It is unclear to those in the medical community and researchers exactly why migraines occur. However, a connection has been seen between migraines and a misalignment in the upper bones of the neck – the C1 and C2 vertebrae. A misalignment here creates a problem with the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and blood flow to and from the brain. In turn, the brain is not getting the nutrients and oxygen in needs to function at its optimum. This can lead to a head pain.
It is important to avoid any triggers that will bring about a migraine. Some common triggers include:
- Skipping meals
- Loud noises
- Stress and anxiety
- Too much or too little caffeine
- Perfume and strong odors
- Changes in hormone levels due to birth control or menstrual cycles
- Smoking or breathing secondhand smoke
- Changes in sleep routines
- Alcohol
- Weather changes
How many days have you lost to a migraine this year alone? There's a piece of the migraine puzzle that doesn't get talked about nearly enough — and once you see it, you'll wonder why no one brought it up sooner. Breaking the Migraine Cycle breaks it all down, for free.
While not as common, certain foods or beverages may also contribute to the onset of a migraine. Some foods that have been connected with this condition are:
- Chocolate
- Dairy
- Meats with nitrates such as cured meats, salami, hot dogs, and bacon
- Processed food including pickled, fermented, and marinated foods
- Tyramine – found in chicken liver, smoked fish, beans, red wine, and figs
- MSG – monosodium glutamate
A migraine journal is a good idea to help one determine what your personal triggers are. Writing down such things as weather conditions, foods eaten, activities done, and how one feels before and after can reveal a pattern. Once triggers are identified, they can then be avoided, as possible, resulting in fewer migraines.
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Help for Migraines Is Available
Another thing a person can do is seek the care of an upper cervical chiropractor. Here at Sherwood Spinal Care, we help patients by using a gentle method called NUCCA to realign the top bones of the neck. Many patients report seeing significant improvements in health in as little as 1 or 2 visits.
How many days have you lost to a migraine this year alone? There's a piece of the migraine puzzle that doesn't get talked about nearly enough — and once you see it, you'll wonder why no one brought it up sooner. Breaking the Migraine Cycle breaks it all down, for free.
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