Migraine Treatment in Central, Hong Kong

Migraines are a common condition that affects people worldwide. Migraines affect anywhere between 12%-15% of people worldwide. Women, unfortunately, are 3 times more likely to experience migraines than men.

For those who suffer from migraines, symptoms can vary from a few hours to a few days. Migraines are specific to the individual, so there is no “normal” when it comes to migraines.

Triggers, whether they be physical, emotional, or environmental, are common triggers to migraines. Keeping a diary is the best way to identify a constant trigger; however, sometimes there are no specific triggers to migraines.

Here are a few examples of common triggers:

- Hormone changes

- Starting your period

- Anxiety, depression, stress

- Tiredness or poor posture

- Low blood sugar or dehydration

- Strenuous exercise

- Alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, or citrus

- Bright lights, flickering screens, smoke, loud noises, strong smells, or changes in weather conditions

What are the distinguishing features of a migraine?

The main distinguishing feature of a migraine is an intense headache on one side of the head. Some people will feel pain on both sides of the head and may have connected face or neck issues. Movement may make the pain worse.

The following are other features that can be related to a migraine:

- Nausea

- Vomiting

- Sensitivity to light and sound

- Sweating

- Poor concentration

- Feeling extremes of cold and heat

- Abdominal pain

- Diarrhea

- Dizziness

You may not experience these symptoms with a headache, and some people may experience them without a headache. Sometimes, people will have temporary warning signs, or auras, that precede a migraine. These signs can develop for several minutes and may last up to an hour. They may start before a migraine or during the start of a migraine. Some people may experience an aura with or without a headache.

Here are a few examples of aura:

- Seeing flashing lights, zig zags, or blind spots

- Numbness and tingling that starts in one hand and moves towards the face, lips, or tongue

- Difficulty speaking

- Dizziness

- Loss of consciousness

Chiropractic care for migraines focuses on addressing musculoskeletal issues in the spine. A comprehensive migraine management plan will help reduce pain and improve function.

How We Treat Migraines In Central, Hong Kong

Comprehensive Consultation and Exam

With a comprehensive examination at our studio, we do a thorough medical and lifestyle examination to ensure we have a clear history of what could be causing your migraines. We then do physical examinations, including checking the range of motion for the spine, posture, specific neurological tests, and orthopedic exams to see if anything from the spine or extremities could contribute to your migraines.

By addressing the root cause of the problem, we can expand our treatments beyond the symptoms and help people find a more long-term solution to their migraines.

Specific Chiropractic Care in Central, Hong Kong

A subluxation is a functional or structural problem within a joint (spine or other) that impedes neural integrity and can affect overall health. Among some of the symptoms this problem comes with is inflammation. This inflammation can cause muscle pain and spinal nerve root integrity. A subluxation by itself will not cause a migraine, but whatever triggers the migraine could cause a subluxation. Treating the subluxation is paramount in dealing with a migraine; however, understanding the triggers will give someone more control or awareness of what causes them. Treating the subluxation provides the body with time to deal with the inflammation around the muscles of the neck and nerve roots coming out of the spine.

Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan

Exercises help with migraine relief by releasing endorphins (natural pain killers), reducing stress, and improving sleep. If the muscles around our neck and skull get tight or become inactive, we unintentionally put more pressure on the neck's joint spaces, which could contribute to migraines. Subluxations can create inflammation, making the muscles around the joint spaces of the neck painful. Many different types of exercises help with migraines, such as swimming, running, cycling, Tai Chi, and yoga. However, there are specific exercises that may also help decrease tension in the neck and shoulders, which could be contributing to your migraine.

Side Neck Bend

Start in a seated position. Keep your spine neutral, relax your shoulders, and rest your arms alongside your body. Lower your right ear to your right shoulder. Extend your left hand toward the floor, flexing your fingers up. Hold for 30 secs. Repeat for the other side.

Seated Forward Fold

Sit on the floor and straighten your legs before you. Place a folded towel or blanket under your buttocks for support if needed. Dorsiflex (point your toes towards you) and lengthen your spine (pretend that someone is pulling up your spine with a strong hand). Bend forward from your hips, bringing your body towards your thighs. Bend your knees if needed. Relax your forehead to your legs and grab your feet (or go as far as you can comfortably) for 30 seconds.

Child’s Pose

Kneel on the floor. Spread your knees outward to the width of the mat. Keep your big toes touching and rest your buttocks on your heels. Lengthen your spine and place your hands on it. Lower your body between your thighs, reaching your hands to the top of the mat. Place your forehead on the mat and relax your neck, shoulders, and arms. If unable, go as far as you can comfortably. Hold for 30 seconds.

Thread The Needle

Start on all fours. Place your hands shoulder-width apart and your knees hip-width apart. Keep your spine neutral and rest the tops of your feet on the mat.

Downward Dog

Start on all fours. Place your hands shoulder-width apart and your knees hip-width apart. Keep your spine neutral. Press your hands on the mat and tuck your toes. Lift the hips, not locking your knees, and straighten your legs. Lengthen your spine, creating an upside-down “V” with your lower body. Reach your heels to the floor. Hold for 30 seconds.

These exercises will help loosen and activate the proper muscles of the neck and shoulder girdle to help minimize the physical symptoms of a migraine.

Common Causes of Migraines in Central, Hong Kong

Stress

Several types of stress can cause migraines; three major types are physical, chemical, and emotional.

- Hormone Changes

- Starting your period

- Anxiety, depression, stress

- Tiredness or poor posture

- Low blood sugar or dehydration

- Strenuous exercise

- Alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, or citrus

- Bright lights, flickering screens, smoke, loud noises, strong smells, or changes in weather conditions

Subluxations occur from stress. The soft tissue around the joint space can become inflamed and painful. The inflammation can trigger the body's fight-or-flight response, which prevents the rest and digest response from activating. As a result, the body can become immunocompromised and more prone to sickness.

Physical stressors for migraines tend to include poor posture, fatigue, and strenuous exercise. Chemical stressors include low blood sugar, dehydration, alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, and citrus. Emotional stressors include anxiety, depression, and stress.

While we cannot get rid of your migraines, we can help you deal with stress with chiropractic adjustments and advice on how to spot triggers that could start a migraine.

Sleep

Sleep is essential so your body can heal and recover from that day's events.

With poor sleep, your body doesn’t have the time to regulate and restore many of the body’s functions, like learning, memory, and immunity. Without this, the body can become more prone to chronic migraines.

Regulating the nervous system with chiropractic adjustments can help you sleep better. By coming in for regular chiropractic care, we can help you get used to a rhythm and routine that you can carry to your sleep schedule.

Hormones

Estrogen, in particular, the drop of estrogen, can cause migraines by making the pain pathways more sensitive and affecting blood vessels, which can lead to a migraine.

Aim for a regular sleep schedule, including sleeping 7-9 hours per night. Eating balanced meals throughout the day and staying hydrated helps as well. Gentle exercises such as walking, yoga, or swimming can also help reduce stress and improve hormone balance. In summary, a routine helps the body better regulate hormones.

Chiropractic care, received within a rhythm and routine, will keep the body organized, which may limit fluctuations in daily activities.

Caffeine and Alcohol

Alcohol can trigger migraines through dehydration. It contains cogeners, which are byproducts of fermentation, and has been linked to headaches. Also, ethanol in alcohol can trigger headaches. Caffeine is more complex, as it can sometimes alleviate migraine symptoms. Excess caffeine intake can lead to headaches and withdrawal due to its effect on blood vessel narrowing. The best course of action is to limit the amount of caffeine you intake or to make a diary covering the amount you take and its effects that day.

Diet and Dehydration

Triggers and ideal diets can vary from person to person. The worst foods to eat if you are suffering from migraines would be alcohol, aged cheese, cured or preserved meats, chocolate, artificial sweeteners, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and yeast extract. Due to ideal foods varying so much from person to person, it is best to stick to whole, natural foods as often as possible when dealing with migraines.

A food diary should be kept to learn which foods could trigger a migraine. Diet is essential to prevent illness and recover from illness because a balanced diet can reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Healthy diets help the body by giving it the energy it needs to fight illness and giving your body nutrient-rich foods to help you function and recover. Chiropractic care can help you make lifestyle changes by regulating your nervous system to prevent migraines. By controlling the nervous system through routine adjustments, we can start instilling good habits that can ideally carry over to lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can going to a chiropractor help with migraines?

Yes, going to a chiropractor can help with migraines.

Can your neck being out of alignment cause migraines?

Neck misalignments can be one portion of what could be causing migraines.

How do you permanently cure a migraine?

Unfortunately, there are currently no permanent cures for migraines. Identifying triggers and organizing care afterwards are presently the best approaches along with medical intervention if needed.

Does exercise help with migraines?

Yes, gentle exercise and exercises specifically for the neck and shoulders may help with migraines.

What food should you avoid during a migraine?

Avoid alcohol, aged cheese, cured or preserved meats, chocolate, artificial sweeteners, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and yeast extract.

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