Migraine and Headaches

Understanding Migraine Headache

The migraine headache is perhaps the best-known type of headache.  “The migraine syndrome” presents itself first because it comes with symptoms that accompany the headache. Symptoms may include dizziness, visual problems, “spots” before the eyes, redness, swelling, tearing of the eyes, muscle contraction, irritability, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea.  These symptoms often arise before the headache hits.  The headache itself may last for a few minutes to a few days, and the severity may range from minor discomfort to immobilizing agony. The migraine pain is most common in the temple, but it may be experienced anywhere in the head, face and neck.

So what puts the ache in headache?

The pain-sensitive structures of the head are the culprits.  These are the arteries of the brain and skull, the tissues surrounding the head veins, the dura mata covering over the brain, and certain nerves called cranial nerves.  When these parts are inflamed, stretched, pulled, or under pressure, any type of headache may occur.

Migraine headaches are often classified into two types: classical and common.  The classical migraine is a headache that follows an aura or some type of spontaneous event such as numbness or tingling.  The aura may be flashes of light, squiggly lines, or a halo effect.  The common migraine does not have an aura associated with it.  Most people who suffer from migraines suffer from common migraines – usually at a 3:1 ratio.

The Scientific Truth about Migraines Today

Approximately 28 million Americans suffer from migraines, and millions go without treatment.  Scientists once thought migraines were caused by abnormally dilated or enlarged blood vessels. 

Now, new imaging devices have allowed scientists to watch brains during migraine attacks, and are discovering that sufferers have abnormally excitable neurons or brain nerve cells. The latest migraine research has yielded a mechanism called cortical spreading depression, or CSD.  Prior to the onset of pain in a migraine, researchers have observed a sudden burst of cortical activity that occurs most commonly in the occipital lobes (back part of the brain).  The occipital lobe will increase in frequency of firing, or have a burst of activity, and then there will be an episode of silence or depressed activity.  The actual activity of the brain becomes depressed when compared to normal.  The resulting pain comes from either the brain stem activation or from blood vessels inflamed by rapidly exchanging blood flow – or both.

New Treatment

Your headache hurts. Your pain is awful, and you can get rid of it. You decided on traditional treatments and they have not worked. The pain is still there, the headaches still come and go, and you get the impression that your doctor doesn’t know how to really help you.

I invite you to learn more about how Brain Based Therapy (BBT) can help you. It is an important first step in natural healing. I know this is true because I have helped countless people get well, regain their health, and remain pain free.

• Neck Pain
• Whiplash
• Back Pain
• Sciatica
• Disc Disease, Herniated or Bulging Discs
• Migraine and Headaches
• Fibromaylgia
• Nutrition and Life Style

Please call us for a no-obligation
consultation to discuss how we can
help you (248) 615-1533.