If you have ever had an experience with migraines or know someone who suffers, you appreciate just how severe this neurological condition can be. Migraines are known for several symptoms:

• Severe pounding and throbbing head pain
• One side of the head may be affected or both sides
• Sensitivity to light, sound, and certain odors
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Vertigo or other kinds of dizziness
• Numbness in the face or extremities

Migraines are as unique as the person suffering from them, and they are very little understood. This makes caring for them extremely difficult. Many medical doctors encourage their patients to keep what is referred to as a migraine diary. By using a migraine diary, you can assist your doctor in making the proper diagnosis, help yourself to be aware of certain triggers and warning signs, and see if anything is able to help with the pain of migraines. You want to include the following information:

• When the pain began
• How often you have migraines
• What your symptoms are
• How long the attack lasts
• Where the pain is located
• What type of pain is it (ex: throbbing, pounding, piercing)
• What and how often you eat
• What medications you take
• Vitamins or other supplements
• Exercise – what kind and when
• How much sleep you get
• What the weather conditions were like

If you are a woman, the details of your menstrual cycle are important. You may want to pay particular attention to the things you did within the 6 to 8 hours prior to the attack. We suggest keeping a diary like this over the course of 2 or 3 months so that you can begin to see a pattern develop.

What Are Common Triggers for Migraines?

Migraine triggers are different for each person. They are things that, when experienced, bring about a migraine. Sometimes it is a combination of things all at once or just one particular thing. But what triggers a migraine for your best friend may not affect you at all. However, there are some common triggers for migraines to be aware of and keep track of in your migraine diary.

Stress Triggers

• Crying
• Worry
• Depression
• Stress at the workplace
• Arguments
• Anxiety
• Chronic pain
• Excessive exercise
• Not enough sleep
• Major changes in your life

Environmental Triggers

Situations in the outside world can act as triggers for migraines:

• Heat and humidity
• Allergens – pet dander, dust, pollen
• Excessive noise
• Changes in the barometric pressure due to riding in an airplane or weather
• Chemical cleaners – ammonia, bleach, or other strong odors
• Pollution, carbon monoxide
• Chemicals used to manufacture new clothes or new carpets
• Strong odors
• Chemicals used in beauty products – makeup, skin care, moisturizers

Micro-Strain Triggers

This refers to overusing the small muscles that are used to correct body movements.

• TMJ and grinding your teeth
• Shivering
• Sleeping on an old mattress or waterbed, or using the wrong pillow
• Excessively using computers or video games
• Reading with poor lighting or the wrong glasses
• Unbalanced movements due to an injury

Body Chemistry Triggers

• Monthly menstrual cycles
• Hormones produced by rapid growth cycles in children and teens
• Medication side effects
• Sicknesses
• Gum disease and tooth decay

Food and Diet Triggers

This is one of the biggest lists of triggers. Not only do specific foods trigger migraines, but dietary factors may do so as well:

• Dehydration
• Food allergies – celiac disease, peanut or tree nuts, dairy
• Too much or too little caffeine
• Too much sugar
• Not eating regularly leading to low blood sugar
• Not getting enough vital nutrients – vitamin B, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium

Foods:

• Red wine, malt beer, and other alcoholic beverages
• Liver – beef and chicken
• Bouillon cubes or canned soup
• Aspartame, saccharin, and other artificial sweeteners
• Bananas
• Avocados
• Canned sardines or herring
• Brewer’s yeast
• Bakery items – raised coffee cakes, sourdough bread, doughnuts
• Fruit – citrus variety
• Aged cheeses
• Caffeinated drinks – coffee, tea, and colas
• Chocolate, carob, cocoa
• Sour cream, cottage cheese, yogurt, and other cultured dairy products
• MSG, seasoned salt, meat tenderizer
• Pickled, fermented, and marinated foods – olives, deli meats, pickled fish, sauerkraut, pickles
• Canned figs
• Onions
• Peanut butter
• Red plums
• Seeds and nuts
• Papaya
• Lima beans, navy beans, peas, lentils, snow peas and other broad bean pods
• Pineapple
• Pizza
• Tofu, soy sauce, and other soy products
• Raisins
• Ham, pork, and bacon

Migraine Relief Pittsburgh PA

Upper Cervical Chiropractic Helps with Migraines

Migraines have been proven to be connected to a misalignment in the bones of the upper cervical spine, especially the C1 and C2 vertebrae. These bones are a vital part of the function of the body as they act as protectors to the brainstem. They also allow the head to move in various directions and act as a support for it. This makes them more vulnerable to misaligning than other areas of the spine. Once they move out of place, they compromise the brainstem and put it under stress. This causes it to send improper signals to the brain. They also can act as a hindrance to the flow of blood entering or exiting the brain. This is the perfect scenario for migraines to occur.

Here at Tranquility Specific Chiropractic in Pittsbury, Pennsylvania we use a gentle method that does not require us to pop or crack the spine or neck. Rather, we encourage the bone to move back into place naturally, not adding additional stress to the body. This results in a longer-lasting adjustment and fewer visits needed down the road to correct additional problems. Most of our patients and those in case studies have seen a vast improvement in their migraines.