Stress is reported as the number one trigger in headache and migraine sufferers. It can come in many forms, including both emotional and physical stressors, which leads to an increase in the stress hormone, cortisol. There are many exercises that can be used to help decrease stress which can help to decrease your headaches and migraines, but one very effective and easy way is through breathing exercises.

The simple breathing exercise, known as diaphragmatic breathing, consists of breathing through your mouth while trying to actively control your abdomen –your belly button is one of the primary focus points. Basically, you are using your diaphragm, a large muscle in your chest, to breathe. This type of breathing has benefits beyond just alleviating headache symptoms; it can also help with everything from digestion and even lowering blood pressure.

The benefits of diaphragmatic breathing

There’s a reason these exercises are so popular —it’s because they actually work wonders! The e...

Today is Day 3 of National Pain Week and we have been exploring the connection between headaches and migraines and other health conditions. Today we are speaking about Arnold Chiari Malformations. 

Arnold Chiari Malformations (ACMs), headaches, and migraines are interrelated medical conditions that can cause discomfort and pain in the head and neck region. ACMs are structural defects in the brain and spinal cord that can cause headaches and migraines, while headaches and migraines are common symptoms associated with ACMs. Understanding the connection between these conditions can help patients better understand their symptoms and treatment options.

Arnold Chiari Malformations are a group of structural defects in the brain that occur when a portion of the brain called the cerebellum descends into the spinal canal. There are four different types of ACMs, ranging from mild to severe, and each type can have different symptoms and treatment options. Common symptoms of ACMs include heada...

Today is Day 2 of National Pain Week and so we’re exploring the relationship between headaches and migraines and chronic conditions. Today, we’re talking about epilepsy.

The connection between epilepsy, headaches, and migraines is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to changes in brain activity. Seizures can cause changes in the brain that result in headaches and migraines, while anti-epileptic medications can also affect the brain and trigger headaches and migraines. Additionally, the underlying neurological disorder that causes epilepsy may also play a role in the development of headaches and migraines.

Diagnosing the connection between epilepsy, headaches, and migraines can be challenging, as symptoms can overlap and be similar to other conditions. A doctor may use imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans, to diagnose epilepsy, while a headache specialist may use diagnostic tools such as the headache diary to d...

Always love a week or a month that will help raise awareness and this week is National Pain Week. So, during this week, we’re going to be talking about conditions that can have an influence on headaches and migraines and also how headaches and migraines can interact and influence these conditions. And so today, we’re starting off with fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that creates multiple regions of pain throughout the body and the musculoskeletal system that is usually more of a dull consistent ache type of pain. The pain can certainly vary in intensity from lower-grade pain to higher-grade pain. General fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive disturbances, and strong brain fog are also characteristics of fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia can be quite difficult to diagnose because the signs and symptoms do look like other things and other things do need to be ruled out first before a diagnosis of fibromyalgia can be ruled in and there are actually no tests for fibromyalg...

People often ask “What do I do specifically for a vestibular migraine?” or “What can I do to help my hemiplegic migraines?” and the answers are fairly similar because regardless of what general type of migraine you have, they stem from the same place. 

Migraines are a type of headache that affects millions of people worldwide. They are characterized by a severe headache, often accompanied by light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, nausea, and vomiting. Migraines can be debilitating and can greatly impact a person's quality of life. In many cases, migraines are caused by a condition called central sensitization. Understanding the connection between central sensitization and migraines can help people better understand their symptoms and available treatments.

Central sensitization is when the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord, becomes sensitized to stimuli. This sensitivity leads to an increased perception of pain, even from stimuli that would normally be cons...

Hey everyone! For those joining us from Melbourne like myself, then we are in lockdown number five! We’re used to this song already.

Just a couple of COVID reminders and lockdown reminders that can help you keep your headaches and migraines at bay during this lockdown.

Hello, I’m Dr Beth, osteopath here at Melbourne Headache Solutions.

Number one, first and foremost, you want to keep your body active and moving. During lockdowns, we tend to stay really still, really stagnant, and we don't move anywhere near as much as we normally would. Make sure that you're going outside and getting that regular walking. Get everything moving, get those muscles loose. Get those joints moving. It's going to help to decrease those headaches and migraines and help to keep them at bay. So fabulous.

Second, we want to make sure that the neck itself is moving. We're spending a lot more time with screen time, sitting, watching TV, reading books, in front of computers, those sorts of things. So, make s...

Hey, I need you to listen to this and I need you to tell everyone. Shout it from the rooftops.

You a special and unique and so are your migraines. And you need to be treated as such and your migraines need to be treated as such.

Hi, I'm Dr Beth, osteopath here in Melbourne Headache Solutions.

I get asked quite frequently “why is it that I get dizziness?” “why is it that I am getting like pressure in my head?”, “why is it that I get nausea?”, and “why am I vomiting?”

Basically, you are unique. You are special, your brain interprets things differently. Some people will get nausea as their predominant symptom, as well as their head pain. Other people will get vomiting. Other people will get really intense light sensitivity, whereas other people will just have pounding head pain that won't go away. Other people will have a hemiplegic migraine and other people will get a vestibular migraine. In terms of why you get one versus the other, it's because your brain is interpreting the se...

A comment that a patient recently received, “Oh, you were fine yesterday, so why do you have a migraine today?” highlights the lack of awareness and understanding of how migraines actually work.

Migraines are not like colds and cannot be predicted easily. You can be perfectly fine one minute and then suddenly hit with a migraine attack the next minute. It is not uncommon for people with migraines to have sudden, intense pain, intense nausea, an aura, and vomiting. The previous minute or day has no relation to when a migraine attack might hit, making it unpredictable.

However, some people do have an indication as to when their migraine attacks might occur. Triggers such as alcohol, certain foods, lack of sleep, or activities can increase the likelihood of a migraine attack. But for some people, migraines can hit randomly, making them a surprise attack.

Migraines are known as a silent or invisible illness. People with migraines may look perfectly fine on the outside, but they may b...

When you are experiencing a headache or migraine it can make it difficult to participate in social events, family gatherings, and other activities. Everything from bright lights and noisy sounds to simply being around people can be a trigger. During these times, it's common to feel guilty about missing out and not spending time with loved ones.

However, there are ways to approach headaches and migraines differently so you don't have to miss out on time with loved ones. Dr Beth (osteopath) shares with us some insights on the topic during Headache and Migraine Awareness Month.

When I suffered from headaches, I found it challenging to go out to social events like pubs, clubs, and restaurants. Even simple daily activities like getting out of bed and getting dressed were difficult. I wanted to be able to attend social events and spend time with my family and friends, but often the pain was just too much.

I spoke with others who also felt like they were missing out due to their headach...

It's Headache and Migraine Awareness Month, and it's the perfect opportunity to review where you are at with your migraine attacks and what additional things you can do to find more relief from migraine.

 It's also important to know that you are not alone. There are many support networks out there for you, including the team here at Melbourne Headache Solutions.  

If you are experiencing migraine attacks, then you know how debilitating they can be. That's why it's essential to work with a knowledgeable team about diagnosing and treating migraine headaches. This blog post will answer the most common questions that people ask about their migraine condition. 

What exactly is a Migraine?

Migraine is a neurological condition affecting the brain, but it can cause symptoms throughout the entire body that can range from severe head pain, nausea and vomiting to temporary paralysis of parts of the body.   

A migraine is classically described as an intense, throbbing headache usually o...