Migraine: no ordinary headache

Explaining the difference between a headache and a migraine must be a demoralising experience for a frequent migraine sufferer. People just don’t seem to get it, do they? The nausea and pain is debilitating, so to see a non-sufferer roll their eyes and pass the aspirin…

The lack of sympathy is surprising. After all, ninety per cent of adults do experience headaches – some more frequently than others.

Why should we regard reoccurring headaches as normal? If we regularly suffered ear ache we would want to know more, wouldn’t we? Masking the pain with ibuprofen, paracetamol, aspirin and so on, isn’t resolving the cause of our headaches or migraines. What can we do?

Well obviously, my thoughts run to my spinal specialist, Dr Christian Farthing. I would describe the symptoms of my headaches, any patterns or triggers and would assess the benefits of chiropractic adjustments to correct subluxations (vertebral misalignment) through the visible indicators showing on my Xray as well as my personal experience of whether the headaches cease or decline in strength or frequency.

There are a few other practical tips to reduce the likelihood of headaches too:

  1. Avoid sitting or standing in a fixed position: this means not sitting for hours in front of the computer, taking regular breaks to stretch, walk, go to the bathroom, drink water and so on.
  2. Move: Low impact exercise is great for reducing headache intensity and frequency. Walking or cycling in the fresh air is relatively easy to incorporate into everyday activity. If you have a llittle more time, get out for a swim.
  3. Relax: more specifically – relax your jaw. Your upper and lower teeth only need touch when eating or swallowing. If you clench your teeth for a prolonged period of time, you’ll give yourself a tension headache.
  4. Drink: water, that is. Aim for eight glasses a day. Take a bottle to work with you – keep it in your line of sight but make sure you have to stand to reach it. That will help you combine Tip 1 with Tip 4! Clever, huh? Resist the temptation for sweetened and carbonated drinks – no one needs those added sugars and sweeteners. In fact, you’ll feel more energetic by being properly hydrated with regular h2o.