Three Ways To Help Children Suffering With Migraines

Three Ways To Help Children Suffering With Migraines

Key Takeaways

Healthy daily habits (sleep, hydration, regular meals, movement) may help reduce migraine triggers in kids.
Upper cervical-focused chiropractic care is sometimes discussed for migraine support, but evidence in children is limited and care should be individualized.
Tracking patterns (foods, stress, screen time, skipped meals) can help families identify common migraine triggers.
A provider evaluation matters when headaches are frequent, severe, or changing—especially in children.

Dr. Jeremy Sedlock has us look at a few natural ways a person can fight the pain of migraines. Some of the ways included a brief glimpse into a form of chiropractic that focuses on aligning the upper cervical vertebrae. Today I want to take a look at that form of chiropractic again and how it relates to children suffering from migraine headaches, but before we do, I want look at a couple of other ways you can fight migraine pain.

#1 - Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Yes, I know, I know, it sounds cliché, but cliché can save you a lot of headaches. (no pun intended) The first thing I want you to know, it that living a healthy lifestyle is a lifestyle. And living a healthy lifestyle means changing your daily habits.

#2 - Don’t Stress Out

I know it's hard do to, but your ability to manage your stress, anxiety and depression could mean the difference between a migraine attack and migraine relief. Don't let anyone fool you, the ability to manage stress is completely within your control. You can manage your stress by meditating, taking a walk, doing yoga, breathing deeply, or anything else that helps you relax.

#3 - Another Look at Upper Cervical

As I said earlier, we looked at this specific and gentle form of chiropractic last week with Dr. Jermey Sedlock. Today we are going to look at it again. Upper Cervical Chiropractic can not only offer you relief from your headache and migraine pain, but it can also get to the source of your migraines and eliminate them completely. I can't even begin to tell you how many "medical doctors" overlook this hidden cause.

An Upper Cervical misalignment is more often than not, the source cause of migraine headaches. Now here's the deal, most people never even know this is what's causing their migraines. Why? ....because unless you have this area of your spine evaluated by a qualified Upper Cervical Chiropractor, you'll never know as this area of your spine cannot be self-examined and medical doctors do not receive this specific training in school. An Upper Cervical Chiropractor can examine your upper cervical spine for any misalignments that may be the underlying cause of your migraine pain.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized medical guidance. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are common migraine triggers in children?

Common triggers for children’s migraines include irregular sleep, dehydration, skipped meals, stress or anxiety, bright lights, strong smells, too much screen time, and certain foods. Triggers can be different for each child. Keeping a simple headache diary (sleep, meals, activities, symptoms) often helps families spot patterns and reduce avoidable triggers.

How can a healthy lifestyle help a child with migraines?

A consistent routine can make migraines less likely for many kids. Regular sleep and wake times, steady hydration, balanced meals and snacks, and daily movement help stabilize the body’s stress response. Small changes—like not skipping breakfast and limiting late-night screens—may reduce the frequency of headaches over time. A provider can help tailor habits to your child.

Can chiropractic care help children with migraines?

Some families explore conservative care like chiropractic for migraine support, including approaches that focus on the upper neck (upper cervical spine). Research on migraine and spinal manipulation is mixed, and pediatric-specific evidence is limited. If you’re considering chiropractic care, look for a provider experienced in pediatric care, and coordinate with your child’s primary care provider for safety and appropriate evaluation.

What is upper cervical chiropractic care, and why is it mentioned for migraines?

Upper cervical chiropractic care is a technique that focuses on the top two neck vertebrae (C1 and C2) and how their alignment and movement may affect the head and neck. It’s sometimes discussed because neck tension and certain headache types can overlap with migraine symptoms. It isn’t a guaranteed solution, but some patients report symptom improvement as part of a broader plan.

When should a child with headaches be evaluated by a healthcare provider?

Seek a provider evaluation if headaches are new and severe, getting worse, happening more often, or interfering with school and sleep. It’s also important to get checked if headaches follow a head injury, come with fainting, weakness, vision changes, persistent vomiting, fever with stiff neck, or behavior changes. A proper exam helps rule out urgent causes and guides safe care.

Sources

Migraine in Children and Adolescents — National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) (2024)
Headaches in Children — NHS (2023)
Migraine — World Health Organization (WHO) (2022)

Key Takeaways

#1 - Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

#2 - Don’t Stress Out

#3 - Another Look at Upper Cervical

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

Related articles

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, lumbosacral region: What Patients Need to Know

Understanding Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Symptoms, Causes, and Conservative Care

Should my child get adjusted by a Chiropractor?