Migraine Headache Info
Fountain Hills Chiropractor Confesses Why Migraine Headaches Made Him Want To Become A Doctor!
My Migraine History and How It Benefits You.
I’m Sure Some Of You Have Had Similar Experiences…
Like I said earlier I’m a chiropractor. How I became a chiropractor is the real story and that’s what truly will benefit you, the migraine sufferer. Back in the mid-eighties I was employed by a large telecommunications company. I was selling data lines to businesses for their computer communications. I was always on the road going from one location to another. With all this traveling the chance of me getting in an accident got pretty good, actually a little too good. I got into 3 rear end accidents over 2 years. It seemed like everyone wanted to run into the back of my car, and they did.
The onset of the migraines really didn’t happen for several months but I had been having unusual symptoms since the first accident. For example; fatigue, constant yawning, intermittent neck pain, muscle tension were all precursors to what was coming next. In all actuality I was already having migraines, they just weren’t manifesting in the normal way yet.
Withing several weeks I went from having just the symptoms listed above to having full-blown debilitating migraine everyday! It became very difficult to perform at work or to enjoy life in general. After suffering daily for over a year a family member suggested I go see a chiropractor. At this point I was willing to try anything to get relief. I’m sure you can relate.
I made the appointment and had my first adjustment. I immediately had a noticeable change in my symptoms. The constant malaise and vice-like grip on my head was gone. Well, not completely gone but significantly better. Over the next few weeks of care I saw greater and greater improvement. Less headaches, not as intense, shorter in duration and a lot less tension overall. That’s when I had one of those perfect moments of clarity and realized that it was time for me to switch careers and become a chiropractor. I still get adjusted consistently to maintain the level of health I reached back then.
Through years of migraine suffering, schooling, practice, and the multitudes of patients, I have gained a keen insight into the understanding of migraine headaches that only personal experience can give.
Causes And Types Of Migraines
What Is This And Where Did It Come From?
All the known causes of migraine headaches would take entirely too long to list, so for the purpose of this article we will discuss the most prevalent. Just remember that all these causes are just theory and not proven by medical science.
The most common cause of migraine is stress. It is shown that many people develop headaches in times of extreme emotional or physical stress.
Many different foods and dietary factors have been know triggers of headaches. Wine and chocolate, nuts (especially peanuts & almonds), some fermented or processed cheese, caffeine (can also take away a migraine in certain cases), alcohol, MSG (mono sodium glutamate), other cured or processed meat, and food additives in general.
Smoking, with all the toxins in cigarettes it’s a no-brainer. Missing a meal (hunger headaches) is just as important as avoiding the above listed foods. Dehydration can cause terrible migraines, so drink plenty of water. Changes in sleep patterns, birth-control pills (estrogen withdrawal headaches), and this is just a partial list of the most common triggers of migraines but there are many other less common causes.
Most Common Types Of Migraines
There are many types of headaches and migraines. From common migraines to vascular (artery/vein) headaches, cluster headaches, sinus headaches, tension headaches, and cervicogenic headaches. It’s important to understand that not every headache type that I have listed above is a migraine but they can produce migraine-like pain and intensity.
The most common (debatably between cervicogenic) headache for children and adults is the tension headache. Also know as the “normal daily headache” (I personally dislike this term since no one should ever suffer with a “normal daily headache”) tension headaches are caused by contractions in the muscles of the neck and head. About a decade ago one of the big drug companies had an advertisement on TV that said “For that normal everyday headache take 2 (of these) for relief”. After several months they were asked to remove the ad from TV, so just remember there is NO such thing as a “normal everyday headache”.
Sinus headaches, while technically not migraines can cause excruciating facial and sinus pain across the forehead, cheekbones, and bridge of the nose. They usually are accompanied by other sinus symptoms associated with allergies and colds.
Cervicogenic headaches are very common and not all that different from the tension headache. While tension headaches are mainly muscle in origin the cervicogenic headache is caused by spinal problems. Spinal misalignments (subluxations) restrict the motion of the neck and irritate several nerves (and possibly arteries) that go into the head. Cervicogenic headaches can mimic classic migraines and have the same debilitating results.
The classic migraine affects both men and women but is more common in females (75% females to 25% males). They are typically unilateral (on one side), can pulsate or throb, and have been known to cause nausea, vomiting, photophobia (light sensitive). and phonophobia (sound sensitive). Many people suffering from migraines mention having an “aura” or pre onset symptom before the actual headache takes hold. Auras may take the form of unusual smells that aren’t there or visual abnormalities or any sensory experience that warns of the oncoming migraine.
Cluster headaches are the least common and that’s good because they are the most severe. They can be as much as 100 times more intense than the common migraine. Affecting men in their thirties or forties 3 to 1 over women they are called cluster headache because they come in small groups during a certain time-frame. A person may have 2-3 a day during this period of time (cluster) and then have them disappear for months or years or forever. They seem to be linked to circadian rhythms (internal biological clock) since they have a tendency to happen at the same times of the year. Mistaken for sinus headaches they can cause eye tearing, congestion, nasal discharge and knife-like pain behind the eye.
Migraine Headache Help
What I Can Do Naturally To Help My Problem
There are quite a few ways to help avoid and deal with migraine headache pain:
1) Avoid the things that can cause migraines. Remember above we talked about “triggers”. It’s important to eliminate the trigger that can initiate a migraine in you! If you get a headache every time you eat chocolate, well it is a pretty good bet that chocolate is one of your triggers. You get the idea. Sometimes you need to eliminate certain foods from your diet then slowly reintroduce them to see if they elicit a headache.
2) Exercise! Working out is a great way to relieve stress and tension which are both big causes of migraines.
3) If you already have a headache use ice on your neck and a cold compress on your forehead.
4) Avoid bright light at all cost since this will only irritate the migraine.
5) Massage the base of your neck and temples with deep pressure.
6) With tension or cervicogenic headaches many times a hot shower and rest will help reduce the problem.
7) Especially with cervicogenic headaches always make sure you have a good pillow. Poor neck posture can cause problems.
Avoid loud noise since this will only intensify the headache.
9) Chiropractic care can make a huge difference in the onset and relief of migraines.
