Anyone that has had – or that has had to witness someone having – a migraine can attest to the outright agony experienced. Many people find themselves completely incapacitated during a migraine attack and need to lock themselves away until it passes. Most people have 1-3 migraines/month, but we routinely see people that experience 3-5 migraines every WEEK (if you can imagine that); an unfortunate few have them every day.
Most people that have migraines will do just about anything to get them under control. Many have tried numerous medications and alternative therapies to help either try to prevent or lessen the impact of a migraine. However, many of these therapies don’t provide lasting change because they don’t address the root imbalance(s) that lead to the migraines.
Addressing the Root Cause(s) of Migraine Headaches
There are several common factors that can contribute to the incidence and severity of migraine headaches; each person is unique, but if you can address the following underlying imbalances, you will be able to help minimize and even eliminate migraines in yourself or in someone you know that has migraines.
- Get aligned. Some people experience migraine headaches because of subluxations in the upper spine. Therefore, getting yourself properly adjusted can be a big help; seek out a chiropractor and/or osteopath in your area that specializes in headaches/migraines and get aligned.
- Determine triggers. Migraines are often triggered by one or more underlying events; everyone’s triggers are different, so a good daily diary can help identify them. A good diary should include foods eaten, weather conditions, medications (when and how much) and anything else that occurred just before the onset of a migraine. For a complete list of common triggers, visit http://naturalsolutionsformigraines.com/our-solution/determine-your-triggers/.
- Look at the diet. There are a great many foods that are known to trigger migraine headaches, including chocolate, alcohol, preserved meats, pizza, aged cheese, caffeine, nuts, pickled foods and foods that contain monosodium glutamate (MSG). In addition, keeping your blood sugar relatively level throughout the day can help; here are some general dietary guidelines for those that suffer from migraines: http://naturalsolutionsformigraines.com/our-solution/dietary-changes/general-dietary-guidelines/.
- Check for nutritional imbalances. Often times, migraines are due to imbalances or outright deficiencies in specific nutrients, including magnesium, coenzyme Q10, essential fatty acids or vitamin B2. Getting these levels checked and addressing any imbalances found can be a big help for anyone suffering from migraines.
- Achieve optimal neurotransmitter function (see our quick remedies for migraines). For most people, migraine headaches are caused by disruption or imbalance in one or more key neurotransmitters that affect blood circulation to the brain. These imbalances can be corrected using amino acid therapy, whereby a specific combination of amino acids and supporting nutrients are given in order to optimize a person’s neurotransmitter function. In the vast majority of cases (85-98%) amino acid therapy can significantly reduce and often eliminate the incidence of migraine headaches.
Migraine headaches may be devastating to those that experience them, but it is highly probable that there is a solution. Use the list above as a checklist to address the most common underlying imbalances that cause migraine headaches and be sure and contact us if you or someone you know needs further assistance.