Pain Management For Migraines

Migraines can be a painful and debilitating illness for people who suffer from them. Currently, there is no long-term cure for migraines but there are a multitude of options to choose from to alleviate immediate or impending symptoms. In this article, we will discuss some of the ways migraines start and what are some options that people have to help alleviate their pain. 

Migraine Triggers

There are a number of triggers that can start a migraine in individuals. Some people may not notice any triggers or changes in their bodies before the onset of a migraine. Although there are no definite causes of migraines, here are a few common triggers people experience.

Physical Triggers

Sometimes not getting enough sleep can trigger a migraine during the day. Common pain in and around the shoulders, arms, and neck area are common triggers for a migraine. People who have low blood sugar could also be a trigger for a migraine.

Dietary

Not being sufficiently hydrated can cause migraines as well as certain foods. Caffeine and alcohol are common triggers for people who suffer from migraines.

Environmental

An individual who suffers from migraines can be triggered by things going on around them. Bright lights, loud noises, smoking, strong odors, and severe temperature changes can all trigger migraines for certain people. 

Some forms of Physical Therapy could possibly help alleviate symptoms of a migraine for a short amount of time. A migraine affects the central nervous system, the brain, the spinal cord and all of the blood vessels and nerves surrounding it. Different kinds of Physical Therapy like massage therapy could help alleviate stress in certain areas of the body, allowing the body to relax. Massage therapy on the back, the arms, jaw, and head could help with migraine symptoms. Although massage is a good option for symptoms, it does not necessarily work for all people who suffer from migraines. 

My main focus as a medical practitioner is to educate people on other methods of pain treatment and management that does not involve opioid medication. An article, published by the American Headache Society talks about how some physicians over prescribe opioid medication to patients for treatment of their migraine symptoms. In cases like this, it can be typical that a patient’s symptoms be lessened for a certain amount of time, but patients who take opioid medication regularly for migraines could potentially suffer from elongated migraine episodes later on. Some cases have had a detoxification process for patients who took opioid medication for their migraines regularly and ended up looking for other migraine treatments. 

Read the whole article here, and visit my website to learn more about non-opioid practice for pain management!