Relief for Migraines
How to Get Rid of a Migraine
Migraines are more than just really bad headaches. They're a neurological condition that can cause multiple symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, difficulty speaking, numbness or tingling and sensitivity to light and sound.
You are not alone. It’s estimated over 2.7 million people in Canada suffer from migraines.
Generally people assigned female at birth are more likely than people assigned male at birth to experience and be diagnosed with migraines.
The diagnosis of migraine is determined based on clinical history, reported symptoms, and by ruling out other causes. The most common categories of migraine headaches (or attacks) are episodic versus chronic, and then those without aura and those with aura.
When you are having a bout of migraine, you feel like the worst company in the world — even if it doesn't always seem that way to everyone else. We are sharing information, natural treatments including chiropractic and acupuncture treatments along with tips that can make dealing with debilitating migraines and headaches easier and healing head pain faster.
What is a migraine headache?
Do you ever want to just crawl into a ball and cry? You're not alone.
Headaches are one of the most common complaints among all adults, and migraines are among the most debilitating. But what exactly is it that makes a migraine different from other headaches? And how do you know if you have one?
First, let's talk about what a headache actually is. A headache is any pain or discomfort in your head or neck area that causes you to feel stressed, anxious, or out of sorts. It can be caused by something as simple as eye strain to stress or dehydration. The most common types of headaches include tension headaches and migraines.
A migraine headache is often characterized by throbbing pain on one side of your head that can last anywhere from four hours up to three days. You may also experience additional symptoms like nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, difficulty speaking, numbness or tingling sensations around your mouth, scalp or face; as well as blurred vision or blind spots in your field of vision (called an aura). Some people may experience only one symptom while others may experience many at once!
“Such a thoughtful and inviting facility. These ladies thought about every possible aspect of holistic care encompassing everything mind, body and soul!
I’ve found my place in Vancouver for my mental and physical needs!”
What are the 4 migraine phases?
The first step in getting relief is identifying what kind of headache you have. Here's a breakdown of the different types of headaches and migraines:
1) Episodic migraine: This is the most common form of headache, characterized by attacks lasting anywhere from 4 to 72 hours. During these attacks, people often experience nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, photosensitivity (sensitivity to light), phonophobia (sensitivity to sound), and/or phonosensitivity (sensitivity to noise).
2) Chronic migraine: Chronic migraine is also characterized by recurring headaches over time (at least 15 days per month). It differs from episodic migraine in that attacks last longer than 72 hours each time they occur.
3) Without aura: This type of headache does not involve any visual or sensory disturbances before or during an attack.
4) With aura: This type of headache involves visual or sensory disturbances before or during an attack.
Understanding your individual phases of migraine can be an essential cornerstone in finding the right treatment option. Maintaining a headache diary can help people with migraine recognize their symptoms and the phases they experience before and after each headache. Identifying these symptoms, and using them to catch and treat a migraine attack early, is key to lessening the severity of headache—or in some cases, even stopping them.
“I have been seeing Dr. Uppal for chiropractic care for the past three years. She has been incredibly helpful when it comes to the management of my chronic headaches and back pain. I highly recommend Latitude Wellness and Dr. Uppal to anyone looking for comprehensive pain management care.”
Natural treatments for Migraines
When you've got a migraine, you know it.
You probably already have tried a lot of different treatments, but if they don't work or just make things worse, you're not alone.
If you've been dealing with this pain for years and years, you're probably wondering: "Do I have to live like this forever?" The answer is NO! And we're here to help.
At Latitude Wellness we understand the frustration that comes from living with a condition like migraine headaches. We also know what it's like to feel hopeless and helpless, when all you want is some relief from those awful symptoms so you can go back to living your life the way it was meant to be lived—without pain or suffering getting in the way.
Can a chiropractor help with headaches?
Chiropractors are experts in the health of the spine and the musculoskeletal system. They can assess, diagnose, and manage headaches. Current evidence suggests that chiropractic care, including manual therapy, can be effective in treating cervicogenic and tension headaches. Studies have also shown that chiropractic care can help decrease the intensity and frequency of migraines.
Migraines can be a result of the following examples: a car accident, head or neck injury, hormonal issues, prenatal, post-natal or family history.
Latitude Wellness offers chiropractic services led by Dr. Sereena Uppal
The Canadian Chiropractic Association provides further details on 6 Ways Chiropractic Care Can Help Manage Headaches.
Vancouver Chiropractor Dr. Sereena Uppal takes the time to listen to your journey and capture your medical history. Our beautiful downtown wellness center is a calm and relaxing space.
Dr. Sereena Uppal will conduct a thorough assessment to diagnose and create a plan that makes sense for you and your health concerns. Then, she will use a combination of either manual or assisted adjustments, a cold laser therapist, and soft tissue mobilization to treat you in the first session.
“Sereena has such a gift in helping her clients get back to a state of alignment.
Once upon a time I had chronic shoulder pain and after committing to a series of treatments, Sereena was able to help me find my equilibrium again. Her skills as a chiropractor are unparalleled and the gentle and intuitive energy she brings to the table is also next level.
Now I go for tune ups to keep my body running optimally and when I do it’s always such a treat. To have what feels like strong healing hands and a soft heart hold space for me to help me be the best version of myself is such a gift.”
At Latitude Wellness we work together as a team. Providing our patients and clients with the best support for your overall health and mental wellness.
Oftentimes many patients find relief for migraines with a combination of chiropractic treatments and acupuncture treatments. Working as a team we are able to develop a treatment plan that helps support the patient to get back to living without pain. Get back to feeling relief and joy!
Acupuncture for migraines and headaches?
The answer to this question is yes! Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in treating migraines and headaches.
Acupuncture involves the use of small needles inserted through the skin. According to the Asian theory of meridians, this may influence energetic networks in the body and have positive effects on health. For the treatment of pain, more recent theories propose that acupuncture needles may induce the release of endorphins (the pain killing chemicals), thereby assisting in pain control. Vancouver acupuncture services are available at Latitude Wellness, offered by Registered Acupuncturist Elise Greaves
“I’ve seen two practitioners at Latitude - Dr. Uppal for Chiro and Elise for Acupuncture and I can’t say enough good things! Dr. Uppal is very personable and made me feel comfortable trying chiro again after many years. Prior to seeing Elise I had never tried Acupuncture before and she was amazing at explaining what the process was and how it would feel before and after. I highly recommend them both!”
Chiropractic and acupuncture treatments are invaluable when it comes to dealing with debilitating migraines and headaches. A proper chiropractic adjustment can impact blood flow of the brain, which can increase your ability to tolerate pain—and ultimately reduce migraine intensity. Acupuncture helps the body heal itself by increasing blood flow, reducing inflammation and clearing out toxins that have built up in your body.
It's important to be aware of your triggers as well as the signs that something is changing in your life, or body. Many women are more likely to experience their first migraine during adolescence, or during pregnancy and menopause. Women’s migraines can change over time. Sometimes headaches come and go but there are other times in life where a minor headache becomes debilitating and no treatment will take away the pain. One of the most important pieces of information you need to know about chronic headaches is that you are not alone.
Welcome to Latitude Wellness
We are here to help you! Latitude Wellness is a multidisciplinary wellness clinic based in beautiful Vancouver, BC. We are committed to creating an inclusive space for clients from all walks of life to lean into the best versions of themselves.
We work with our clients to support them in learning and discovering tools that will help them thrive in their environments. Our approach stems from the belief that every human comes with a unique experience, and care should reflect that. Health and Wellness are more complicated than a one-size fits all approach, and we strive to create a care plan with you that works for you.
Learn more about our practitioners, their specialties, and the modalities which guide their practice.
We look forward to welcoming you to our downtown Vancouver clinic and meeting our team.