Migraine Specialist

What are the common symptoms of a migraine?

Migraines are different from the occasional tension headache. They often begin with warning signs a day or two before a full-blown migraine hits. These symptoms of a pending migraine may include:

• Food cravings
• A stiff neck
• Mood changes
• Constipation
• Increased thirst

You may also experience a migraine aura -- a symptom of your nervous system that causes flashes of light or affects your vision. During a migraine headache, symptoms typically last from an hour to three days, if left untreated, and may include:

• Pain on one or both sides of your head
• Throbbing, pulsing pain
• Blurred vision or sensitivity to light
• Sensitivity to sound, smells, or touch
• Nausea or vomiting
• Light-headedness

Some men and women, or even children, may need to simply lie still with eyes closed until symptoms pass.

How can I get relief from migraine headaches?

If you suffer from migraines, you know that the pain and symptoms can be debilitating, but they don’t have to disrupt your life. This multidisciplinary team is highly skilled at treating all types of headaches, including migraines, without the need for prescription pain medications that often cause miserable side effects.

If you regularly experience episodes of painful headaches that last from an hour to a few days at a time, accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, light sensitivity, or blurred vision, you may benefit from professional migraine treatments. Once they determine the cause of your migraines through a comprehensive exam and questions about your health, diet, lifestyle, and any other contributing factors, the experts at Arbor Vitae Wellness Center are likely to prescribe a combination of Chiropractic adjustments, lifestyle and diet changes, massage therapy, and Acupuncture to reduce symptoms and the frequency of your migraines.

Your doctor of naturopathic medicine may also recommend supplements that help remedy any vitamin or nutritional deficiencies that may also be contributing to your migraine pain.

How can I prevent migraines?

Migraine sufferers often have triggers that bring on pain. Once you know what these triggers are, you can take steps to avoid certain foods or be aware of other catalysts, and potentially prevent the onset of a migraine. Common migraine triggers include:

• Hormonal changes, especially in women
• Foods and artificial food additives
• Environmental changes, like barometric pressure
• Certain medications
• Alcoholic drinks
• Stress
• Strong smells like perfume, cigar smoke, or paint

If you suffer from migraines and don’t want to rely on pain medications to suppress symptoms, the holistic team at Arbor Vitae Wellness Center can get to the underlying cause of your migraines so you can get long-lasting relief. Call the office in Santa Monica, or schedule an appointment online.