Your Ultimate Migraine Guide

February 21, 2021

migraine and neck pain

Processing all the information you found about migraines might be enough to cause a round of migraine and neck pain. This guide covers salient details that should help you understand what it is, what the triggers are, and what you can do to achieve relief.

 

What is a migraine?

A migraine is not just your ordinary headache. Although this condition happens quite often to many people that it has achieved ordinary status, there are still a few things that make this distinct from a headache.

Migraines make people feel the following:

  • Queasy and the need to vomit
  • Irritation to bright areas
  • Sensitivity to odor and noise
  • Intense pounding pain that can start on one side before radiating to the other areas

 

What causes migraines?

People have different experiences with migraines. As such, they can have varying triggers. Here are some of the likely factors that can start an episode:

  • Hormonal changes in women

A woman's body deals with hormonal fluctuations right around her period. These changes can be the root cause of a woman's migraine. Usually, it goes away until the next cycle.

  • Level of sleep

Some people contend with migraines when they lack sleep or get more than what they are used to.

  • Alcoholic drinks

Enjoying a glass of wine usually does not harm. Indulging too much to the point of being unable to walk a straight line normally entertains a nasty hangover, which generally includes migraine and neck pain.

  • Environmental factors

Some people experience head pain when their senses are overwhelmed. Stepping inside a freshly painted room or attending a rock concert can induce a migraine attack.

  • Anxiety and stress

Being overly anxious or stressed out can start a migraine. The migraine can persist and progress the longer a person is in a stressful situation.

  • Food choices

Allergic reactions to certain types of food can cause intense headaches in some people. Others noticed that their migraines start after consuming food items like dark chocolates.

Some people can quickly identify their migraine triggers, while others deal with a few of these. It might help to start a migraine journal where you get to note your prompts and experiences. This is helpful, particularly if you would like to avoid setting off another episode in the future.

migraine and neck pain

What are the different migraine stages?

One thing that you should take note of is that migraine has multiple phases. It is not a singular experience. Knowing what the different stages are might come in handy.

1. Prodrome

This is your body's internal warning system that signals an impending migraine attack. Some people notice that they become moody or irritable before a migraine episode. Others start experiencing radiating body aches that ultimately lead to migraine and neck pain.

2. Aura

Sensitivity to light is often the first indicator of an impending migraine attack. If you maintain a migraine journal and notice that this happens, then paying attention to such reactions to your environmental factors can help you prepare before the pain intensifies.

3. Headache

The pain level brought about by migraines can be surprising. For people who think they have high tolerance levels, a migraine attack can often refute their claim. A migraine's pain can be sudden and intense. It can be overwhelming and overpowering. Simply put, it can stop you from doing anything.

4. Postdrome

Do you know what it is like to feel run-down? Well, the aftershocks of migraine are similar to what one feels following a vehicular accident. Overall, the person feels drained. There is no restful feeling despite being in bed for the most part. The nausea feeling might persist as well, which makes it challenging for some to recover quickly.

 

What are the relief options?

There are a lot of relief choices available to address migraine and neck pain.

  • Trigger prevention

Go back to the basics. Why don't you get enough rest and manage your stress levels? If you need to, go ahead and enjoy a glass of wine. However, please do your best not to overdo it. Anything done inadequately or excessively can trigger an attack.

  • Prescription medication

Because of a migraine's debilitating effects, getting immediate relief is a priority. If you opt to take prescription medication, please talk to your healthcare expert to consider any pre-existing conditions and the possible side-effects. Pain medicine may address your migraine, but it shouldn't set off a new ailment. Always seek professional assistance when considering pain medication.

  • Chiropractic care

Although not many people know this, their neck and spine condition has a link to migraine and neck pain. Ideally, your neck and spinal column must be symmetrical. This allows the body's internal systems to function correctly. Almost all of the body's signals pass through the spine and the neck to the brain and back. Anything that causes instability in these sections can have widespread effects, which include a migraine.

Upper cervical chiropractors can perform a complete evaluation and review your imaging results. In case some sections are not aligned, they use the latest techniques to restore balance. They employ gentle yet precise actions during the course of therapy. The results may lead to relief from the effects of migraines.

If you are interested to know if your body is correctly aligned, please take a look at our directory and find the nearest upper cervical chiropractor in your area. Find out now if restoring your body's alignment can help you finally deal with migraine and neck pain.

Find An Upper Cervical Doctor in Your Areato schedule a consultation today.

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