Migraine
Migraines are caused by improper neurological function, resulting in attacks that can last from hours to days. People who suffer with migraines have a sensitive nervous system that is easily overstimulated by things such as stress, lack of sleep, certain foods, and changes in weather. Each person that experiences migraines has unique triggers that bring about their symptoms in varying levels from mild to debilitating, but these triggers are all rooted in the hypersensitivity of their nervous system.
What is a Migraine?
There are different areas of the brain that are commonly responsible for causing migraine symptoms, and it is incredibly important to address neurological deficits in these areas when treating migraine.
Migraine causes central desensitization of the nervous system - this is why patients with migraine can experience a wide array of symptoms that doesn’t always include pain.
There are typical and atypical migraines. With typical migraine headaches, patients will experience the classical pain patterns associated with migraine. These can occur with and without aura. Some types of atypical migraine that we see at CFNC include, but are not limited to, vestibular migraine, abdominal migraine, hemiplegic migraine and ocular migraine.
Migraine Evaluation
When we are working with migraine patients, we first conduct an in-depth examination to look at their nervous system, understand the health of the neurons in many different areas of their brain, review their nutritional habits, understand their hormonal balance, and make sure their musculoskeletal system is in tip-top shape. Initial tests include a full bedside neurological exam, an autonomic evaluation, video-oculography, computerized posturography, neural timing mechanisms, and lab work. Once the initial examination results are reviewed, a customized treatment plan is created to address the root cause of the patient’s migraine symptoms.
Diagnostic Testing for Migraine
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Neurological exam
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Autonomic evaluation
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Video-oculography
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Computerized Posturography
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Neuro-Timing Evaluations
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Lab Work
Migraine Treatment
Migraine symptoms are multifactorial and in need of a multimodal approach to treatment. At Carolina Functional Neurology Center, we focus on four healing factors: neurological, nutrition, hormones, and biomechanics. Some patients have tried these treatments individually in the past with little to no success, but when we combine multiple approaches or utilize the approaches from a different perspective we see healing take place.
By looking at the body as a whole and combining treatments, we simultaneously bring about results. Even if an approach has been unsuccessful by itself in the past, it does not mean that it isn’t part of the puzzle. Treatment options may include tilt table therapy, neuromodulation, eye movement therapy, vestibular rehabilitation, musculoskeletal therapy, chiropractic care, nutritional counseling, and supplementation.
Common Treatment Methods for Migraine
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Tilt Table Therapy
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Orthostatic Retraining
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Neurological Rehabilitation
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Neuromodulation
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Vestibular Rehabilitiation
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Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
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Nutritional Counseling
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Individualized Supplementation
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Red Light Therapy
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Eye Movement Therapy
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Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
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Bemer Therapy
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Chiropractic Adjustments
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Musculoskeletal Therapy
