Are you struggling with migraines?
Migraines are more than headaches. They can wipe you out for days and leave you feeling totally depleted.
If you’re experiencing migraines, it is a good idea to see our Osteopaths. We can help release tension in your muscles, joints and nerves, promoting natural healing.
What is a migraine?
The exact mechanisms of migraines are not known. Generally speaking, migraine is believed to be a neurovascular disorder – meaning there is a disturbance in the way blood moves to and from the brain and brainstem.
However, another theory claims that a migraine is caused by vascular changes in the brain and researchers determined migraines are preceded by a blood flow increase of nearly 300 percent.
What causes migraines?
- An underlying central nervous disorder may set off a migraine episode when triggered.
- Irregularities in the brain’s blood vessel system, or vascular system, may cause migraines.
- A genetic predisposition may cause migraine.
- Abnormalities of brain chemicals and nerve pathways may cause migraine episodes.
What can trigger a migraine?
- Food. Salty foods or aged foods, such as cheese and salami, may cause migraine headaches. In addition, highly processed foods can also trigger a migraine.
- Skipping meals. People with a history of migraines shouldn’t skip meals or fast, unless it’s done under a doctor’s supervision.
- Stress. Perhaps the biggest culprit of all, stress is a trigger for almost 70% of people with migraine, and one study revealed that 50-70% of people had a significant association between their daily stress level and their daily migraine activity. When you add the perpetual worry of when the next attack will strike, it can start to feel like a never-ending, exhausting cycle.
- Hormones. Hormone shifts are a common migraine trigger for women. Many women report developing migraine headaches right before or even during their period. Others report hormone-induced migraines during pregnancy or menopause. That’s because estrogen levels change during these time and can trigger a migraine episode.
- Caffeine and Alcohol. Many people find their migraine symptoms are heightened after consuming caffeine or alcohol. Conversely, other people say that a cup of coffee can stop their migraine symptoms, and some medications designed to fight migraine pain may contain a dose of caffeine. Although migraine patients consider red wine the principal alcoholic migraine trigger, studies show that other types of alcohol are just as likely—and sometimes even more frequently—the culprit.
- Weather changes. What Mother Nature is doing outside may affect how you feel on the inside. Changes in weather and shifts in barometric pressure can trigger a migraine.
- Changes in or an irregular sleep schedule. If you’re not getting regular, routine sleep, you may experience more migraines. Don’t bother trying to “make up” for lost sleep on the weekends, either. Too much sleep is just as likely to cause a headache as too little.
- Light. For many migraine patients, natural light is the enemy. This condition is called Photophobia, and it is actually one of the criteria used to diagnose migraine. Both natural, bright light and fluorescent or flickering bulbs are problematic, making it difficult to spend time outside or be in an office environment.
How can Osteopathy help migraines?
Osteopathic treatments target the underlying physical conditions that cause chronic pain and illness.
Through hands-on therapy, Osteopathy can relax muscle spasms and release areas of tension in the body. This allows better movement and drainage of body fluids and assists the body’s natural healing process.
Osteopathic treatment can help relieve migraine pain. Additionally, treatment can also help restore the body’s ability to function and move well.
If you are experiencing migraines, our Osteopaths will provide you with an initial assessment and a treatment plan. Book your assessment today!