Migraines Explained: Common, Surprising, and Often Misunderstood Types — And What Actually Helps

Migraines are often misunderstood as “just bad headaches.” In reality, a migraine is a neurological condition that can affect far more than the head — influencing vision, balance, digestion, energy levels, and the nervous system as a whole.

For many people, migraines interfere with work, exercise, family life, and overall quality of life. Understanding what a migraine truly is — and how to support the nervous system preventatively — is an important step toward managing symptoms more effectively.

What Is a Migraine?

A migraine is a neurological event, not simply head pain. While head pain may be present, it is not required for a migraine to occur.

Migraines are thought to involve changes in how the brain processes sensory input and regulates blood vessels and nerve signaling. During a migraine, the brain becomes hypersensitive, making everyday stimuli feel overwhelming.

Common migraine symptoms may include:

• Throbbing or pressure-type head pain

• Sensitivity to light, sound, or smells

• Nausea or digestive upset

• Visual disturbances

• Dizziness or vertigo

• Fatigue or brain fog

Because migraines affect the nervous system, they often require a multidisciplinary approach, combining medical evaluation with supportive care.

The Most Common Types of Migraines

Migraine Without Aura (Most Common)

This is the most frequently diagnosed migraine type.

What it may feel like:

• Throbbing or pulsing head pain, often on one side

• Moderate to severe intensity

• Symptoms lasting hours to days

Common contributors include:

• Chronic stress

• Sleep disruption

• Prolonged screen time

• Neck, jaw, and upper back tension

• Hormonal fluctuations

Migraine With Aura

Migraine with aura includes neurological warning signs that occur before or during the migraine episode.

Aura symptoms may include:

• Visual changes (zig-zag lines, flashing lights, blind spots)

• Tingling or numbness in the face or limbs

• Temporary difficulty with speech

Although aura symptoms can feel alarming, they are usually temporary. Any new, changing, or severe neurological symptoms should always be evaluated by a medical professional.

Chronic Migraine

Chronic migraine is typically defined as:

• 15 or more headache days per month, with migraine features on many of those days

In chronic migraine, the nervous system often becomes sensitized, meaning it reacts more strongly to stressors that previously may not have caused symptoms.

The More Surprising (and Often Missed) Migraine Types

Vestibular Migraine

Vestibular migraines are frequently overlooked because head pain may be minimal or absent.

Primary symptoms include:

• Dizziness or vertigo

• Balance disturbances

• Motion sensitivity

• Nausea

Vestibular migraines are often mistaken for inner ear problems, anxiety, or low blood pressure. They commonly overlap with neck tension, visual strain, hormonal shifts, and nervous system overload.

Silent Migraine (Migraine Without Headache)

In silent migraines, individuals experience classic migraine symptoms without head pain.

Symptoms may include:

• Visual aura

• Nausea

• Fatigue

• Brain fog

Because pain is absent, many people do not realize they are experiencing migraines at all.

Hormonal Migraine

Hormonal migraines are linked to changes in estrogen levels and commonly occur:

• Around menstruation

• During perimenopause or menopause

• With hormonal shifts due to stress or sleep disruption

Hormones influence both blood vessel behavior and nervous system sensitivity, making certain life stages higher risk for migraines.

Cervicogenic Migraine Overlap

Neck dysfunction does not cause migraines, but it can trigger or amplify them.

Restriction or tension in the upper cervical spine, jaw, shoulders, and rib cage may increase sensory input to an already sensitive nervous system, making migraine episodes more likely or more intense.

What Is Actually Recommended for Migraine Care?

Medical Evaluation

Medical evaluation is important, especially for:

• New-onset migraines

• Worsening or changing symptoms

• Neurological signs

A neurologist can help confirm a diagnosis, rule out other causes, and recommend appropriate medical management when needed.

Supportive & Conservative Care

Supportive care focuses on reducing triggers and improving nervous system regulation between episodes.

Manual therapy and lifestyle-based approaches may help by:

• Reducing neck, jaw, and upper back tension

• Improving circulation and mobility

• Supporting parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) nervous system tone

• Addressing postural and breathing patterns that contribute to overload

Many individuals find preventative care more effective than only seeking help once a migraine has already started.

Preventative Care: Reducing Migraine Frequency & Nervous System Load

Migraines are highly individual. Prevention isn’t about eliminating every trigger — it’s about lowering the overall neurological load so the brain is less likely to tip into a migraine state.

Nervous System Regulation

A regulated nervous system is often less reactive.

Preventative strategies include:

• Consistent sleep and wake times

• Regular meals to stabilize blood sugar

• Gentle daily movement rather than overtraining

• Stress-reduction practices that calm the nervous system

Posture, Neck, Jaw & Upper Back Care

The head does not function in isolation.

Chronic tension or restriction in the neck, jaw, shoulders, and rib cage can increase sensory input to the brain. Preventative care focuses on:

• Postural awareness (especially head-forward posture)

• Jaw relaxation habits

• Breathing patterns that expand the rib cage rather than the neck and shoulders

Manual Therapy as Preventative Support

Manual therapy does not replace medical care, but it can play a valuable supportive role by:

• Reducing musculoskeletal tension that feeds migraine patterns

• Supporting circulation and mobility

• Encouraging parasympathetic nervous system activation

• Addressing strain patterns before they escalate

Regular preventative sessions are often more effective than crisis-based care alone.

Hydration & Electrolyte Balance

Dehydration is a common and underestimated migraine trigger.

Preventative considerations include:

• Adequate daily fluid intake

• Maintaining electrolyte balance, especially for active individuals or those prone to dizziness

Hormonal Awareness

Hormonal changes influence nervous system sensitivity.

Tracking symptoms, adjusting activity levels, and prioritizing recovery during hormonal shifts can help reduce migraine vulnerability.

Sensory Load Management

Modern life places a high demand on the nervous system.

Preventative strategies include:

• Limiting prolonged screen exposure

• Reducing visual strain

• Building quiet, low-stimulation breaks into the day

This is especially important for vestibular and aura-based migraines.

A Thoughtful, Integrated Approach

Migraines are not a personal failure — they are a signal that the nervous system needs support.

For many people, the most effective approach includes:

• Medical oversight

• Lifestyle adjustments

• Nervous system education

• Supportive manual therapy

Over time, this integrated strategy may help reduce both the frequency and intensity of migraine episodes and improve overall quality of life.