What is Migraine?
Migraine is an intense headache, commonly lasting anything from two hours to two
days, accompanied by visual disturbances and/or nausea and vomiting.
During a migraine attack, the blood vessels in the brain dilate, drawing the blood
vessels together, and causing stimulation of nerve endings near the affected blood
vessels. It is thought that these changes to the blood vessels are probably the
cause the severe pain, but migraine is still a condition that is poorly understood.
Who Is Affected by Migraine?
Although there is often a predisposition for migraine to occur within the family
of other migraine sufferers, it is not certain how large a heredity role there is.
Migraine affects about 20 per cent of females and 6 per cent of males in their lifetime.
It may affect children as young as three years old with 60% of sufferers experiencing
their first episode before the age of twenty, and about 90 per cent having their
first attack before the age of 40.
What Are the Symptoms of Migraine?
Migraine headaches generally occur in bouts of between aproximatelyy 2 to 72 hours.
The headaches usually affect one side of the head at a time, although both sides
may be affected in separate attacks. The headaches are usually throbbing and worsened
by normal physical activity.
- Nausea and/or vomiting.
- Visual impairment (called “aura” that most often are visual, such as zigzag lines,
twinkling, or flashing lights across or on the periphery of vision) that precede
the headache. The “aura” may also be non- visual, such as a sensation of tingling
in the body.
- Sensitivity to light and/or sound.
Only about 15 per cent of sufferers experience visual aura preceding an attack.
The term "Common migraine" is used to refer to the majority of sufferers who experience
all the other symptoms with the exception of the "aura". In some rare
cases, there can be transient loss of power of a limb with severe attacks and/or
temporary difficulty with speech.
Allopathic Treatment Options
- Painkillers.
- Anti-sickness drugs.
- Where normal painkillers fail to combat migraine, the ‘triptan’ group of drugs is
often prescribed.
- People suffering a migraine should try to rest in a dark, quiet room.
Complementary Treatment Options
SHIATSU
Shiatsu has been found to be beneficial in the treatment of migraine, especially
where stress is the trigger for the attacks. As Shiatsu is usually experienced as
deeply relaxing, it creates a feeling of wellbeing that can help the body to recognise
the relaxed state and learn to maintain relaxation. Shiatsu practitioners can work
with conditions of both acute and chronic natures.
HERBAL
- Feverfew (Chysanthemum parthenium) can be taken, on a daily basis, to prevent the
“cold” type of migraine, where there is the feeling of a tight band around the head.
- Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is recommended where stress is a trigger for migraine
attacks.
Pro-Holistic provides Shiatsu,
Healing Chi Kung therapy, on-site massage, Stress Mangement courses, and Stress Mangement workshops. We also provide tuition in Chi Kung,
Tai Chi, Neijia,
and self defence.