Downward dog for migraine?
Effectiveness of yoga therapy for migraine treatment: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies. When I saw the title of this research article, I was immediately intrigued. I’ve been doing yoga for years, sporadically. I’d been told I should do yoga every day for migraine but I’ve never been able to find the time or the […]
When migraine is a pain in the neck
Many people with migraine experience neck pain during an attack. Does this mean we need to treate the neck to deal with migraine? In day-to-day language, including in the press, the word ‘migraine’ is often used synonymously with ‘headache’. Case in point: This recent Newshub article: “[Simon] O’Connor…caused a four-day migraine for his party with […]
Migraine triggers – or warning signs?
Studies show that some factors we commonly consider a migraine trigger are probably the prodromal phase of migraine. What exactly triggers a migraine attack? Many of us have spent too much time pondering on the cause of any particular attack – was it because of stress at work? A poor night’s sleep? A glass of […]
Menstrual migraine – a monthly monster
Many women dread their periods, but having migraine along for the ride can turn an uncomfortable event into a monster. Women are more likely to have migraine disease than men, but only after puberty. In children, the prevalence of migraine disease is the same in boys and girls. But once girls get their period, something […]
Nerve stimulation to treat migraine attacks
A new randomised controlled trial reports that stimulation of the largest facial nerve can treat a migraine attack. Most of us are familiar with taking medicines to treat a migraine attack – paracetamol, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as aspirin or ibuprofen, a triptan – but new treatments target the nervous system through devices, with no […]
Treatment of migraine in the emergency department
An evidence-based, medically reviewed treatment plan for people with migraine who visit the emergency department for acute treatment. Many of us with migraine disease end up at the emergency department (ED) at least once in our lives, especially if we’re struck with vomiting that means we can’t keep our regular medications in our stomachs. But […]
Unjustified dismissal for severe migraine – lessons for NZ
What a worker’s experience of unjustified dismissal tells us about the management of migraine in New Zealand. On 20 April 2022, the New Zealand Herald reported on a story about a mechanical technician, Shane Hawkins, who was awarded compensation for unjustified dismissal due to his persistent and debilitating migraine attacks. Two aspects of this story […]
