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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, far away 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 option.

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

So what might help you?

1) Chiropractic care

This is a powerful approach! I have watched some sufferers migraines simply melted 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

One of the reasons I wanted to discuss migraine on this website is that oestrogen dominance can cause migraines. And women with PCOS are more likely to suffer from oestrogen dominance, as are those suffering from endometriosis and fibroids.

PCOS migraines are the same as the regular type, but the trigger maybe hormonal. Read my article 6 Top Steps To Reduce PCOS Estrogen Dominance to discover ways to tackle this problem.

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 can be controversial, certain subsets of patients “may be sensitive to phenylethylamine, tyramine, aspartame, monosodium glutamate, nitrates, nitrites, alcohol, and caffeine.”

My clinical experience backs this up and that migraine patients would often react to some sort of food.

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.”

Magnesium

I wanted to make a separate note on magnesium for two reasons.

Firstly, I have found that many patients gain great benefit from supplementing with magnesium for their migraine. It’s wonderful stuff!

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

Try to choose a high-quality magnesium supplement, in powder form for easy absorption. With a migraine, gut motility slows down, so when taking magnesium to help 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.

Saying that I have read good things about this product:

4) Feverfew and Capsaicin

Before he retired my lovely G.P. told me that feverfew and capsaicin have been shown to help with migraine. The study published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia showed promise in an intranasal application of capsaicin, which could be a Godsend for those who suffer vomiting with their migraine.

5) Avoid triggers for a cervical problem

Cervical, or neck, problems can trigger migraines. So avoid the things that cause cervical issues may just help you with your migraines too. Think regular Chiropractic care, practicing good posture, drinking enough pure water, taking rest breaks during the day, avoid tummy sleeping, stretch regularly.

Migraines can be utterly disability. When my vision starts to go wavy, and my nose starts to feel numb, I know it’s time for an adjustment, a laydown, and a dark room – ASAP – before the headache hits.

Note: Curiously, you can have a migraine, and not have a headache. I know to those that suffer from terrible head pain this may sound impossible, but it’s true.

If you can, take the preventative steps outlined above. Then, if and when, one creeps upon you, take action quickly. I’ve discovered over the years, putting off action in the hopes ‘it might just go away’ usually just don’t work.

Until next time,

 

 

 

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