Physical therapy is not the only behavior used for orthopaedic conditions, despite what the general public believes. Severe migraines have the potential to cause nausea, photophobia, and other body symptoms. Migraines are painful and can infrequently be completely incapacitating.This results from the branching nerves that each limb’s central nervous system receives from the brain. However, migraine medication mostly affects the brain. You can better manage your migraine episodes and alleviate discomfort in other body parts with the use of physical therapy.
Factors That Could Cause Headaches
There are multiple potential causes for the symptom of migraines. The precise aetiology of migraines is unknown to medical professionals. Among the several reasons that could exist are:
brain damage, like a concussion
A genetic susceptibility to migraines
- Chemical imbalances in the brain
- Neurological conditions
- Abnormal blood vessel size, shape or function in the brain
All of these causes are the domain of a neurologist. However, a physical therapist can teach relaxation and pain management techniques to help during migraine flare-ups.
Common Migraine Triggers
Migraine triggers, or conditions that frequently produce headaches, are not the same as the underlying causes of migraines. Physicians have discovered typical situations that trigger migraines in individuals who are susceptible to them. Among these triggers are:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Neck compression from poor posture
- Lack of sleep
- Certain medications that affect blood flow
- Certain foods
- Hormonal fluctuations, such as during menstruation or pregnancy
- Caffeine sensitivity or excessive caffeine intake
Each person’s triggers are unique to them. A physical therapist can help you identify and avoid your specific triggers. Keeping a “migraine diary” is a smart step you can take to get started. Write down the time of the migraine, how long it lasted, any warning signs as it was coming on, and what you ate, drank and did directly beforehand.
How PT Can Help You
Physical therapy near me can help with migraine discomfort and triggers, but it could not treat the neurological root of migraines. Your quality of life can significantly improve as a result. You can learn how to recognise early warning symptoms of an impending migraine and avoid triggers with physical therapy.
Stretching, meditation and other relaxation techniques can reduce daily stress, improve sleep and potentially help you have fewer migraines. A physical therapist can also adjust your posture if pressure from the neck and upper back contributes to your migraines. Lastly, pain tends to increase if an oncoming migraine causes panic. Using relaxation techniques throughout a migraine attack can lessen pain and help the migraine go away faster.
For many people, regular exercise can also help reduce the symptoms of migraines. Exercise not only enhances general cardiovascular health but also acts as a natural stress and pain reliever. For newbies, a basic walking routine can be an excellent place to start. You can create an exercise and stretching programme tailored to your current fitness level with the assistance of physical therapy.
People who get migraines frequently also experience back pain. Back pain treatment therapy Oklahoma can improve long-term spine health while treating the painful side effects of migraines. Don’t underestimate the effectiveness of physical therapy for migraine management.