If you’ve ever had a migraine, you know how intense they can be—and there’s a high chance you’ll experience another one. Migraines don’t occur constantly, but when they strike, it can feel like an explosion in your head.
Chances are you’ve tried everything to stop them—medications, lifestyle changes—but the triggers still seem elusive. And while medications may help, they often come with side effects that disrupt daily life.
If you experience migraines with aura, however, you have a slight advantage: early warning signs that may give you time to intervene.
What Are Migraines with Aura?
- Headaches that begin with early warning signs, known as prodrome
- Account for about 1 in 5 migraine cases
- Symptoms start 30 minutes or less before the headache
- Prodrome can last 5–20 minutes and sometimes continue after the headache
Common Aura Symptoms
- Blind spots or scotomas
- Partial loss of vision or blurred vision
- Seeing zigzags or flashes of light
- Paresthesia (tingling, tickling, burning, or agitation of the skin)
- Weakness
- Hallucinations
Preventing Migraines with Aura
Since you have only a short window between the aura and the headache, acting quickly can help reduce pain:
- Turn off the lights – Rest in a dark, quiet room
- Temperature therapy – Ice packs numb, heating pads relax muscles
- Massage – Neck and shoulder massage relieves tension
Upper Cervical Care for Migraines
You don’t have to suffer through migraines. A Board-Certified NUCCA Doctor can examine your upper cervical spine to identify misalignments in the Atlas and Axis vertebrae. Correcting these misalignments allows your brain and body to communicate optimally, which may reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines.
For more information, visit www.nuccawashington.com.
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Dr. Craig Lapenski at Advanced Spinal Care, in Graham, Washington is one of 27 Board Certified NUCCA Doctors worldwide. His clinic serves the highest quality upper cervical care in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Lapenski also serves a number of patients who are out of state including Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, New York, and more! He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines, headaches, fibromyalgia, vertigo, neck pain, back pain, and more. More information can be found on our website at https://www.nuccawashington.com/