A migraine is a headache on steroids. It comes with disabling symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, extreme sensitivity to sound, light, touch, smell, and tingling or numbness in the extremities or face. About 25% of migraine sufferers also have a visual disturbance called an aura, where one may see flashing or shimmering lights, zigzagging lines, or stars, some people describe psychedelic images, it may also cause blind spots in your field of vision. Science believes that migraines are more than likely genetically induced, as well as being somewhat akin to epilepsy. Both conditions revolve around highly sensitive neurons or brain cells. If you suffer from migraines your chances of also dealing with epilepsy are much higher. In fact, some of the most effective medications for migraines were actually first developed to treat epilepsy (Depakote, Topamax.)
Who Is Affected
Migraines are the 3rd most prevalent illness in the world and the 6th most disabling. In the U.S. migraines affect the lives of more than 38 million people, with 18% women, 6% men and though migraine attacks are most common between the ages of 25-55, 10% of children also deal with migraines (before puberty, boys are affected more than girls, however during adolescence the risk and severity rises in girls). While most who suffer from migraines experience an attack once or twice a month more than 4 million (85% of them women) suffer from chronic migraines dealing with at least 15 attacks per month. Migraines tend to run in families with about 90% of suffers having a family history with the condition (back to genetics).
Everyone is affected by migraines with more than 90% of sufferers unable to work or function normally during their migraine. More than 157 million workdays are lost each year and cost are estimated to be as high as $36 billion annually in the U.S. alone due to healthcare and lost productivity.
What Triggers a Migraine
It’s hard to say what actually triggers migraines. It’s different for everyone. Those living with migraines begin to see a pattern in what they eat, stress levels, thought patterns with depression, anxiety, emotional disturbances, hormonal imbalances, change in weather, low blood sugar, lack of sleep, neck tension, poor posture, etc. because they can all be triggers. People living with migraines tend to know when they are pushing things a little too far and adjust their lives due to the fear of the onset of a migraine.
Migraines, Energetically Speaking
Energetically speaking migraines are directly related to the 6th and 7th chakras, or the Third Eye/Brow and Crown chakras. However chakras 5 and 4, the throat and heart, chakras can also play a big role, so when receiving any kind of chakra energy or Reiki healing it is vital to have all the chakras attended to and balanced to help manage all underlying causes of the migraine.
The Third Eye/6th Chakra is located between the eyebrows right above the bridge of your nose. This is where “We” lie. It is our conscious, the center of our perception and command. It directs our sight and everyday awareness of the world, our inner world and outer. Not only is this the center of how we see ourselves and the external world but is the seat of understanding, it balances the important and unimportant, sorts meaning from data as well as a direct association with the pineal gland, found to be one the greatest regulators of our body as is the Third Eye for it is through this chakra, the Third Eye chakra, we can control the flow of energy within all the other chakras.
Third Eye in balance:
We see life with clarity and possess strong intuition.
Are able to interpret visual cues and our perception is high.
Thoughts and internal communications with ourselves are healthy and vibrant.
Have perspective on events and ideas.
Are open to new ideas, dreams, and visions.
Can be quietly observant, and reflective.
Emotional balance.
Third Eye out of balance:
Migraines/headaches, tension in the forehead.
Vision problems
Seizures
Insomnia
Nausea
Sinus issues
Struggling to find meaning in life
Disconnected from intuition
Difficulty in making decisions
Feeling lost when it comes to spiritual purpose and life path
Frustration that there is something
wrong or out of alignment.
Crown Chakra/7th chakra is located at the top of the head, controlling the entire crown area. It deals with wisdom, intelligence, and a sense of spiritual connection. Its unbalancing can result in migraines along with other problems such as stress, fatigue, etc. This chakra is in direct contact with your Soul Star chakra, higher self, and beyond into universal energy.
The Crown chakra is primarily associated with the pituitary gland, the master gland because it controls several other hormone glands in your body, including the thyroid, adrenals, ovaries, and testicles. It is also closely associated with the pineal gland and the hypothalamus, the link between the nervous system and the endocrine system via the pituitary gland. Simply and physically speaking, because of the Crown Chakra’s location, it is directly associated with the brain and the entire nervous system.
Signs of a Well-Balanced Crown Chakra
Feel connected to the higher self.
Great intuitive knowledge and wisdom.
Awareness of the spiritual self.
Selflessly devoted to the well-being of others.
Recognize divine intelligence.
An awareness that there are no coincidences.
Have the courage to make choices that align with the spirit.
Have an understanding that death is not the end.
Signs of an Out of Balance Crown Chakra
Migraines/headaches.
Neurological disorders.
Nerve pain.
Thyroid and pineal gland disorders.
Alzheimer’s.
Schizophrenia and delusional disorders.
Insomnia.
Depression.
Isolation and loneliness.
Inability to connect with others.
Lack of direction.
Inability to set or maintain goals.
Feeling disconnected spiritually
For many suffers, migraine is a chronic disease that significantly diminishes the quality of life. Isolation may exist for fear of a migraine coming on, dealing with a migraine, or dealing with the after effect of a migraine a ‘hangover’ so to speak which can last for several days afterward. Those who have sought out conventional treatment for their migraines are never too far away from their script bottle, a prescription written for symptoms, not the underlying cause. Unfortunately, medication overuse is the most common reason why this condition goes from episodic to chronic. Those with chronic migraines have an increased risk for multiple physical and psychiatric conditions from simply being exhausted physically, mentally, and emotionally.
What is Reiki
Rei – Universal Life, Ki – Energy. Reiki is universal life energy. Reiki healing was introduced in the early 1900s in Japan by a man named Mikao Usui. However, as universal life force, this type of healing has been around since the beginning of time and is something that is available to all of us. Reiki healing, Reiki massage, hypnotherapy with Reiki, guided meditation with Reiki, yoga with Reiki (all of which In One’s Element offers) is simply infusing universal life energy into a healing practice. A Reiki practitioner has been trained to channel this universal life force from surrounding pure energies into the client. As far as myself personally (and many other Reiki Masters), I not only channel energy into, but clear the yuck energy that can get stagnant inside the body, from physical accidents to mental and emotional pain, get chakras balanced, and create an energetic flow going throughout the entire physical and energetic system.
How Reiki can Help Migraine Sufferers
Your body is designed to heal itself. When the Third Eye chakra is having issues, we disconnect with our higher self and it is easy to forget that we/you have the power. Reiki can re-balance this 6th chakra giving the receiver a remembrance of who they really are. Third Eye re-balancing along with giving power back into the Solar Plexus chakra/3rd chakra empowers the sufferer and gives them the tools to start on the path to healing. Remember a migraine is a symptom of a deeper issue. It is a message, just a very unfortunate uncomfortable one. Try not to get too caught up in the moment of a migraine. When you feel a migraine coming on do self Reiki or call your Reiki practitioner immediately. Allow Reiki healing to do its magic by reducing pain, stress and promote relaxation. Give yourself that power boost from the Universe that is so badly needed. Yes, migraines are a message that the brain is literally not functioning optimally due changes in blood flow, or chemicals, or whatever, but there are options for help other than bed, shades drawn, popping a pill, or receiving an injection.
In One’s Element offers distant and in-person Reiki and/or hypnotherapy sessions in our private space in Prescott, Arizona. We also highly encourage any and all (especially those who suffer or live with someone who suffers with chronic issues) to learn energy healing. In One’s Element offers several Reiki certification courses throughout the year as well as works with individuals one-on-one to become Reiki certified. Be done with feeling helpless and take control of your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Reach out to us today with any questions or to schedule a session.