Migraines are far more than just an intense headache—they are a complex and debilitating neurological condition that affects millions of people worldwide. They come with a range of symptoms, from severe head pain to nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Migraines can significantly impact quality of life, often causing frustration and a sense of helplessness due to their unpredictability. But what if you could gain a deeper understanding of what is happening in your body during a migraine and learn how neurological systems contribute to this pain? This knowledge could potentially offer you new strategies for managing migraines without relying solely on traditional treatments.
In this post, we will explore migraines from a chiropractic neurology perspective, focusing on how the nervous system, including dysautonomia, influences the onset and severity of migraine attacks. We will also delve into how auras—visual and sensory disturbances that often precede a migraine—can be connected to dysfunction in different areas of the brain. This article is designed to provide valuable insights into how your nervous system might be involved, while offering practical suggestions for supporting your body and brain in reducing the frequency and intensity of migraines.
Migraines and Their Impact
A migraine is not just a headache—it is a neurological event. The hallmark of a migraine is intense, throbbing pain that can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and heightened sensitivity to light, sound, or smell. Migraines can last anywhere from a few hours to several days, and they are often debilitating, making it difficult to function in daily life.
What makes migraines so challenging is their unpredictability. While some people know exactly what triggers their migraine, such as certain foods or stress, others experience attacks without any clear cause. These attacks are often accompanied by a phenomenon known as an aura, which are sensory disturbances that act as a warning sign before the pain sets in. The aura can include visual changes, such as seeing flashing lights, blind spots, or zigzag patterns, and sometimes, it can also involve sensory disturbances like tingling in the hands or face.
For many people, understanding the cause and nature of migraines remains elusive. The truth is, while the precise mechanisms of migraines are still being researched, they are primarily a result of dysfunction within the nervous system, which affects how the brain processes pain and other sensory input.
How Your Nervous System is Involved
Migraines are not just caused by vascular changes (blood vessel dilation), though this is an important part of the process. From a chiropractic neurology perspective, migraines are viewed as a complex event in which various parts of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, interact in ways that result in intense pain and other symptoms.
One of the most important concepts in chiropractic neurology is understanding the role of dysautonomia—dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system (ANS)—and how it contributes to migraine development. The ANS is responsible for regulating essential bodily functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and respiration, often without conscious thought. Dysautonomia refers to a condition where the ANS does not function optimally, leading to imbalances between the sympathetic nervous system (which activates the fight-or-flight response) and the parasympathetic nervous system (which activates the rest-and-digest response). This imbalance can contribute to various migraine symptoms, including the presence of auras.
The Role of Auras: How Dysautonomia Affects Brain Areas
Auras are one of the most unique aspects of migraines. They are usually a warning sign that a migraine is about to begin, and they can vary greatly between individuals. Auras often manifest as visual disturbances, but they can also involve sensory changes, speech difficulties, and motor disturbances. While most commonly linked to the visual cortex of the brain, auras are thought to involve dysfunction in various regions of the brain, especially when dysautonomia is at play.
Visual Auras: The Role of the Occipital Lobe
The most common type of aura is visual, and it typically occurs before the headache phase of a migraine begins. Visual auras often include phenomena such as flashes of light, zigzag patterns, blind spots, or tunnel vision. These disturbances are believed to arise from dysfunction in the occipital lobe, the area of the brain responsible for processing visual information.
In the context of dysautonomia, the autonomic nervous system may cause instability in the blood flow to the occipital lobe or interfere with the way neural pathways in the brain process visual stimuli. This dysfunction could lead to the sensory disturbances that manifest as visual auras. When the autonomic system is imbalanced, it may contribute to the overactivation of certain brain regions, causing an overload of sensory information that results in visual phenomena.
Sensory Auras: The Role of the Parietal Lobe
In addition to visual auras, many people experience sensory disturbances, such as tingling or numbness, typically in the face or hands. These sensations are believed to be caused by activity in the parietal lobe, which processes sensory input from various parts of the body. Dysautonomia can affect the blood flow to the parietal lobe, leading to abnormal sensations. Furthermore, the overactivation of neural circuits in the brain can result in a heightened sensitivity to normal stimuli, leading to the tingling or “pins and needles” feeling that often accompanies these sensory auras.
Sensory auras can also be linked to the brain’s ability to balance sensory information with motor function. If there is dysfunction in how the brain processes sensory input, a person might experience strange sensations in their limbs or face, even though there is no actual external stimulus.
Motor Auras: The Role of the Motor Cortex
Motor auras, which are less common, involve temporary weakness or paralysis on one side of the body. These auras are linked to dysfunction in the motor cortex, the part of the brain responsible for coordinating voluntary movement. In individuals with dysautonomia, the autonomic nervous system may interfere with the regulation of motor activity, causing disruptions in how the brain communicates with the muscles. This disruption can lead to motor symptoms, such as weakness or numbness in one side of the body, typically seen in a hemiplegic migraine.
Brainstem and Trigeminal Nerve: The Intersection of Pain and Auras
The brainstem is another crucial area involved in both auras and pain perception. The brainstem controls many essential functions, including heart rate, breathing, and the transmission of pain signals. In migraines, the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for sensation in the face, is often activated. When the trigeminal nerve is stimulated, it can cause inflammation and pain in the blood vessels in the brain, contributing to the headache phase of a migraine. However, the brainstem plays a critical role in modulating this pain and can trigger the auras that precede the headache.
In cases of dysautonomia, the autonomic nervous system’s imbalance can affect the brainstem’s function, leading to abnormal pain processing and contributing to both the aura and the subsequent headache. A malfunctioning autonomic system may cause the brainstem to be hypersensitive, amplifying the perception of pain or sensory disturbances.
How Chiropractic Neurology Can Help
Chiropractic neurology offers a holistic approach to managing migraines. It focuses on understanding and optimizing the function of the nervous system, including the autonomic nervous system, to help reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks. By addressing dysautonomia and improving brain function, chiropractic neurology provides non-invasive strategies to manage migraines and their associated auras.
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Balancing the Autonomic Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system plays a significant role in the development of migraines, particularly in relation to auras. Chiropractic neurology often involves techniques that help restore balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the ANS. This balance is critical for managing stress, regulating blood flow, and controlling pain perception.
Simple lifestyle adjustments such as incorporating relaxation exercises, stress management techniques, and breathing exercises can help rebalance the ANS and reduce migraine triggers. Regular physical activity and proper sleep hygiene also support the overall functioning of the autonomic nervous system.
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Enhancing Brain Function Through Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. Chiropractic neurologists focus on harnessing neuroplasticity to retrain the brain and improve how it processes sensory information. By engaging in exercises or therapies designed to strengthen and enhance brain function, individuals with migraines can potentially reduce the frequency and intensity of their attacks.
Biofeedback and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are examples of techniques used to train the brain to respond more effectively to pain and sensory input. These strategies may help individuals manage the heightened sensory sensitivities that often accompany auras and migraines.
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Nutritional and Lifestyle Modifications
A holistic approach to managing migraines also involves addressing diet and lifestyle factors. Certain foods and beverages, such as those high in caffeine or sugar, can act as triggers for migraines. Additionally, dehydration, lack of sleep, and increased stress levels can worsen symptoms. Chiropractic neurologists may recommend dietary adjustments, such as increasing magnesium-rich foods or avoiding common food triggers, to support overall neurological health and reduce migraine frequency.
Adequate rest, hydration, and a balanced diet can play a vital role in reducing the risk of migraine attacks. Incorporating mindfulness techniques or regular physical activity can help manage stress and further support the autonomic nervous system.
Migraines are a complex neurological condition that involve dysfunction in various areas of the brain and nervous system. Auras, which are often present before the headache phase of a migraine, offer a unique window into how dysautonomia and other brain functions contribute to the condition. By understanding the role of the brainstem, the occipital and parietal lobes, and the autonomic nervous system, individuals can gain a better understanding of their migraines and how to manage them effectively.
Chiropractic neurology offers valuable insights and non-invasive strategies to help balance the nervous system, promote brain health, and reduce migraine severity. With the right tools and support, you can take a proactive role in managing your migraines and improving your quality of life.
If you or someone you love is suffering from migraines and you would like to learn how chiropractic neurology can help, contact the team at Georgia Chiropractic Neurology Center today. We look forward to hearing from you.
Written by Sophie Hose, DC, MS, DACNB, CCSP
Peer-Reviewed Sources:
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- Robbins, M. S., & Lipton, R. B. (2010). The epidemiology of migraines. Neurologic Clinics, 28(3), 533-545.