Migraines

Migraines

Migraine is still not fully understood, is often too strict in classification and migraines evolve/change over time.

Researchers used to think it was related to vascular structures. Now they think it is related to an over sensitised central nervous system (the brain). Migraine is cyclical in nature and is very similar to Tension Type Headaches.

Over sensitisation, means to much information from the body, whether it be about the environment around the body, or the bodies internal process, all accumulate in one part of the brain, and it over flows (like an over flowing bucket), and the info/input flows into other parts of the brain and causes a migraine/head pain.

Both Migraine and Tension Type Headaches are inflammatory in nature, irritating the central nervous system (brain).
​The classification is very large and confusing.

In the most basic form, migraines are usually one sided (of the head), easily aggravated with activity, aggravated by light/noise and very severe in pain intensity and can be with, or without aura.

This over sensitisation of the brain (in particular the cervico-trigmeinal nucleus) can be dampened down via the top 3 neck joints. The top 3 neck joints have nerves that feed forward into this area, the cervico-trigeminal nucleus. The Watson headache technique we are trained in, uses the top 3 neck joints, in gentle physiotherapy techniques, to dampen down the brain/central nervous system, (with no cracking of the neck).

Fibromyalgia & Migraines - click here for comprehensive info on heavy metal toxicity and copper imbalance.

30% of migraine sufferers will develop TMD/jaw pain!… which triggers which??!!

A lot of dentists I speak with, think it is the TMD/jaw pain triggering a lot of the migraines. If you can heal or reduce the jaw pain, many migraine sufferers say that their migraines are a lot less intense and a lot less often.

The International Classification of Headache Disorders

The medical profession uses triptan medication to control migraines. It only works on 50% of suffers, and will not work at all if it is not taken early on. ie you must take the medication at the first sign of a migraine, before nausea sets in, otherwise it is useless. And yes, botox is very effect for this condition, however, you end up having to have it every 3-6months for the rest of your life at $600-$1000.

I think it is more important to find out why you are having them, and quite frankly, migraine clients have way too much going on in their lives, or brain thought patterns. If you ask the psychologists 97% of the western world is stuck in co-dependence. I think it is better to spend that money on counselling, psychology and philosophy, finding out why you cant stop that little voice inside of you putting you down constantly (‘’critical parent voice’’), or the ‘’what if questions’’ you constantly pose to yourself, and find out who you are with no justification or need to apologise for just being you. And this is what Leigh did, she spent 4 years working on co dependence and how to tame its influence in her life, funny enough all her chronic pain has gone!!

I find most migraine sufferers have done a lot of research and some know more about their condition than their doctor!
So to start with, migraines are complex and involve many health factors.

Good to start by removing all chemicals from your house (use eco friendly products), remove any mould from your house/work area, clean air con filters regularly, see a nutritionist for your specific body shape/metabolism requirements, remove sugar from your diet!, milk can stimulate sinus headaches and migraines, blood pressure check ups, sleep studies and airway restrictions/sleep apnoea, and many many more considerations.

Most of Leigh's clients with TMD/Migraine/Tension type headaches have women's health conditions as well. Most of these clients have not had a blood test of their sex hormones (progesterone, estrogen, DHEA, and testosterone) to see if they are low.
Particularly low progesterone can lead to; headaches, migraines, TMD, bruxism, insomnia, body pain, fatigue, low mood, hot flushes, poor memory, poor brain attention span, and much more. (you dont have to have all the symptoms). Many of Leigh's clients are on the bio identical progesterone (sometimes also DHEA & testosterone) and have a vast improvement in keeping their migraines/TMD/bruxism and women's health conditions away. (The synthetic hormone therapy, ie the pill and hrt are no where near as effective as the bio identical form).

Resistance to medications can mean your brain needs a software update! and seeing a counsellor/psychologist can help work out how to change how your brain reads the information coming from your nerve endings in your body (in the most simplest explanation.) Quantum physics has proven spirituality/psycho-social factors are the same thing.
Science is no longer separate to the mind/universe connection. Basically science has finally been able to measure the atom (99.9% energy, 0.01% mass), so your body is full of atoms, and thus is 99.9% energy. Therefore what you think and feel (i.e. your personality or soul) is the determining factor to how you react to life, with pain, or with joy. Seeing a counsellor can help your brain change the way it interprets pain or a lack of it. You have the choice to change. Very exciting times.

Some websites/books to help with Migraines (aura and without aura) will help give you a clue into your emotional ties around this pain. Part of the therapy from an injury is the emotional (not just physical and medication). It is up to you to seek the right spiritual therapy. (Leigh uses psychotherapy inner child work with unconscious, like hypnosis/deep meditation, Buddhist philosophy, kinesiology, and many more readings.) My favourites;

Many people with migraines also suffer secondary headaches different to their migraine.

  • If the migraine pain pathway on your head is the same as your headache pathway, we have a higher success rate.

  • If the migraine pathway on your head is different to the pain pathway on your head, it is harder to treat.

  • If you are waking with migraines/headaches/neck, its a big indication that its due to your night clenching/grinding (not a sign you need a new pillow!), usually due to sleep apnoea.

The First Part of Treatment (for Non Aura Migraines)

It is thought to dampen down the trigeminocervical complex via the upper neck joints, with firm pressure to firstly make sure the neck is in central alignment (i.e no stiff joints or rotated neck joints, specifically C2 and C3). 

We are finding it is most successful with people whose headaches become their migraines (i.e as the headache gets worse, it becomes migraine pain, and the referral pattern is the same, without aura. This treatment works regardless of its triggers (stress, dehydration, menstrual, cluster etc). 

The technique does not involve any ‘cracking’ of the neck joints, and we complete a thorough assessment to see if your symptoms are suitable for the technique. 

Both the Physio and the client will know within x2-3 sessions whether it is working.

Usually we see the client x2 the first week and x2 the second week. If you have not had at least 50% reduction of symptoms we reassess and recommend a specialist to manage your case.

It is very importantly you do your home exercises!! as our treatment is only half the treatment. The exercises help with your body awareness and a more central spinal position with everyday life.

Clients with migraines that are separate to their headaches (i.e are on a different referral pathway on their head) are more difficult to treat. So too with menstrual related headaches/migraines and aura associated migraines.

Read Abstract - Cervical Referral of Head Pain in Migraineurs: Effects on the Nociceptive Blink Reflex

These technique are safe on any age from 4 year old to 104 year old. We check that you have vital neck ligaments in tact before we work on your neck.

The Second Part of Treatment (Aura Type Migraines)

The second part of treatment; (Aura type migraines) involves an extensive assessment and questioning of your medical background. For example restrictions in your airways can increase your clenching and impact on your health.

Bad Guts! - bad gut bacteria, gut anaemia, lots of different gut conditions can impact on your health, including increasing your clenching.

Hormonal imbalances - For women - Changes in hormone levels - normal teenage hood, menopause, pregnancy, Endo, Polycycstis ovary syndrome, menopause, etc.

Usually progesterone is the first hormone used to treat the imbalance. You can find out by having a simple blood test for -  progesterone, oestrogen, DHEA, testosterone. We are finding that bio identical progesterone (as apposed to the pill - which are mostly horse chemicals!) is the best to reduce; all over body pain/fibromyaligia, migraine, TMD, hot flushes, low mood, insomnia and it is safe. Natural progesterone is protective against breast cancer and heart attack (unlike the synthetic pill). Useful and evidence based information can be found here - Dr Dan Pursers's - Progresterone Book (for women)

For men, low testosterone can lead to floppy airways and thus restricted airways. Get your GP to check with a simple blood test.
Therefore we assess your health and prioritise which specialist you should see to address each medical condition that could be contributing to your overall over activity of night and day clenching and over stimulation of the trigeminal nerve.

Most commonly clients are referred onto expert night occlusion splint (like a mouth guard) dentists/specialists (who have also have training in sleep/respiratory medicine). If you have a restriction of airways and the wrong splint is made (ie reduces your airways further) you could become quite ill. Ask our team for the correct referral. Not all therapists who make splints have extensive training.

The International Headache Society

Great guidelines, diagnosis guidelines, medication tips and medication overuse leaflets - Learn More