Migraines are common, but can be debilitating. About 10% of the population experiences them, with 3/4 of cases affecting women. They are one of the leading causes of lost work days. Your Osteopath may be able to help with long term management and prevention of the condition.
Symptoms of Migraine
It is a common misconception that a migraine is just a bad headache. Although the headache can be one symptom, migraines are wider reaching than the headache alone.
The ICHD breaks down migraine into 3 types:
- Migraine without aura
- Migraine with aura
- Chronic migraine
Headache Characteristics
As with auras, the headache itself can vary dramatically from person to person. Typically it has a throbbing or pulsating character and is limited to one side of the head. The headache itself can last anywhere from 4 hours to 3 days. The pain is moderate to severe and aggravated by exercise, light, and noise. A diagnosis can be made when enough of these symptoms are present, and the headaches are recurrent. As these symptoms can be indicative of other conditions, diagnosis hinges on the headaches occurring at least 5 times.
Migraine Aura
The aura is the collection of symptoms that can come on at the start of an episode. Some people find that reacting to these symptoms can stop the development of the migraine, but not everyone experiences an aura.
An aura might include:
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Visual disturbances such as flashing lights or zig zags
- Nausea or vomiting
- Speech or movement disturbances
Note that nausea and light or sound sensitivity may persist throughout the headache, but other symptoms are expected to last no more than an hour.
Managing and Preventing Migraines
Despite the prevalence of migraines, the exact cause has not yet been identified. Ideas that there may be a vascular cause are becoming less popular as a neurological theory is taking over. There may also be a relationship with problems in the neck.
With this in mind, we may be able to help. Osteopaths look at the body as a whole, allowing us to spot patterns of dysfunction. If your neck is part of the problem, treatment for the muscles and joints of the neck might have a positive impact on your migraines. This approach might be particularly suitable for you if your migraines tend to coincide with neck pain itself.
Manual therapy has been shown to be as effective, if not more than some medications prescribed for migraines.
Spotting Patterns
We have the time in our appointments to help you to spot potential triggers for your migraines too. It helps to keep a diary of foods and drinks consumed, as well as stress levels, exercise, or anything else that you think might play a role. Sugar and caffeine are often considered risk factors, but you might find other foods can initiate your symptoms too. Hormonal links are well documented, with puberty, pregnancy, and menopause coinciding with the onset or change of symptoms. If applicable, you might want to add your hormonal cycle to your pain diary.
You can download a free Migraine Diary from The Migraine Trust.
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