Migraine headaches are not simply a severe headache. Migraines are part of a neurological condition and often have other symptoms, including:
Migraines can be debilitating and a chronic condition that can impact daily life for some people.
There are many different medications used to treat and prevent migraines. But some people prefer to use natural treatments as alternatives or to supplement medical treatment.
Here are some natural remedies for migraines that people may want to try:
Acupressure involves the application of pressure to specific parts of the body. Stimulating specific points of the body in this way is believed to release muscle tension and alleviate pain.
One popular pressure point is the LI-4 point in the space between the base of the left thumb and pointer finger. Applying firm but not painful circular pressure to the LI-4 point, using the opposite hand for 5 minutes, may relieve headache pain.
Many people who get migraines notice certain foods can trigger them.
Common food triggers for migraines include:
Being aware of what might be triggering a migraine is critical. Some people use a food diary or migraine journal to keep track of potential triggers.
Essential oils are often used as natural remedies or as an antimicrobial in homemade cleaning products. Lavender is an essential oil often recommended as a remedy for stress, anxiety, and headaches.
Stress is a common trigger for migraines. Stress can also create a cycle where migraine pain worsens the stress, which then triggers another migraine. Finding outlets for stress, such as journaling, exercise, or meditation, may help to prevent future migraines.
Yoga is thought to help improve blood flow and reduce muscle tension, which can help relieve symptoms for people who get migraines. A comprehensive 2014 study compared conventional migraine treatment with and without the addition of regular yoga practice. The researchers found that the group who participated in a yoga program had greater relief than the group who joined in conventional treatment alone.
People need to collaborate with a doctor or migraine specialist to find a treatment regimen that works, even when trying natural remedies.
Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) are electrodiagnostic tests that measure the electrical activity of muscles and nerves. These tests may be an important part of a spine patient’s work-up by their doctor. Besides back pain or neck pain, some patients with a spine-related problem report unexplained symptoms, numbness and/or tingling sensations, muscle cramping, or weakness in an extremity (eg, one or both arms, legs). EMG and NCV join forces to help get to the bottom of why those symptoms are occurring.
Your doctor may refer you to a neurologist and/or physiatrist for an EMG and NCV. Both tests are often performed during the same appointment. An EMG and NCV may be used to determine:
EMG measures muscle response to nerve stimulation and evaluates electrical activity within selected muscle fibers. This test may help differentiate between a muscle disorder and a nerve disorder, which can help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis.
During an EMG, a thin needle electrode is inserted through your skin into a specific muscle. As you relax and contract the muscle, the electrical impulses are recorded on an oscilloscope, a device that displays the electrical impulses in a wave-like pattern. Additionally, the doctor may listen to the results through a speaker.
NCV measures the speed at which an electrical impulse travels along a nerve.
During an NCV, patch-like electrodes are applied to your skin in several places over the nerve to be tested. Low-level electricity is dispensed through the electrodes to stimulate the nerve. The amount of electricity is similar to a shock from static electricity. The velocity at which the electrical signal flows through the nerve is measured and displayed on a screen.
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All proceeds go towards our Parkinson's research!
Neurology Consultants of Nebraska, P.C., was founded in 2005 by Dr. Pamela Santamaria. Our clinic has grown to become one of the premier neurology centers in Omaha. Our team of talented neurologists, dedicated nurses and assistants, and caring and friendly office staff, is well equipped to provide neurological care to you and your loved ones. Each physician in our practice is a well trained, general adult neurologist.
Some of the conditions we treat are:
Ataxias
Dementias including Alzheimer's disease
Dystonia
Headaches/migraines
Multiple Sclerosis
Neuropathy
Parkinson's disease
Essential Tremor & other movement disorders
Seizures/epilepsy
Strokes / Cerebrovascular Disease
Have a question or would like to learn more? Contact us for a free, no obligation consultation.
Here are our 2019 Holiday Hours. If you have any questions, please call (402) 391-7246. 🎄🎁
STROKE COLLABORATIVE 2019Hosted by: Bellevue Medical Center
Nebraska Medicine Continuing Education
When: November 15, 2019
Where: Live Presentation at Bellevue 2500 Bellevue Medical Center Dr.
Time: 0800-1000
Topics:
Target Audience: Physicians, Nurses, and other healthcare professionals caring for
stroke patients
Registration:
Nebraska Medicine Employees: Will Register in Apollo – TBD Not in Apollo yet
All others sign in at time of class and scan sign-in to jsiebels@nebraskamed.com
2.0 Contact Hours Awarded
Nebraska Medicine is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Midwest Multistate Division, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
You must be able to attend the entire educational activity to receive contact hours. No partial credit will be awarded.
Remote Locations:
Bellevue: Board Room CUMC Bergan - Cancer Center Four Seasons NMC: MSC 2018 Immanuel: Cancer Center Conf Room 1 Midlands: Ogram Suite Lakeside: Siemens Theater
Jennie Ed: Bluffs Room Mercy: Board Room Methodist: Cornhusker Room
Women's: Picotte Room
Click Here for Event Flier for Download: BMC Nov 2019 Stroke Collaborative Flyer
So your doctor ordered an EMG. What is that? EMG stands for electromyogram or simply a study to look at the electrical activity of the muscles. This is actually only part of the examination. The other part of the study is what is commonly referred to as the NCS or nerve conduction studies. Nerve conduction studies are a way for the examiner to evaluate the ability of your nerves to appropriately conduct electricity. Nerves are like the electrical wiring in your house. They are the electrical wires in our bodies. They are what carry the signals to our muscles to tell them to contract when you need to use them, such as lifting something, smiling, or walking. They also carry the signals from your skin back to your spinal cord and ultimately your brain to tell you if you are touching something hot, cold, soft, rough, etc. These nerves can malfunction and send the signal to your brain that you are being poked by pins and needles, being stung by bees, have cold or hot water running down your leg, or any number of strange sensations that are not really there. The NCS/EMG is the study that helps us figure out how well those nerves are working and specific pattern of the nerves that are damaged. From here, we are better able to determine a specific diagnosis and treatment options.
Some helpful tips about preparing for your NCS/EMG study.
Wear loose clothing
Do not apply lotion the day of the exam
Expect the study to take 30-90 minutes depending on the extent of the exam ordered
If the study is on the hands, minimize jewelry on the day of your exam
Common conditions evaluated by NCS/EMG
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Ulnar neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy
Radiculopathy (pinched nerve in the neck or back)
More complex nerve and muscle diseases
Is the study painful?
During the study you will have small stickers (electrodes) applied to your skin which in turn are connected to a computer. The examiner will then send a small electrical current through your nerves, one at a time. These are very short, less than a fraction of a second. Some people report these stimulations as mildly uncomfortable, but nearly everyone states it was much more tolerable than expected.
The EMG portion of the study involves a tiny electrode which will be placed under the skin while recording the electrical activity of the muscle. This has been compared to acupuncture by many patients. Again, most people report this as much more tolerable than expected.
Why can’t I just have the MRI?
Many patients question why they can’t have an MRI and skip the EMG. The two studies give us different information. An MRI tells us what your anatomy LOOKS like. It can show a pinched nerve which may or may not be causing some of the issues at hand. However, an NCS/EMG tells us how the nerve and muscle are FUNCTIONING. The two studies work together to give your physician more information about the right therapy to benefit you.
The physician will be happy to answer any questions you have about the exam at the time of the study.
Jonathan Moravek, M.D.
Dr. Santamaria completed undergraduate training at University of Iowa, graduating with a BS in psychology, in 1993. She attended medical school at University of Iowa and received her doctorate of medicine, in 1998. She then completed her medical internship and neurology residency training, at the University of Utah, graduating in 2002.
Dr. Santamaria grew up in Omaha and has worked in Omaha since the beginning of her practice in 2002. She founded Neurology Consultants of Nebraska in 2005.
Dr. Santamaria is a neurologist with broad interests in neurology. Her special interests include multiple sclerosis, and movement disorders, including the use of botulinum toxins and deep brain stimulation for treatment of neurological disorders. She provides EMG services and also manages vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) for epilepsy. She also is involved in Parkinson's disease research. Dr. Santamaria provides neurological care to adults of all ages and to children 12 years of age and older.
Dr. Santamaria's hobbies include spending time with family, skiing, pottery, and traveling.
Please call the office at 402-552-2650 to make an appointment today
Dr Puente joined Neurology Consultants of Nebraska in 2016. He is a native of Omaha, graduating from Creighton University undergrad. He attended UNMC for medical school and graduated from Neurology at UNMC training in 2004. Dr Puente lives in Lincoln, Nebraska and sees patients in both Lincoln and Omaha. He has an outreach clinic in Nebraska City. Dr Puente practices general neurology with interest in Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's. He can manage deep brain stimulator for Parkinson's patients, as well as Vagal Nerve Stimulator for epilepsy. He is trained in botox use for migraine. When not in clinic, he can be found runnning on the trails or watching soccer. He likes steak.
Please call the office at 402-552-2650 to make an appointment today
Thanks to the American Heart Association for the information on heart disease and stroke and to Breathwork Science for the illustration
"It’s 2019! New year, new you, right? Well, we shouldn’t let those migraines keep us from attaining the resolutions that we want to keep. To help in the fight against migraines, there is a new class of medicines that were released just last year that are being hailed as the next breakthrough in migraine prevention. They are called CGRP inhibitors and they are the first migraine preventatives that were designed SPECIFICALLY FOR MIGRAINE! Prior to these medicines, all of the other preventatives used have been nonspecific; antidepressants, antiseizure medicines, antihypertensive medicine, and yes, even Botulinum Toxin. All of these nonspecific drugs have plenty of side effects that can sometimes be more damaging than the benefits that they provide. The great news about the CGRP inhibitors is that not only do they not interact with any other medicines, but according to the clinical trials, they have minimal side effects. How many medicines can claim that!?!
All of the providers at NCN treat migraine and well-versed in using these new medicines to help keep you from missing work and social activities. Did you know those with migraine miss twice as many days for social and leisure activities than work days? Why should you or your loved ones suffer when you can try and prevent as many of these attacks as possible? Let’s make this new year more productive and make an appointment to try one of the new CGRP inhibitors. "
Thanks
Chad Whyte, MD, FAHS
