MIGRAINE - no ordinary headache

There are reportedly over 5 million patients suffering migraine in the UK. This could be described as a head pain caused by chemical imbalances in the brain and associated with extreme nerve control of the blood vessels. The incidence of people suffering is 4% children, 6% men and 18% women!

The symptoms are very complex and vary enormously between patients. Common symptoms include an intense throbbing headache, visual disturbances, nausea and increased sensitivity to light, sound and smell. Also patients report stiffness in their necks and shoulders, tingling in their limbs, the inability to concentrate and difficulty to speak.

As a chiropractor working in practise I regulary have patients visiting my clinic reporting headaches, which on many occasions prove to be migraines. They all want relief! But firstly I need to understand the triggers that might cause these headaches.

A part of the brain called the hypothalamus plays a key role in migraine. The hypothalamus controls many basic functions, including the sleep-wake cycle, hunger and satiety, hormonal regulation and the autonomic (involuntary) nervous centre. Virtually all migraine activators have a direct impact on this part of the brain.

Most of us will be sensitive to some of these triggers, but that does not mean we will actually suffer from migraine. We each have a threshold for each migraine activator, above which we will then, and only then be vulnerable to a migraine. These thresholds are largely genetically determined and once activated can remain active for weeks, months and sometimes years.

So what are the key triggers?

These are some of the most important:

• Hormonal balance - particularly relevant to women.
• Food allergies- not so much the actual foods, but the compounds themselves, to name a few: citrus fruits, red wine, chocolate, cheese, banana and avocado.
• Low blood sugar- often referred to as hypoglycaemia, is a common trigger particularly after a period of irregular eating or missing meals out.
• Low blood pressure.
• Sleep deprivation - many patients report waking up with a migraine or in that pre-migraine state.
• Spinal problems- strong association with headaches and migraines are the restrictions found in the first two cervical vertebrae.
• Stress and depression.

So what does than mean for the chiropractor?

From an examination and history taking of the patient, it may become apparent that there are several triggers at work. What is important is to identify these and where possible offer the patient ways to address them. This may involve the services of other health specialists and on some occasions referring the patient back to their own GP.

As a chiropractor I have seen the successful management of migraine through manipulation and ongoing maintenance where there has been a clear skeletal trigger. Patients who have suffered from migraines for many years have benefited from this form of treatment.

I am also fully aware that it might not be the only factor. In this complex area, as primary practitioners we must consider all the potential triggers, and not fall in to the trap of seeing our own speciality as the sole cure.

John Christian Tillyard - Registered Chiropractor
www.cornwallclinic.co.uk