Are migraines making you miserable?

By Dr. Jessica Corbeille Harris, ND

There’s really nothing quite like a migraine. 
 
They hurt. 
 
You can’t see. 
 
You puke. 
 
You can’t focus. 
 
And work? How are you supposed to work with a migraine? 
 
What are the top causes of Migraines?
Migraines are truly debilitating… And what causes a migraine for one person may be totally different than what causes one for someone else. Here are some of the top causes of migraines I see in my practice: 
 

1. Weather: Yep, here in the PNW, we have constant weather changes. The barometric pressure changes up to 3 days before a storm hits too, so sometimes it can be hard to understand why a migraine is hitting you when you can’t even see the clouds rolling in yet. This is actually the #1 cause of migraines though among all people. 
2. Hormones: Hormone swings (i.e. during your period, menopause, and/or pregnancy) are a HUGE reason for migraines. Of course these types of migraines are more common among women since their hormones are fluctuating a lot more on average compared to their male counterparts. 
3. Food complications: I say “complications” because it’s not just “food allergies” or “food sensitivities” that trigger migraines. Sometimes it’s the chemical additives, the dyes, the fragrances, the fillers, or the preservatives that trigger migraines for people. MSG and sugar, for example, are very common triggers for migraines among all genders. 
4. Sensory and toxin overload: Lights, smells, noises, and the chemicals on our skin (from personal care products) can all add up! I call this a “sensory bucket” – and when it overflows, that’s when you get symptoms (like migraines). Everyone’s bucket is a little differently sized, too. 
5. Sleep and routine changes: Changing your sleep schedule can impact your threshold for a migraine. Letting your blood sugar get too low (or too high) can also bring on a migraine. These seemingly subtle changes in routine can impact your migraine threshold dramatically, depending on the person. 
6. Structural imbalances: Muscles too tight? Spine maligned? Ligaments too lose or overstretched? These physical causes can absolutely trigger a migraine for many people. 

 
What can you do about your migraines??
 
Well, let’s go through the list I mentioned above and see what you can get started on today to improve your migraine threshold tomorrow. How about trying: 

• A regular eating schedule with a focus on clean, whole foods with low glycemic index (low sugar/carbohydrate content). This will help to stabilize blood sugar and decrease changes for a “Food Complication”. 
• Limit alcohol: Alcohol puts added work on your liver to metabolize out those toxins. The bad news is your liver is also where your hormones go to get processed. So, if you are stressing the organ responsible for helping metabolize your hormones, this could be effectively stressing your hormone system as well (which could trigger a migraine). So, cut back on the booze! 
• Check out EWG.ORG to see how your personal care products check out on toxin levels. If they’re not listed or rating poorly, consider switching to a cleaner alternative to reduce your toxin and sensory input trigger. 
• Get regular sleep: Limit activities in the evening that are too stimulating to ensure you can get a solid night of sleep. There are several other sleep hygiene tactics you can check out as well (like limiting screens before bed, eating a protein snack before bed, etc.). 
• Get regular exercise: This can help keep your structure more balanced. Sure, you can still tweak your neck even if you regularly exercise, but your body will be more likely to self-correct if it’s already stronger and healthier from the regular activity level you maintain. 

 
And what if you’ve done all that and you still have migraines? Or if you get a “breakthrough migraine”?? Or what if you just don’t know where to start?? Then what??
 
Then you come see me!! 
 
I specialize in various treatments for pain including trigger point injections and anti-inflammatory injections for your nerves causing your migraines. Scared of needles? I hear you, and you’re not alone. I’d love to talk to you about this treatment anyway and even discuss some preliminary [needle-free] treatments we can do that may be just as effective for you. 
 
Know someone with migraines that could benefit from this information? PLEASE share this article and pass on my contact information. Migraines are literally THE WORST and no one should have to continue to suffer when there is help available!!