03/09/2020
Let's talk Migraines
What are they and what causes them?
The International Headache Society classifies a headache as a migraine when you have at least two of these symptoms:
one sided headache
moderate to severe
throbbing pain
aggravated by movement
AND you have one of these associated symptoms:
nausea
vomiting
sensitivity to light
sensitivity to noise
AND the headache lasts for between 4 and 72 hours.
You may also have other symptoms that can include
sensitivity to smell
aura (visual disturbances such as bright zigzag lines, flashing lights, difficulty in focusing or blind spots lasting 20-45 minutes)
difficulty in concentrating, confusion
About 5 million Australians are estimated to suffer from migraines, and 70% of those are women. They are much more common if you have immediate family who suffers from migraine, and therefore though to be partly hereditary.
Exactly why we get migraines isn’t completely understood, however we do know that
essentially, migraine is caused by the interaction between the brain and the cranial blood vessels. We can think of migraines a bit like a “thunderstorm" in our nervous system where our brains become irritable and hypersensitive to senses and stimulation.
In migraine there is a change to the release of neurotransmitters in our brain, adrenaline is release from our adrenal glands and there is a rush of blood in the circulation to the brain. The cranial nerve nuclei become irritated and very active resulting in the feeling of pain in the head (often on one side) along with sensitivities to sensations.
As an Osteopath I have been helping people with Migraines for 2 decades, and I have seen that rarely two migraines are that are experienced exactly the same. Sometimes they are a one-off event, and sometimes come more regularly.
If you would like to talk to me about your headaches, I offer a complimentary 10 minute phone consultation where we can discuss what you are experiencing and some of the best ways to help improve your quality of living. I’d love to help!
Corey Dyer is an Osteopath with over 22 years of experience helping people improve their symptoms of headaches and migraine. He uses a holistic multi-facet approach that may combine the use of Cranial Osteopathic manual therapy, spinal manual therapy, postural correction exercise therapy, breath work/meditation and dietary anti-inflammatory advice.
www.pro-care.com.au
