Everything you wanted to know about migraines, but were in too much pain to ask

Have you been suffering from migraines or know someone that does?
According to Headache Australia, approximately 15% of the population suffers from migraines at some point in their lives with the greatest prevalence between the ages of 35 and 45 years of age.
If you have been leaving your migraines untreated, or if they are being poorly managed, it can take you down a painful and frustrating path that can lead to:

Lack of motivation or drive

• An inability to participate in physical activities
  
  Feelings of social isolation or withdrawal Not feeling like yourself
  Decrease in mood

Versus, if your migraines are properly treated by practitioners who specialise in this area:

• An increase in motivation and drive
  
  A return to physical activities
  Participating in social gatherings, outings, and functions
  Feeling like yourself again
  Increase in mood

“Migraines aren’t like a sprained ankle. They aren’t something that people can physically see and acknowledge and therefore people who haven’t suffered a migraine can’t always understand the pain of one. Having a pain that feels like it is inside your head can be excruciating. Don’t live with this pain anymore. Let’s do something about it together”,
-Dr. Beth Yule – Osteopath at Premier Sports and Spinal Medicine.
Here are 5 things that you need to know about migraines:
1) There is a strong connection between neck dysfunction and migraines: Regardless of whether you feel neck pain/discomfort. The nerves of the face/head that cause the pain of migraines are related the nerves of the neck. When this area gets sensitised and a trigger is applied, a migraine starts.
2) Tension-type headaches are not caused by an increase in tension in the muscles of the scalp and forehead: However studies showed that an increase of tension in the muscles of the neck. Reinforcing the connection between the neck and headaches/migraines.
3) You can get what’s known as ‘a rebound headache’ from taking too much pain medication to try and alleviate your migraines.

4) Migraines can be silent: You do not have to get head pain in order to have a migraine, you might just get symptoms such as blurry vision, loss of vision, weakness, nausea, numbness, tingling etc.
5) Migraines aren’t caused by vascular pulsations/dilatations in the brain: This is an outdated theory that has been proven to be wrong. Therefore any remedies that are aiming to aid in restoring blood flow or prevent vascular constriction might feel soothing when applied but are not likely to help your migraine.