June is Migraine Awareness Month

By Debra Mills and Dr. Trina Ting

What is a migraine? Many of us would describe it as a very bad headache, but there are usually some distinct features that set it apart from a regular headache:

• Typically unilateral (one side of the face or head)

• Throbbing, pulsing pain – often debilitating in which you cannot perform simple activities

• Sometimes accompanied with nausea, sensitivity to light, and/or vomiting

• Sometimes preceded by an aura – bright lights or blind spots in your visual field, even numbness or tingling in the face

At the end of a long day of work staring at a computer or an afternoon entertaining at a 7-year-olds birthday party, your head may be screaming at you. There are treatments that could alleviate a migraine and possibly reduce the frequency of them that aren’t found in a medication bottle.

Chiropractic

Spinal Adjustments: Neck misalignments can trigger nerve irritation which cause migraines.  Chiropractic care is particularly useful for headaches that start in the neck and tension headaches. Additionally, chiropractic care that involves no twisting or turning to the neck such as the ProAdjuster would potentially be a better option for patients who experience regular migraines, as people with regular migraines are prone to vascular issues that increase their risk for stroke.

Massage/ Soft Tissue Therapy: An RMT knows the spots that need attention.  They may be able to do trigger point therapy, and deep tissue massage to reduce muscle knots in the neck and shoulders.

Lifestyle Changes

Stretching: Gentle movement of the neck can help improve mobility and ease stiffness.  Try to roll your head in circles and look side-to-side every hour to keep your muscles limber.  If you are a person who loves to scroll on a cellphone, these moves may help prevent “tech neck” from looking down so much.

Set the Scene: Keep ergonomics in mind when in your workspace.  Sit straight and put your monitor up to eye level so you aren’t looking too high or low to see it.  This can get you in a better position to reduce strain on your neck and back.   Why not do a couple circles now?

Dietary Changes: Omega-3’s, like those found in Genestra’s Super EFA Liquid and oily fish are great for supporting brain health. B vitamins are often recommended for those with chronic headaches.

Migraines come and go and can be unpredictable.  Keeping up on your care can ease intensity and, hopefully, reduce the frequency.  Sometimes over-the-counter medications have side effects or interactions that could make you feel worse than the migraine. Chiropractic care, massage, nutrition and lifestyle changes are gentler alternatives to conventional medication.  After all, no one wants to feel worse from the treatment! When chiropractic treatments are combined with exercises, supplements and/or massage, you are able to target both symptoms and root cause. Keeping the migraines at bay doesn’t have to be hard.  Small changes can have big results.

For more information on how chiropractic care can help with migraines visit: https://migrainecanada.org/