Migraine Phases and How They Can Affect You and Your Work

Rochester NY migraine chiropractor

Migraines remain one of the leading reasons behind a missed day at work and patient visits to an upper cervical chiropractor in Rochester. It’s also among the most significant contributors to office productivity loss, accounting for more than $13 billion revenue loss each year. The worst part is that it affects working professionals in various ways, depending on the severity of the phases present during an episode. 

Are you among the millions of hardworking employees who have frequent migraine attacks? If yes, you might find it helpful to learn as much as you can about your condition and how it can impact your everyday life at your workplace.

 

How many phases does a migraine attack have? 

Do you monitor your migraines regularly? If you do, then you likely learned from your Rochester NY migraine chiropractor how often you may have an episode and what sort of symptoms you may experience. And, if you’re observing patterns, you probably notice distinct phases. 

According to studies, migraine attacks typically consist of four stages: prodrome, aura, headache phase, and post-drome. Each of these stages has distinguishing characteristics. Here’s a closer at them:

Prodrome

A significant number of people visiting our office share with our upper cervical chiropractor in Rochester that they experience the prodrome phase. In most cases, the symptoms show about two hours before the pain or headache phase occurs. Below are some of its hallmark signs:

  • Depression, anxiety, stress
  • Mood swings 
  • Odd food cravings
  • Stiff or painful neck 
  • Noise or sound sensitivity 
  • Bowel problems

Aura Phase

Not all working professionals with migraine symptoms experience the aura phase. However, those who have it report severe disabling effects. Some can’t look at their computer screen, walk in a straight line, or drive when they experience aura phase symptoms such as: 

  • Seeing wavy lines, stars, or shimmering lights
  • Experiencing tunnel vision
  • Speech or communication difficulties
  • Facial muscle numbness
  • Paresthesia on the hands, nose, and mouth
  • Vertigo episodes 
  • Impaired motor functions 
  • Delusions or hallucinations

Headache Phase

The headache phase causes the most disruption in office activities. That’s because when the pain sets in, it becomes harder to concentrate, let alone do anything. Besides the unbearable headache, the pain phase of a migraine attack also triggers the following symptoms:

  • Vomiting and nausea
  • Sensory sensitivity
  • Lethargy and fatigue
  • Irritability
  • Nasal congestion
  • Anxiety or depression
  • Giddiness
  • Neck pain 

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and migraines and other headaches, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.

Postdrome Phase

The postdrome phase, also known as the ‘hangover phase,’ has earned its famous moniker because it causes lingering headache phase symptoms. It can go on for 24 to 48 hours after the painful stage. You can distinguish it from the other migraine phases by spotting the following signs:

  • Mood changes
  • Weakness
  • Cognitive problems 
  • Impaired concentration
  • Depressive or euphoric mood
  • Gastrointestinal issues

Are there specific jobs that cause more intense migraine attacks? 

Migraines affect more than 50 percent of the American population. It also appears to leave worse impacts on women than men because of its close link to the fluctuating levels of estrogen. In addition, studies note that it gets worse for people who frequently get stressed out or have a family history of migraines.

Interestingly, additional research finds that some workers have an increased risk of developing worse migraine attacks. Here are quick facts:  

  • Shift workers are 72 percent more likely to experience migraines compared to regular workers.
  • Doctors, nurses, and other practicing healthcare professionals suffer worse migraine attacks than other workers due to the intense stress they experience.
  • Stress and prolonged exposure to computer screens large contribute to migraine attacks in office workers. 

How can you cope with migraines when you’re at work? 

Migraines are an inevitable part of a working professional’s life. As your stress levels increase because of deadlines, daily commute problems, or other factors, you become more and more susceptible to a severe and debilitating attack.  So how do you cope? What are your options for relief besides visiting a Rochester NY migraine chiropractor? Check out some of the things that migraineurs use to alleviate their symptoms:

  • Taking medications like pain relievers, triptans, or ergotamines
  • Trying acupuncture or acupressure therapy
  • Practicing relaxation techniques
  • Getting a soothing body massage
  • Managing your time and stressors
  • Keeping tabs on your water intake
  • Eating enough while at work
  • Stretching in between your work hours
  • Trying aromatherapy to relax the mind and body
  • Receiving upper cervical chiropractic adjustments

 

Get the Help of a Reliable Upper Cervical Chiropractor in Rochester

Indeed, it can be frustrating to deal with frequent migraine attacks. It can prevent you from performing well, meeting daily quotas, or contributing to a team project. It can also jeopardize your job, especially if it causes you to miss several days of your work schedule. 

Thankfully, you can potentially lessen the frequency of your migraine attacks with the help of upper cervical care. It’s a chiropractic method that focuses on the C1 and C2 bone alignment. Case studies show that upper cervical chiropractic adjustments can help migraineurs experience less severe attacks.

It works by removing the undue pressure that the misaligned bones put on your nerves and brainstem. It also helps improve brain signal transmission to help your body heal and recover faster. We highly recommend consulting with Dr. Ryan, a reliable Rochester NY migraine chiropractor. He can take a look at your upper neck bones and see if you have cervical subluxation due to poor posture at work or a previous injury to your head or neck.Contact Upstate Sports and Spine Upper Cervical Chiropractic via our online form or telephone number 585-413-1202.

 

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Uribe, call our Rochester office at 585-413-1202. You can also click the button below.

If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.

Upstate Sports & Spine is proud to be located in the heart of Brighton. This part of Brighton is known for being the medical services hub of Rochester, NY. We are excited to be positioned in a region of the metro that is easily accessible from anywhere.
Learn More
2048 Clinton Ave. S. Rochester, NY 14618 
585-413-1202
info@upstatesportsandspine.com
Mon: 9am-6pm
Tues: 9am-6pm 
Wed: 12pm-7pm
Thur: 9am-6pm
Fri: 9am-12pm
Sat: by appt
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