Effective Migraine and Headache Management: Tips and Treatments

Migraines affect millions worldwide, yet they remain widely misunderstood. Migraines and headaches can severely impact daily life, particularly for people aged 25 to 55.  

At O-health, our team often see the debilitating impact of migraines on our patients. We aim to shed light on the symptoms, triggers, and effective management strategies, emphasising the crucial role we can play in your journey to better health. 

Understanding Migraines and Headaches: Symptoms and Triggers

Migraines and headaches are more than just simple pains; they are complex neurological events that can severely impact daily life. Common symptoms include: 

• Severe, throbbing headache, often on one side of the head (for migraines)  
• Sensitivity to light, sound, or smells 
• Nausea and vomiting (common with migraines)  
• Visual disturbances, such as auras (migraines)  
• Dull, aching head pain (for tension headaches)  
• Pressure or tightness around the forehead or back of head and neck (tension headaches)  

Identifying and avoiding triggers is a key component of managing these conditions. Common triggers include: 

• Neck pain
• Stress and anxiety 
• Hormonal changes, particularly in women 
• Certain foods and beverages (e.g., caffeine, alcohol, spices) 
• Environmental factors (e.g., bright lights, loud noises, strong smells) 
• Sleep disturbances or irregular sleep patterns 

It’s estimated that between 73% and 90% of people with headaches and migraines also suffer from neck pain. Australians spend an average of 3 hours per day on their mobile phones, and this increased smartphone usage (3-5 hours a day) significantly contributes to neck pain, strongly correlated with headaches and migraines.

Tips for Managing Migraines and Headaches 

• Reduce neck pain
• Improve neck strength and control
• Identify and Avoid Triggers: Keep mobile phone use as low as possible.
• Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate hydration can significantly reduce the frequency of migraines and headaches. We can guide you in creating an exercise routine that suits your needs and limitations. 
• Practice Stress Management: Techniques such as yoga, meditation, and deep-breathing exercises are highly beneficial. We can teach you these techniques and integrate them into your treatment plan. 
• Establish a Routine: Improve sleep by keeping in regular sleep patterns, practicing good sleep hygiene (eg. no screen time in bed) and regular mealtimes can stabilise your body’s natural rhythms. 
• Seek Professional Help: Personalised treatment plans, including medications and therapies, can be crucial. At O-health, we offer a holistic approach that combines manual therapy, education, and support from our multidisciplinary team to manage your migraines effectively.

Our Role in Migraine and Headache Management

We focus on treating the cause, not just the symptoms. Our treatments are individualised to each patient, utilising a multi-disciplinary approach that addresses lifestyle and aggravating factors, combining physical therapy, improving tissue capacity and medication use. Our comprehensive treatment can include: 

• Manual Therapy: Techniques to reduce pain and improve movement.. 
• Exercise Prescription: Customised exercise programs to improve overall physical health and reduce migraine frequency. Best practice management is a combination of manual therapy and an exercise rehab program.  
• Posture and Ergonomic Advice: Guidance on improving habits and behaviours whilst seated so as  to reduce strain and prevent triggers. 
• Stress Reduction Strategies: Incorporating relaxation techniques into your daily routine. 

We can make a big difference, dedicated to helping you manage and reduce the impact of migraines and headaches. A number of our team have done further study to improve our capacity to manage your headaches and migraines – they are part of a cohort of therapists who are changing the way your debilitating condition can be managed. Our comprehensive approach ensures that every aspect of your health is considered, providing you with the best possible outcome. 

Suffering from migraines or headaches? Our team of experts is here to support you every step of the way. Book an appointment here or call us on 02 6021 2777.