Migraines

Migraines are a neurological condition that can be debilitating. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders 10 percent of people get migraines. It cannot be denied that for many sufferers of migraines there is family history of this condition and family history needs to be taken into account when learning about your migraines. Migraines can begin in childhood or may not occur until early adulthood or menopausally. Women are more likely than men to have migraines.

A migraine is much more than a headache for it can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head or behind the eyes. Some people get warnings that it is starting, others can come on very suddenly. For some people their migraines can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and/or light/sound sensitivity. Migraine attacks can last from hours to days. The pain for many can interfere with daily routine.

Here at Possum Hollow we help prevent the migraines from happening. Our aim is that your migraines happen less often, less severely, are shorter in duration or eliminated all together. This article helps teach us more about migraines and looks at some of the triggers. The more you learn about your migraine triggers, the easier it is to get help.

Triggers for migraine sufferers

Chocolate (caffeine and sugar)
MSG
Nitrates as found in cured meats
Neck issues/stiffness
Hormones – before, during or after menstruation/ovulation. It is good to look for a pattern
Liver congestion – this can be toxins or hormones
Stress – tiredness, irritability
Bright lights (although I have one client who is worse on overcast days)
Dehydration
Changes in barometric pressure
Loud sounds
Intense physical activity
Smoking
Alcohol
Travel sickness/ Jet-lag
Oral contraceptives

Symptoms of a migraine aura

Some people get a migraine aura – this a warning of a neurological migraine about to start

Difficult speaking clearly
Feeling tingly or pricky sensation in face, arms or legs
Tempory vision loss or disturbances
Pressure behind the eyes
Light sensitivity

The migraine can be described for some as

Pulsating in the head
Throbbing
Constant pain behind the eyes
Perforating pain
Pounding pain
Debilitating pain
Unrelenting pain
Vestibular migraine – includes vertigo
50 percent get digestive symptoms – nausea, vomiting with their migraine
No headache but get nauseated and vomiting

Migraines are not all the same, different people experience them differently.

Treatments or prevention

Identify the triggers to avoid
Stay hydrated
Avoid skipping meals
Get quality sleep
Quit smoking
Reduce stress in your life
Learn relaxation techniques
Exercise regularly
Talk to practitioner about detoxing and dietary help
Talk to practitioners about magnesium, anti-inflammatories, vitamins, blood flow to the brain, detox, hormonal balancing, aromatherapy.
Glasses/ sunglasses/ blue light blocking glasses
Remedial massage, NST or osteopathy
Jaw assessment

"Remedial massage is great for relieving and preventing headaches or migraines caused by muscles tension in the neck, jaw and shoulders. With tension in these areas it puts extensive load on all the muscles supporting the head on our neck, hence leading to tension headaches and/or migraines. Migraines can also be caused from excess physical emotional or mental stress: massage is an effective way at reducing stress across the whole body and reducing chances of stress induced migraines" - Benjamin Osborn

Questions to ask

Are your migraines due to excess blood flow or blood flow constriction?
Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor- so does it help or hinder? Caffeine is addictive and is an added toxin to the liver therefor it helps to relieve the addiction but then in the caffeine withdrawal time a migraine may occur.
Estrogen dominance or estrogen drop?
Is your thyroid over or underactive? Do you have a thyroid antibody problem?
Are you holding fluid?
Do you respond to B2, B6 or B12?
Do you clam your jaw when you are stressed?