Hello all, Shania here! – Some of you may know (or not) but I’m a migraine sufferer….
As I’m sure I’ve mentioned before, I’m a migraine sufferer. Mine thankfully don’t come around too often, but I definitely recognise that moment of panic when you notice that tiny flickering light in the corner of your eye. If you’ve ever had a migraine, you’ll know exactly what I mean, that sudden dash to grab your medication (Migrelief for me!) and get yourself somewhere dark and quiet as quickly as possible.
Last week, my partner had a migraine, and something he said really stuck with me:
“This is terrifying. If I’d broken my leg I could understand it, but I don’t understand why this is happening. Is something seriously wrong with me? Do I need to go to A&E?”
And honestly, that’s such a common feeling. Migraines can feel completely random and quite scary when you’re in the middle of one.
I’m a huge lover of pathophysiology and the latest research and, honestly, I always feel better when I understand what’s actually happening in the body. So over the past week, I’ve been doing a proper deep dive into migraine research, and I wanted to share a more real-world, understandable version of what’s actually going on.
Some facts ‼️
-
Migraines are now considered a “complex neurological condition” rather than simply a headache, according to the World Health Organization
-
Migraines are the second most disabling condition in the world, according to the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
So if you suffer with them, you’re definitely not alone, and you’re definitely not overreacting.
So… what actually causes migraines?
Genetics
There are multiple genes linked to migraines (including CACNA1A, ATP1A2 and SCN1A) that affect how calcium, sodium and potassium move in the brain.
In simple terms, there are migraine-related genes that interfere with how your brain sends signals, so yes, you can politely ignore anyone who tells you to “just drink more water” 😅
Triggers
We all know the usual ones:
-
Stress
-
Hormones
-
Poor sleep
-
Certain foods
-
Weather changes
But what’s really interesting is that migraines tend to work on a “threshold” basis.
It’s usually not just one thing, it’s a build-up of lots of small factors, and then one tiny extra thing tips you over the edge into a migraine.
Who gets migraines?
Around 12% of the population experience them:
-
17% of women
-
6% of men
Hormones are thought to play a big role here.
Types of migraines
-
Migraine with aura, visual or neurological symptoms before the headache
-
Migraine without aura, headache and sensory symptoms without visual changes
-
Vestibular migraine, dizziness or vertigo
-
Chronic migraine, more than 15 headache days per month for over 3 months
The stages of a migraine (you might recognise these!)
1. Prodrome (early warning signs)
Often easy to miss:
-
Yawning
-
Mood changes
-
Fatigue
-
Neck stiffness (I get this!)
-
Feeling hot or cold, cravings, needing the loo more
2. Aura (about 25% of people)
-
Flickering lights or zig-zags
-
Blind spots
-
Tingling
-
Difficulty speaking
3. Headache phase
-
One-sided, throbbing pain
-
Sensitivity to light, sound and touch
-
Nausea or vomiting
This can last hours, or even days.
4. Postdrome (the “migraine hangover”)
-
Brain fog
-
Dizziness
-
Exhaustion
-
Poor concentration
You’re nearly through it at this point, but it can still feel pretty rough.
Some symptoms people don’t always link to migraines
Migraines can affect far more than just your head:
-
Digestive issues, such as nausea or abdominal pain
-
Vertigo
-
Neck pain or stiffness
-
A sense of doom
-
Or even a short burst of energy or euphoria
Yes, really!
The bit everyone wants to know, what’s actually happening?
This is the frustrating part, we don’t fully know yet. But here’s the current understanding:
-
Certain channels in the brain become activated
-
The trigeminal nerve, which supplies the face and head, becomes irritated
-
This releases inflammatory chemicals like CGRP
-
These signals spread to different areas of the brain
Which leads to:
-
Aura, linked to the cortex
-
Nausea and body changes, linked to the brainstem
-
The headache itself, linked to the trigeminal nerve
In simple terms, a large network of nerves becomes overactive and hypersensitive, sending pain and sensory signals everywhere.
This also explains why symptoms vary so much. For example, balance issues may relate to coordination centres, and neck stiffness may relate to the nerves supplying the neck.
Why can migraines become more frequent?
Over time, repeated inflammation can make the nervous system more sensitive, this is called sensitisation.
This means:
👉 Smaller triggers can cause bigger reactions
👉 Migraines can happen more often
A bit of a vicious cycle, unfortunately.
Other factors being researched
Serotonin
Levels may drop between attacks, reducing your brain’s ability to dampen pain signals.
CGRP (Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide)
This plays a big role by increasing inflammation, sensitising nerves and affecting blood vessels.
Treatment, what can help?
-
NSAIDs (pain relief)
-
Triptans such as sumatriptan or zolmitriptan
-
Anti-nausea medication
-
CGRP-targeting medications
-
Serotonin-based medications
These aim to reduce inflammation, calm nerve activity and manage pain signalling.
Where does osteopathy fit in?
We can’t stop a migraine instantly, but we can help reduce contributing factors and support your body overall.
In clinic, we often focus on:
1. Musculoskeletal function
The neck, upper back and shoulders, all closely linked to migraine pathways
2. Reducing muscle tension
Particularly around the base of the skull
3. Circulation and lymphatic flow
Supporting fluid movement in the head and neck
4. Nervous system regulation
Helping the body shift out of that “overdrive” state
Techniques might include:
-
Soft tissue work
-
Myofascial release
-
Cranial osteopathy
-
Gentle joint mobilisation
Final thoughts
If you’ve made it this far, thank you for sticking with me! 😂
Migraines can feel unpredictable, overwhelming and honestly quite frightening. But hopefully this gives you a bit more clarity, and reassurance, that there are real biological reasons behind what you’re experiencing.
And importantly, there are ways we can support and manage them, even if we can’t completely switch them off.
If you ever want to chat about migraines, triggers or whether treatment might help, you can book a free 15 minute phone call with me!