The possible warning signs of a migraine, all lumped under the umbrella term “aura,” are bad enough; some people get visual disturbances. Flashes of light. Blind spots. Tingling on the side of the face or in an arm or leg. Difficulty speaking. Then comes the main event — a headache characterized by severe, throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head. A migraine is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, or some combination thereof.
For some people, the whole thing may start a day or two before, with constipation, mood change, food cravings, neck stiffness, increased urination, fluid retention and frequent yawning. This is called the prodrome. The migraine itself can last from four to 72 hours if untreated. Their frequency varies from person to person. After an attack, you might feel drained and confused. This is called the post-dome. Physical therapy, which focuses on the mechanical causes of migraines, can be very effective in treating migraines to lessen their severity.
