Headaches alone can really ruin someone’s day, however migraine headaches can be unbearable. Why in Taiwan alone, migraines account for about 3.7 million annual sick days (J Chinese Med. Association, 2008; 71:74-8). While we don’t know all the reasons migraines manifest themselves, through our practice, we have come to the conclusion that the madness of migraines can be multi-factorial. Migraines can often occur due to excessive constriction and dilation of the blood vessels going to the brain. Migraine symptoms can vary from auras or visual disturbances to a deep full pain in the forehead and/or eyes. We have had patients even complain of tingling down their arms and legs when they had migraine headaches. Because studies show that women will likely encounter a migraine headache 3 times more than men, has lead many researchers to believe that there is a hormonal component to this persistent problem. Here are a couple of options for you to consider.
Chiropractic Adjustments:
Limitations in forward head posture and neck mobility can lead to amplified tension in selected facial and occipital muscles. When there is restricted movement in the neck, the nerves from those areas can become irritated causing improper communication between the various body systems. Properly administered chiropractic adjustments can help relieve neck tension and migraine symptoms by restoring neck mobility. Various studies have showed that chiropractic adjustments can help with the tension-type headaches that have migraine-like symptoms (Headache, 2005; 45:738-746).
Supplemental considerations:
Vitamin supplements can aid the body’s natural abilities to ward off the migraines. For instance, a deficiency in 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) has shown links to increased migraines. Supplementing a healthy diet with this amino acid can help relieve migraines. For those of you who like to know how, 5-HTP helps regulate (neurotransmitters) serotonin and melatonin which have shown to have significant impacts on sleep production and regulation of emotions. If a deficiency in 5-HTP is suspected, consult your holistic health practitioner to see if a supplement of 5-HTP might help your situation.
Other considerations to relieve tension:
- Using essential oils like peppermint, marjoram, and lavender along certain pressure points along the face and neck can help.
- Taking a warm shower or resting in a dark room have been proven to relieve migraine tension.
- Raising your blood sugar level with juice, especially tomato juice can give some migraine relief.