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I can’t explain the weirdness and pain of a migraine, but as you are here, I gather you already know what they feel like.

I remember my first one. I was out with a friend in a busy shopping centre in Melbourne. There’s no other way to describe it than scary. I developed tunnel vision, and while I could see Sarah’s lips moving and hear a muffled, faraway sound, I couldn’t make out what she was saying.

I had pain in my left arm, felt sick, and I progressively developed a feeling of wonkiness. Thank goodness Sarah didn’t live far away, although, in hindsight, I certainly shouldn’t have driven.

I felt terribly guilty because she’d just returned from a great overseas trip and was so excited to show me her video clips. But the light from the TV felt like it was simply boring a hole through my skull, and trying to keep my eyes open was incredibly painful. Bed, a dark room, an ice pack, and painkillers were my only options.

I am one of the blessed people, though. I’ve discovered migraine strategies that really help me, and I would now call myself predominantly migraine-free. I’ve also helped many migraine sufferers over many years to kick this terrible syndrome to the curb.

What might help you?

1) Chiropractic care

This is a powerful approach! I have watched some sufferers’ migraines melt away in my hands immediately following an adjustment. It doesn’t always happen this quickly, but a large number of migraine sufferers can reduce, even eliminate, migraines by regular 2 – 4 weekly adjustments.

2) Fix your PCOS hormones

PCOS-related migraines may be hormonal, as oestrogen dominance, which is more common in PCOS, can be a factor. I share steps that may help you here: 6 Top Steps To Reduce PCOS Oestrogen Dominance. Other symptoms of oestrogen dominance include endometriosis and fibroids.

3) Lifestyle awareness and change

A study in The Clinical Journal Of Pain found a detailed nutritional history could help with identifying foods that trigger migraines in an individual.

Although the triggers are considered controversial, specific subsets of patients “may be sensitive to phenylethylamine, tyramine, aspartame, monosodium glutamate, nitrates, nitrites, alcohol, and caffeine.” My clinical experience backs this up, and migraine patients would often react to certain foods.

The study concluded: “The identification of food triggers, with the help of food diaries, is an inexpensive way to reduce migraine headaches. We also recommend the use of the following supplements in the preventative treatment of migraines, in decreasing order of preference: magnesium, petasites hybridus, feverfew, coenzyme Q10, riboflavin, and alpha lipoic acid.”

A note on magnesium

Magnesium has a special place in my heart and clinical toolbelt for two reasons.

Firstly, I have found that many patients gain great benefit from supplementing with magnesium for their migraine.

Secondly, folks with PCOS have been shown to be more likely to have low magnesium levels, which may well be a trigger for migraines in this syndrome.

Choose a high-quality magnesium supplement in powder form for easy absorption. With a migraine, gut motility slows down, so when taking magnesium to lessen a current migraine, powder-to-liquid supplements can be absorbed more effectively. Helpful, too, so you may absorb the magnesium before you throw up, if that’s one of your symptoms.

I personally recommend Bioceuticals Ultramuscle-Ease. This is usually available at a health food shop or from a practitioner. I am sure there are alternative options online.

4) Feverfew and capsaicin

Before he retired, my lovely GP told me that feverfew and capsaicin can help with migraine. The research supports this, which could be a boon if you suffer from migraine.

5) Avoid triggers for a cervical problem

Cervical, or neck, problems can trigger migraines. So, avoiding the things that cause cervical issues may help you with your migraines, too. Think regular Chiropractic care, practising good posture, drinking enough filtered water, taking rest breaks during the day, avoiding tummy sleeping, and stretching regularly.

Migraines can be utterly disabling. If possible, take the preventive steps outlined above. Then, if and when one strikes, take action quickly. Over the years, I learnt that putting off action in the hopes that it might just go away usually doesn’t work.

Until next time,

P.S. Interestingly, it’s possible to experience a migraine without having a headache. Other symptoms—such as the prodrome, speech problems, nausea, numbness (I used to experience numbness on one side of my nose), light and noise sensitivity, flashing lights, zig-zag lines, and dizziness—can signal a migraine in the absence of a headache. I know this sounds impossible, but it’s true.

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