Migraines are one of the most common problems seen in GP practices and hospitals around the world. The intense nature of symptoms can be a real cause for concern, especially if you have not experienced such symptoms in the past. But not to worry! Despite the horrible and debilitating nature of the migraine, it is rarely a cause for serious medical concern.
Not to worry? Are you kidding me? Despite the medics not having a great deal of concern about your migraines we at Hardiman Performance are. Let’s learn a little more about these shall we…..
What is a migraine?
One sided head pain which may be associated with aura (most commonly a hazy patch in your visual field followed by patches of light in different patterns) and in 40% of cases areas of numbness (face, arm, tongue, hand). Pain can be moderate to severe and sometimes pulsatile which builds up over a period of a few hours spreading backwards in the process.
Unfortunately these nasty buggers can last anywhere between a few hours and days. Other symptoms which may be associated are nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting (physically getting sick). Sensitivity to light and noise are also very common.
What causes my migraine?
Unfortunately the medical professions are still undecided on the cause of migraines. There are however a few theories;
1) Vascular Theory – The veins in your head go through a period of constriction which causes the aura and then as the body responds the veins dilate which results in rapid increase in pressure and the migraine.
2) Nervous Theory – Unstable activity within the autonomic nervous system (ANS) . The ANS is the part of the nervous system which controls body functions which are not controlled consciously. Examples of these are breathing, heart rate, digestion etc.
The ANS is influenced by many things, stress being the most prominent. Now this stress doesn’t have to be the “pull your hair out and scream at the top of your voice” type of stress.
Most of the time it is a lot less obvious than that. Subtle things like being stuck in traffic, running late for work, missing your train, and losing your keys, all enough to trigger a migraine.
Where me keys, where me fone?
The ANS lives in close proximity to the thoracic spine (mid to upper back) and rib cage. Therefore postural issues, muscle tension and joint inflammation in the region may cause increased sensitivity to the ANS and may lead to migraine.
3) – Stimuating Factor Theory/ Triggers – I’m sure many of you have an idea of what may be triggering your migraines but if not here are a list of a few key things which may have some influence:
- Hormonal changes – menstruation, puberty, menopause
- Food allergies – Gluten, dairy, nuts etc
- Rapid blood sugar changes – fasting, missed meals, heavy sugar intake
- Vasoactive foods – red wine, cheese, chocolate, coffee, tea, alcohol, MSG.
What can I do to help with my migraines?
1) – Identify the triggers and do your best to avoid them.
Is the 5 mins of eating that galaxy chocolate bar really worth the 5 hours of intense headache after? Maybe, maybe not. I’m not here to judge.
2) – Eat regular meals with moderate carb intake to avoid dips in blood sugar levels.
3) – Address the postural issues, muscle and joint tension in your upper/mid back and neck by regularly practicing some form of movement practice (yoga, pilates, martial arts) or by seeing an osteopath.
4) – Try to manage your stress accordingly. We cannot avoid the many stresses that we come into contact with on a daily basis but what we can do it find a way to balance that stress.
Find an outlet for the stress by doing some exercise, socialising with friends, meditating, watching a comedy, reading a novel, whatever. Just find something which will add some balance and counter the stresses in your life.
Right now migraine sufferers, there is plenty for you to be getting on with……Enjoy