Migraines and headaches are painful and debilitating conditions that can seriously impact a person’s quality of life. Many people who suffer from these conditions have reported experiencing more pain at night, leading to difficulties sleeping and feeling rested. But is there any truth to this claim? In this blog post, we’ll explore whether migraines and headaches hurt more at night, what might be causing this phenomenon, and how physiotherapy and chiropractic care can help alleviate symptoms.
Firstly, it’s important to understand what causes migraines and headaches. While the exact causes are not fully understood, they are often related to changes in brain chemistry or blood flow. Stress, certain foods or drinks, hormonal changes, lack of sleep or too much sleep, bright lights or loud noises can all trigger migraines or headaches.
One theory for why migraines and headaches may hurt more at night is related to changes in the body’s natural pain response. Our bodies produce higher levels of endorphins – natural painkillers – during the day than at night. This means that when a headache or migraine strikes at night when our endorphin levels are naturally lower, it may feel more intense than during the day.
Another explanation could be related to posture and tension in the neck muscles. Poor posture throughout the day can lead to tension in the neck muscles which contribute to headaches. At night when we lie down our neck muscles relax which can cause tension release resulting in increased pain levels.
It is important to considered that everyone feels pain differently. Some people may experience migraine and headache pain constantly, while others may have pain from migraines and headaches when resting.
Now let’s talk about how physiotherapy can help with migraines & headaches. Physiotherapists use various techniques such as manual therapy, soft tissue release & acupuncture, etc., which have been proven effective in reducing symptoms of migraines & headaches caused by muscle tension around the head & neck region.
Similarly chiropractors also provide relief from migraines and headaches by utilizing spinal manipulation techniques. Restrictions in the spine can cause nerve irritation which may trigger migraines or headaches. Chiropractors can help alleviate these symptoms with gentle adjustments to the spine, which can reduce nerve irritation and improve overall spinal function.
While there is no definitive answer as to whether migraines and headaches hurt more at night, it’s clear that many people experience increased pain during this time. Whether it’s related to changes in endorphin levels, posture, or other factors, the good news is that there are effective treatments available. Physiotherapy and chiropractic care are both great options for reducing the frequency and intensity of migraines and headaches. If you’re experiencing frequent headaches or migraines, don’t suffer in silence – reach out to a qualified physiotherapist or chiropractor today!
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with a Waterloo chiropractor at CARESPACE. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
