Migraines are a debilitating neurological condition known for extreme head pain as the major symptom. It is a common condition affecting as many as 1 billion people worldwide. Women are more likely to get migraines than men. When a migraine hits, it can really knock you off your feet. You may be forced to lie down in a cool, dark room until the pain eases. This can have a direct impact on your career, your family life, and social situations. You may live in fear of committing to anything because you never know when the next one will hit.
Symptoms of migraines include:
- Throbbing or pounding head pain usually located on one side but not always
- Sensitivity to light, sound, or certain odors
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Visual disturbances
The pain from migraines can last several hours or several days. Some people get a warning called an aura before the migraine pain hits. This can include changes in vision, seeing spots or flashes of light, blind spots, or tingling on one side of your face, your leg, or arm.
What Triggers Migraines?
It is a good idea to keep track of what occurs before you get a migraine. Writing down what you ate, what the weather was like, what your stress levels were, and where you were can show you a pattern to help you identify your triggers. Here are some common triggers:
- Changes in hormones for women: Estrogen fluctuations can trigger migraines for some women. Many report getting a migraine just before or during their periods. Others see an increase in migraines during pregnancy or menopause.
- Food: Salty food, aged cheeses, and processed foods can all be to blame. Be alert to not skip meals or let your blood sugar drop too low as this may be a trigger.
- Food additives: Aspartame, MSG (monosodium glutamate), and nitrates can cause migraines.
- Stress: Physical or psychological can bring about migraine pain.
- Drinks: Highly caffeinated beverages, wine, and alcohol should be limited.
- Changes in sleep patterns: Missing sleep or getting too much sleep can be a trigger for migraines, as well as jet lag.
- Sensory stimuli: The glare of the sun, bright, flashing lights, and loud noises can bring on migraines. Certain odors can also be to blame – perfume, cigarette smoke, paint thinner, or certain food smells.
- Medication: Birth control and vasodilators (nitroglycerin) aggravate migraines.
- Changes in the environment: Weather changes and barometric pressure changes are known to cause migraines.
- Physical factors: Intense physical activity may bring on migraines.
What Causes Migraines?
Migraines are not well understood. However, it appears environmental factors, as well as genetics, can play a part in them. It has been noted that migraines can be due to a change within the brainstem and how it interacts with the trigeminal nerve (a major pain pathway). Another contributing factor may be an imbalance in the chemicals in the brain. This includes serotonin, the chemical responsible for regulating pain in your nervous system. It has been seen that serotonin drops when migraines hit. It is possible this makes the trigeminal nerve release substances called neuropeptides that travel to the brain’s outer covering. This may be one reason for migraine pain. There are other neurotransmitters that play a role in the pain of migraines, such as calcitonin gene-related peptide.
What Research Through MRIs has Revealed
The upright MRI is a machine used for evaluating the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the spine. Basically, this tells us how much fluid is going to and leaving the brain. A study of two people who had been suffering greatly from migraines after going through car accidents revealed some interesting information. The MRI showed the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid was indeed interrupted. Why was this happening? There was a misalignment in the bones of the upper cervical spine in each of these people, and it acted as an obstruction to the vital fluid that needs to reach the brain. The misalignment caused a backup of fluid that needed to remove metabolic waste from the brain. This was causing intracranial pressure and, in turn, migraines.
They were both given an adjustment by an upper cervical chiropractor. The results? The MRI revealed that the cerebrospinal fluid was once again back to normal flow. Within the next hour, both reported seeing their migraine pain almost entirely gone. And, it was not just a temporary fix. They reported seeing long-term results and only needed additional adjustments if their migraines began reoccurring.
What This Means for Your Migraines
There is a good chance that if you suffer from migraines, you may also have a misalignment in the bones of the upper cervical spine, particularly the C1 and C2 vertebrae. If the cerebrospinal fluid is backing up within the brain, the pressure caused can lead to migraines and a number of additional health problems, such as numbness, tingling, and neck pain. To get help, it is important to visit a professional who is experienced in realigning the neck bones.
Migraine Treatment Manila Philippines
Here at N8 Upper Cervical, we use a gentle method that allows the bones to move back into place more naturally without popping or cracking the spine. It involves gentle pressure to a specific part of the neck coinciding with the area of the misalignment. Adjustments are only given as needed. Initially, we may need to work with you more often, but as time passes and your neck bones remain in proper position, we can see you less often. Sometimes as little as once every other month or so. This type of adjustment leads to long-lasting results.
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