Core Strength for Migraine Relief? Yes, Please!
What do your abs have to do with your head? A lot, as it turns out. Here at A Life in Balance, we’ve been working with this amazing woman named Bernadette who has struggled for years with agonizing migraines. Her mom (who had experienced welcome relief from her severe back pain while working with us) urged Bernadette to come see us about her migraines. As we began working with Bernadette, we all had an incredible experience helping her take control of her health and migraine relief through holistic physical therapy. Her discovery that core body strength had a surprising impact on her migraine situation was epic.
Whole-Body Migraine Relief with Physical Therapy
“I came to ALIB after suffering for years from poor posture, neck pain, and migraines,” says Bernadette. “I was generally able to function well enough most days, but the times when I did get migraines, I would often be left unable to function. Neck pain has also been quite constant for me, which has affected my comfort when doing daily tasks.”
Bernadette was right to link her neck pain with the migraines, and that gave us a chance to introduce the concept that improving her posture could bring her lasting relief.
“A Life in Balance is the third physical therapy location I have been to for these issues. I felt the first two places I went to were helpful to an extent at the moment, but neither made any lasting change, and neither addressed my whole body in the way that ALIB has.”
Holistic Migraine Relief
More than 37 million Americans like Bernadette know the excruciating struggle of migraines. CDC statistics show that twice as many women as men report suffering migraines, while about 10 percent of children experience them as well. Echoing Bernadette’s experience, most migraine sufferers report significant interruptions in their schooling, career, and day-to-day lives when these headaches strike. In an effort to head off the pain, most people rely on some sort of painkiller.
“The only way I had been able to stop my migraines in the past has been taking ibuprofen,” explains Bernadette. “If I couldn’t stop a migraine in time, I would be left unable to function, with pain behind my eyes and sensitivity to light.”
How is Posture Connected to Migraines?
As we got to know Bernadette during our first visits, we were able to discover a link between her neck pain, posture, and migraines. “I have had poor posture for as long as I can remember,” says Bernadette. “A teacher in 3rd grade commented on how I needed to better my posture. Over the years, I have noticed how posture and neck pain have contributed to me getting migraines.”
In today's digitally connected world, the importance of good posture cannot be overstated. When our core posture is compromised, it weakens the muscles that provide vital support to our entire body. With many of us spending hours hunched over our devices, our core strength suffers, leading to poor neck posture and ultimately triggering tension headaches and migraines. Despite the significant impact that posture has on migraines, this connection is often overlooked, overshadowed by other contributing factors such as stress, sleep, hydration, and nutrition.
Understanding this link between posture and migraines enabled us to come up with a plan to help Bernadette reduce migraines by building her core strength, bolstering her posture, and helping her with lifestyle adaptations that reduced her stress levels. It wasn’t always easy, but Bernadette inspired us with her commitment to improve. “My favorite, yet most challenging exercise is probably doing planks,” says Bernadette. “I also have a love/hate relationship with squats and burpees.”
Say Goodbye to Migraines Naturally
As challenging as she found the exercises at first, her determination to do them has been rewarded! In addition to these exercises, she has added a regular walk with her dog and yoga practice into the mix for extra stress reduction.
“I learned so much about how my muscles work as a system and how important my core is to all of my movement! ALIB has given me the tools to alleviate my migraines without the need to take medication,” says Bernadette. “The team has helped me to tune into my body more and helped me be able to recognize what muscles I'm using. Then I turn on my core. This has helped me to be able to live my life more fully, with less pain and discomfort.”
PT for Migraines
If you’ve been struggling with migraines and haven’t found the relief you want, reach out to A Life in Balance for physical therapy in Flemington. Our holistic approach to migraine relief has given Bernadette a new lease on life, and we can help you too! As Bernadette concludes, “I would recommend ALIB because the team is extremely knowledgeable about the body as a system, they truly care about their patient's well-being, and they make physical therapy fun and positive! I don't worry anymore about when my neck pain or migraines may come on, and if they do, I know how to address them. Thank you, ALIB team!”
