Migraines & How PT Can Play a Factor in Recovery
Migraines are an incredibly painful and debilitating headache. In addition, they can severely impact quality of life for those who experience them. Typically, when an individual first gets migraines, the cause is initially unknown. However, once the doctor reviews medical history and rules out other causes (such as family history), they usually find the cause. In this post, we’ll explore migraines, their symptoms, potential treatments and how physical therapy can contribute to a swift recovery.
First: What is a migraine?
First and foremost, a migraine is a reoccurring type of chronic headache. Of course, this type of headache is extremely common. With over three million cases per year, the headaches could be severe, intense, or moderate. And migraines can occur at any point in your life. Also, they can even be passed down genetically.
Often, these are unbearable, debilitating headaches that can severely impact quality of life. Migraines are notorious for causing severe, nearly unbearable pain in those who experience them. Additionally, they often induce an extreme sensitivity to sound and light. Usually, this leads to migraine sufferers laying in a dark and silent room until it passes.
What are Some of the Symptoms of a Migraine?
Some of the symptoms include:
- Intense headache
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Anxiety or depression
- Irritability
- Neck or shoulder stiffness
- Fatigue or low energy
- Nausea and dizziness
Often, many people confuse these symptoms for a common cold. However, please don’t wait to see a doctor if you feel a migraine coming on, or if you’re unsure about what’s happening. Usually, migraine pain is unbearable. As a result, you’ll want to try and avoid light.
Ways to Stop Future Migraines?
Unfortunately, migraines can occur throughout your whole life if you don’t take any action to stop them. Therefore, there’s a list of things you can do to recover/prevent further migraines from happening and fuel your body for migraine defense. Below, you’ll find some of the ways you can inhibit future migraines:
- Hydration
- Medication
- Botox
- Acupuncture
- Exercise/Behavioral techniques
- Physical Therapy
According to PremierHealth.com, “One procedure, called nerve decompression, removes tissue that puts pressure on one or more peripheral sensory nerves in your head thought to be trigger points for migraines. The other, called neurectomy, cuts a nerve in your head identified as contributing to migraines.”
Conclusion
As a physical therapy office, we always want to be the first option before you turn to medicine or surgery. Whereas physical therapy is non-invasive and totally natural, medicine and surgery can have numerous negative side effects and consequences. Of course, physical therapy can help your migraines immensely if they bother your neck/jaw or any other physical areas on your body. It can also help you be healthier, stronger and more active. Furthermore, not only will PT get rid of upper body migraine pain, PT provides the information, exercises, and therapy needed to prevent future attacks.
Choose to live pain free, stress free, and happily. Farmingdale Physical Therapy West is the right choice.
1- Premier Health.
2- Choose PT
