About Migraines
What most people who suffer from migraines don’t recognise is that the pain you experience can indeed be relieved naturally. Although, visiting a chiropractor for your migraine probably hasn’t crossed your mind, it may be time for you to do just that. The team at The Melbourne Chiropractor have the skills and knowledge to help you combat and reduce migraines.
What is a migraine?
A migraine is a severe headache that can cause a pulsating sensation in a specific region of the head and is accompanied by sensitivity to light, vomiting, and nausea. Migraines are triggered by the enlargement of blood vessels in the head which is called vasodilation.
Migraine triggers
Migraines can be triggered by environmental factors, physical or emotional stresses. The most common migraine triggers include:
- Hormonal Changes
- Chocolate
- Red Wine
- Processed Foods
- Artificial Sweeteners
- Caffeine
- Stress
- Medications
- Weather changes
- Changes in Sleep
- Bright Lights
- Perfumes, Paint or Smoke
- Computer Screens
- Dehydration
- Vigorous Exercise
Who is prone to migraines?
Unlike a “general” headaches, migraines can have a detrimental affect on a person’s life. For example, some migraine sufferers aren’t even able to go to work. However, the pain isn’t the only thing that accompanies migraines. Migraine sufferers also report experiencing flickering in the nerves or seeing black spots before the migraine attack. Similarly, one of the most severe after-effects of migraines includes fear of noises, sounds and other environmental triggers.
Although everyone can suffer migraines, including children, the below factors increase the risk:
- 90% of migraine sufferers have a history of migraine attacks in their family
- Females have an increased incidence of migraines than Males
- Hormonal Fluctuations Like Pregnancy and Menopause
- Stress and Sleep Changes
How to treat and prevent migraines
Migraines are usually treated with medication. However, medications don’t work on any underlying issues, most of which can cause a number of side effects.
The best way to prevent migraines and their severity is through identifying the triggers. The easiest way to do this is to create a “headache diary” which contains the following information:
- What and when you eat
- Information about delayed or missed meals
- Medication
- Work and social activities
- Bowel movements
- Intake of any health products such as supplements or vitamins
- Exercise
- Amount of sleep
- Environmental factors like weather changes
- Menstrual cycle details
- The onset of pain
- The affected head area
- The severity and duration of the migraine attack
- Other symptoms that come with the attack like vomiting or nausea
You should review your headache diary after experiencing at least three migraine attacks. Keeping a diary regularly will tell you what factors repeat in association with the migraine attack, and you can identify your trigger.
Do you need a chiropractor’s help?
If you’re sick and tired of using medications that only mask the issues you are having and are not getting any significant results then our team at The Melbourne Chiropractor are here to help!
Recent clinical studies confirm that chiropractic can help prevent and alleviate migraine attacks by alleviating stress in patient’s. Stress is a major migraine trigger, and with the crazy lifestyle people live today, it’s no wonder that migraine attacks have become more frequent than ever.
In some people, migraines can originate from the spine. Muscle tightness and immobility of the vertebrae with or without nerve irritation can have a detrimental affect on the brain itself. These changes to the human body increases the individuals chances of developing certain issues due to various chemical imbalances in the brain. Chiropractors can help mobilise, strengthen and alleviate tension within surrounding musculature and the vertebrae to decrease the pressure against inflamed spinal nerves and relieve the pain.
