A silent migraine, also known as a migraine aura without headache or an acephalgic migraine, is a migraine variant that presents with visual or other aura symptoms without the characteristic headache. While they may not involve pain, silent migraines can still be quite disabling due to their other associated neurological symptoms. In this article, we will explore silent migraines and natural treatment options available.
Understanding Silent Migraines
Silent migraines typically involve four stages: prodrome, aura, headache (which is absent in silent migraines), and postdrome. The prodrome and postdrome phases can include symptoms like fatigue, mood changes, and cognitive difficulties.
The aura stage, usually lasting from several minutes to an hour, is characterized by visual, sensory, or motor disturbances. Visual auras are the most common and can include symptoms like flashes of light, zigzag lines, blind spots, or even temporary vision loss. Sensory and motor auras can involve tingling or numbness in the face or extremities and difficulty speaking or moving.
Though silent migraines do not involve a headache phase, they can be just as disabling as migraines with head pain due to the aura symptoms and the fatigue and cognitive difficulties that can linger after the aura has resolved.
Natural Treatment Options for Silent Migraines
Natural treatments for silent migraines involve lifestyle modifications, dietary adjustments, and alternative therapies. It's crucial to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
1. Stress Management
Stress is a well-known trigger for migraines, and managing it effectively can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of silent migraines. Techniques such as yoga, tai chi, mindfulness meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and biofeedback can help manage stress levels.
2. Regular Exercise
Regular physical activity is beneficial for overall health and can help reduce the frequency of migraines by improving cardiovascular fitness, reducing stress, and promoting better sleep. Always remember to warm up before any vigorous activity to prevent triggering a migraine.
3. Healthy Sleep Habits
Disruptions in sleep patterns can trigger migraines. Developing good sleep hygiene practices can help - establish a regular sleep schedule, create a quiet and dark sleep environment, and avoid electronics before bed.
4. Dietary Adjustments
Certain foods and drinks, such as red wine, chocolate, caffeine, and aged cheese, can trigger migraines in some people. Identifying and avoiding your personal migraine triggers can help reduce the frequency of attacks. A food diary can be useful in identifying potential triggers.
5. Hydration
Dehydration is a common migraine trigger. Drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day can help prevent migraines.
6. Essential Oils
Certain essential oils, such as lavender and peppermint, can be inhaled or applied topically to help reduce symptoms during a silent migraine attack.
7. Chiropractic Care
Some studies suggest that spinal manipulative therapy performed by a chiropractor can help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.
In conclusion, silent migraines, while free of pain, can be debilitating due to their neurological symptoms. However, a range of natural treatment options exist that can be integrated into one's lifestyle to manage and prevent these episodes. It's crucial to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and personalized treatment advice.
How We Treat Silent Migraines
Dr. Gordon Elder, our migraine specialist, excels in utilizing the Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Technique. This method emphasizes the health of the upper cervical spine and aims to detect and correct spinal misalignments, thereby reinstating the healthy positioning and functioning of the spinal column and associated nerves.
In addressing migraines, Dr. Elder adopts a two-phased approach to diagnose and treat the condition. Initially, patients undergo a screening process lasting 25–30 minutes to identify if a vertebral misalignment is exerting pressure on the nerves. Following this screening, patients receive a succinct report on the findings and have the opportunity to discuss their spinal health concerns with Dr. Elder.
Subsequently, Dr. Elder applies a sequence of subtle, low-force adjustment techniques to return any displaced vertebrae to their natural position. This approach facilitates the body's innate healing mechanisms to recover and sustain optimal nerve flow. Generally, this process involves using sophisticated 3-D imaging diagnostic methods to accurately pinpoint any misalignments in the upper cervical spine.
After the initial adjustment, patients are scheduled for regular, progressively spaced check-ups over the next 3 months to confirm the stability of their adjustment. On average, within a span of 3-5 months, patients have between 10 and 15 appointments with Dr. Elder.
If silent migraines are substantially hindering your daily activities, we encourage you to contact us today for a consultation with Dr. Elder about the health of your upper cervical spine. Blair Chiropractic Clinic, based in Lubbock, Texas, also extends its services to Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, El Paso in Texas, and Hobbs in New Mexico.
Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.