What is Migraine?
Migraine is a neurological disorder, usually chronic, that is often debilitating and characterised by episodes of head pain and other associated symptoms. Migraine head pain presents on one side only (the side can vary with different migraine episodes) with a range of other symptoms such as sensitivity to light and/or sound, nausea and vomiting and may have an associated aura (a disturbance of vision which usually appears before the migraine pain starts, and can last up to an hour). The pain can range from moderate to severe intensity, and often leads to avoidance of normal daily activities. Migraines can last from around 4 hours to days. You should see a doctor or a neurologist to get your migraines diagnosed.
The jury is still out as to exactly why migraines occur. You may be able to get medications from your doctor or neurologist that will help with your migraines. Physiotherapy treatment for migraine involves treating the muscles and the joints of the neck and can be a successful treatment for a number of migraine sufferers, depending on the extent to which the structures of the neck are actually involved in causing their migraines. Your physiotherapist will assess whether the structures of the neck are contributing to your migraine and work to release these structures. Techniques such as soft tissue massage, joint mobilisation, dry needling, taping and home exercises may be used to relieve migraines.