nerve complex — the primary pain-producing pathway in migraines. Reducing this nerve irritation through specific Gonstead adjustments can significantly reduce migraine frequency.
- Direct connection between cervical nerves and trigeminal pain pathways
- Misalignment often present for years before migraines develop
- Nervoscope scanning identifies the precise levels involved
- Specific Gonstead adjustments relieve the nerve pressure precisely
Nervous System Dysregulation
The spine is the gateway through which the brain communicates with the rest of the body. Spinal misalignment disrupts this communication, contributing to the nervous system instability — the state of heightened neuronal excitability — that makes migraine episodes more likely to occur and harder to recover from.
- Spinal misalignment increases overall nervous system sensitivity
- Restoring spinal alignment helps stabilise nervous system function
- Patients often report reduction in frequency as well as severity
- Works alongside rather than replacing medical management
Postural & Muscular Triggers
Poor posture, sustained screen use, stress, and muscular tension in the neck and shoulders are well-established migraine triggers. These postural factors often have an underlying spinal cause — making it important to address both the mechanical problem and the lifestyle contributors as part of a comprehensive care plan.
- Neck tension and poor posture are among the most common triggers
- Underlying spinal misalignment makes muscles more prone to tension
- Lifestyle and ergonomic advice included in every care plan
- Addressing triggers reduces frequency even between adjustments
Chiropractic Treatment
for Migraines
Migraines are something we see often and get very good results with. To achieve lasting results, we take the time to identify the precise spinal factors contributing to your migraines — rather than applying a generic approach that ignores the individual nature of each case.
Our five-step Gonstead assessment is specifically designed to identify exactly where spinal interference is occurring and correct it with a targeted adjustment. The better we define the problem, the more effective the solution.
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1
Full Health History
We take the time to understand your migraine pattern — frequency, duration, triggers, accompanying symptoms, and how long you have been suffering. This detail shapes every decision that follows.
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2
Nerve Scan (Nervoscope)
The Nervoscope detects temperature differentials along the spine indicating nerve irritation — identifying the precise cervical levels involved without guesswork.
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3
Neurological Testing
Reflex, sensation, and strength testing helps confirm which nerve roots are affected, assess the extent of involvement, and rule out any conditions requiring medical referral.
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4
Structural & Motion Analysis
We assess cervical posture, joint mobility, and spinal alignment to identify restrictions, compensations, and the mechanical factors contributing to your migraines.
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5
Results & Personalised Plan
At your second visit, we explain exactly what we found and present a clear, specific care plan — including what we can help with, realistic expectations, and any lifestyle adjustments that will support your recovery.
When to Seek Urgent Help
While migraines are rarely dangerous, seek urgent medical attention if you experience: a sudden severe headache unlike any before, headache with fever and stiff neck, new neurological symptoms such as weakness or speech difficulty, or headache following a head injury.
I've had problems with my back and neck for 40+ years. I've tried loads of things: Alexander Technique, acupuncture, Feldenkrais, osteopaths, massage, physiotherapy, Rolfing, Shiatsu. Nothing has really helped as much as seeing Dr. Steven Hulme. Everything is getting better and better. I wish I'd found the highly targeted and thorough Gonstead approach years ago.
Migraines & Chiropractic — FAQs
Can a Chiropractor help with migraines?
Yes. Migraines have a significant spinal component — misalignment in the cervical spine can directly contribute to the nervous system imbalance that triggers migraine episodes. By identifying and correcting these spinal misalignments, Gonstead Chiropractic care can reduce both the frequency and severity of migraines. It is one of the conditions we see most often and get very good results with.
What causes migraines?
Migraines are caused by an imbalance in the nervous system — specifically a state of heightened neuronal excitability that makes the brain more susceptible to triggering a migraine attack. Spinal misalignment in the cervical spine is a significant contributor to this instability, as it creates nerve irritation with direct connections to the trigeminal pain pathways involved in migraine. Other contributing factors include hormonal changes, stress, sleep disruption, and certain foods or environmental triggers.
What is a migraine aura?
The aura is caused by cortical spreading depression — a wave of electrical activity that travels across the brain. It often begins in the occipital lobe (the vision centre at the back of the head), which is why visual disturbances such as flashing lights, zigzag patterns, or blind spots are the most common first symptom. Other aura symptoms include tingling, numbness, dizziness, and speech difficulty. Not all migraine sufferers experience an aura — some have headache only, while others have aura without headache.
How is migraine different from a headache?
Migraines are a distinct neurological condition — not simply a severe headache. They involve cortical spreading depression, blood vessel changes, and trigeminal nerve irritation, and often come with aura symptoms such as visual disturbances, tingling, and nausea. They also typically progress through distinct phases — prodrome, aura, headache, and postdrome. While both migraines and headaches can have a cervical spine component, the assessment and care plan for migraines takes into account this neurological complexity.
How many sessions does it take to see results?
This depends on how long you have been suffering, the severity of your migraines, and the degree of spinal involvement identified at your assessment. Many patients notice a meaningful reduction in frequency or severity within the first few weeks of care. Dr. Hulme provides a clear, honest prognosis at your second visit — including realistic expectations based on your specific findings.
Can Chiropractic help if I am already on migraine medication?
Yes — Chiropractic care works alongside rather than replacing medical management. Many patients continue with their prescribed medication while undergoing Chiropractic care, and find that as their migraine frequency reduces, they need medication less often. We will always take a full medication history at your assessment and factor this into your care plan. We never advise patients to stop medication without consulting their GP.
Do I need a GP referral to see a Chiropractor for migraines?
No. Chiropractors are primary healthcare practitioners and you can book directly without a GP referral. If your assessment reveals anything that falls outside our scope of care, we will refer you to the appropriate professional promptly and without hesitation.
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