Nausea is a common symptom of migraines, affecting approximately 80% of individuals who experience migraines. This sensation of queasiness or unease in the stomach can be debilitating, and often exacerbates the pain and discomfort associated with migraines.

The exact cause of nausea in migraines is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to changes in the brain and nervous system that occur during a migraine. These changes can affect the way that the stomach and digestive system function, leading to the sensation of nausea.

Fortunately, there are several ways to manage the symptoms of nausea in migraines. Some medications, such as anti-nausea drugs and migraine-specific medications, can be effective in reducing the severity of nausea. In addition, lifestyle modifications such as avoiding trigger factors, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep can help to prevent or reduce the symptoms of nausea.

Physical therapy can also be an effective way to manage the symptoms of nausea in migraines. Techniques such as relaxation exercises, breathing techniques, and manual therapy can help to reduce stress and tension in the body, which can contribute to nausea. Furthermore, physical therapy can help to improve posture and reduce muscle tension, which can also help to prevent or reduce the symptoms of nausea.

In conclusion, nausea is a common and often debilitating symptom of migraines. By working with a healthcare professional and utilizing strategies such as medications, lifestyle modifications, and physical therapy, individuals can manage the symptoms of nausea and improve their overall quality of life.

While the exact cause of migraines is not fully understood, there are several factors that can trigger a migraine attack. By identifying these trigger factors, you may be able to reduce the frequency and intensity of your migraines.

Here are some of the most common trigger factors for migraines:

1. Stress: Emotional or physical stress can trigger migraines in some individuals.
2. Sleep disturbances: Changes in sleep patterns, such as getting too much or too little sleep, can trigger migraines.
3. Food and drink: Certain foods and drinks, such as alcohol, caffeine, and processed or aged foods, can trigger migraines in some people.
4. Environmental factors: Bright lights, loud noises, and changes in weather or altitude can trigger migraines in some individuals.
5. Medications: Certain medications, including some types of birth control and blood pressure medications, can trigger migraines in some people.
6. Hormonal changes: Changes in hormone level can trigger migraines in some people.

Identifying trigger factors for migraines can be a helpful step in managing the condition. By keeping a migraine diary to track symptoms and possible triggers, you can identify patterns and make lifestyle modifications to reduce the frequency and severity of your migraines.

Treatment options such as medications and physical therapy can also be effective in managing the symptoms of migraines. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best treatment plan for your individual needs.

Migraines are a neurological condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Migraines can cause severe pain, visual disturbances, and other symptoms that can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. While there are various treatments available, physical therapy is an effective approach that can help individuals manage migraines.

How does Physical Therapy Help?

• Posture Correction: Poor posture can cause tension in the neck, shoulders, and upper back, which can trigger migraines. Physical therapy can help individuals improve their posture, which can reduce tension and prevent migraine triggers.n
• Manual Therapy: Physical therapy can involve various manual therapies such as massage and trigger point release that can help relieve muscle tension, improve blood flow, and reduce the frequency of migraines.n
• Exercise: Exercise is an effective way to reduce tension, stress, and anxiety, all of which can trigger migraines. Physical therapy can provide exercise programs that can help individuals to manage their migraines by improving their cardiovascular health and decreasing stress levels.n
• Breathing Techniques: Breathing techniques, such as deep breathing and relaxation techniques, can help reduce stress, which can trigger migraines. Physical therapists can teach individuals techniques that can help manage stress and reduce the frequency of migraines.n
• Education: Physical therapists can provide individuals with education on proper body mechanics, stress management techniques, and environmental modifications, which can reduce migraine triggers.

Physical therapy can be an essential component of a comprehensive migraine management plan. The therapist will work with the individual to develop a customized plan that addresses their specific needs and goals. The goal of physical therapy is to help individuals reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines and improve their overall quality of life.

In conclusion, migraines can be a debilitating condition, but physical therapy can provide a natural and effective way to manage the symptoms. By working with a physical therapist, individuals can learn how to manage their migraines and improve their overall health and wellbeing. If you are struggling with migraines, consider consulting with a physical therapist to develop a customized plan that can help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Jill’s story is a testament to the transformative power of physical therapy.

Struggling with low back pain for most of 2022, Jill knew that PT was an option, but hesitated to try it, thinking it might be a waste of time.It wasn’t until Jill’s once-active lifestyle became significantly constrained.

“I could only sleep for a few hours in a bed before I had to move to the couch for more support on my back. I wasn’t enjoying bike riding, long walks, or yoga anymore. I was even avoiding playing outside with my kids.”n

That’s when Jill decided to give WPT a call.

At WPT, we carefully listen to your story and needs before creating a tailored plan. In Jill’s case, we knew she would benefit from seeing two Physical Therapists with different specialties, Macy and Tyra.

Starting with massage, stretching, and muscle loosening, Macy was able to help Jill’s nervous system calm down, enabling her to focus on specific areas of her body that required attention. n

With Tyra’s guidance, Jill learned how to strengthen and engage her core. This improved her posture, stability, balance, and reduced her risk of further injury.n

“I am now back to yoga, bike riding, playing with my kids, and walking miles at a time. I hope to continue to grow my knowledge and continue my path to a healthier lifestyle.”

If you are experiencing pain or discomfort that is interfering with your daily life, take a page out of Jill’s book and seek the help of a physical therapist. You may be surprised at the transformative results you can achieve with the right guidance and support.

Don’t wait to start living your best life. Contact Wonsettler Physical Therapy today!

Stress is a common part of life, but chronic stress is not normal and leads to negative health effects. Chronic stress keeps the body in “fight or flight” mode, causing muscle soreness, fatigue, sleep disturbances, immune system issues, appetite changes, and brain fog.

To help prevent this, here are some helpful tips to alleviate stress:

• Meditation & deep breathing: Slowing down your breath and practicing mindfulness stimulates the calming branch of your nervous system.n
• Movement: Pick an activity such as yoga, pilates, walking, running or strength training and try to participate a few times each week. Movement can help regulate “feel good” hormones and endorphins!n
• Social Connection: Make sure you are taking time to connect with loves ones, whether it is a phone call to a family member or going out with friends.n
• Prioritize Sleep: Sleeping allows our system to rest and reset. If we are not getting adequate sleep, it is hard for our nervous system to regulate hormones.n

In the busy world we live in, slowing down and taking a bit of time each day is important for our health and wellbeing!

While on a trip to Nashville in November of 2021, Andi fell and broke her tibia and fibula.  She recalled the accident, “I remember getting up to use the bathroom and next thing I knew my foot was in the wall and there was a good amount of skin ripped from my face.”

She rushed to the hospital. Andi received surgery two weeks later and began physical therapy at the same facility as her procedure. However, after many visits, she wasn’t making the progress she wanted.

“I was walking like a duck. Towards the end of my care, I was just lightly walking on the treadmill. I could be doing that at home. I needed to be challenged.”

Andi’s husband was a former patient at WPT and recommended she give us a call. Our patient specialist listened to her story, and matched her with Tyra as her personal physical therapist. n

“Tyra put me to work immediately. For the first time I was leaving physical therapy sweaty. Within the first 2-3 weeks I was already noticing a difference.”

Andi put in a serious effort, and pushed through the physical exercises Tyra designed for her. Her effort paid off in a big way. Andi is now on her way to a full recovery and even has plans to do her first 5k run in 2023.

We’re cheering you on, Andi!

New Year’s resolutions are a great way to focus on health goals, but they can be difficult to stick with. That’s where an accountability partner comes in. An accountability partner is someone who will help keep you on track and motivated. Some benefits of having an accountability partner include:

1. Encouragement and motivation.
2. Lending a listening ear when you need it.
3. Holding you accountable for your actions.
4. Reminding you of your goals and encouraging you to take action.
5. Providing support and a sense of community.

An accountability partner doesn’t have to be a close friend or family member. It could be a coworker, a fellow gym member, or even a physical therapist at WPT. The important thing is that you feel comfortable and supported.

Overall, having an accountability partner can be a valuable asset in helping you achieve your New Year’s resolutions.

If you’re looking to tone and strengthen your abs, you don’t need to spend hours at the gym or invest in expensive equipment. There are plenty of effective ab exercises that you can do at home with minimal space and equipment. In this blog post, we’ll introduce you to three helpful ab workouts that you can easily incorporate into your fitness routine. From classic planks to dynamic bicycle crunches, these exercises are sure to challenge your core and help you achieve your fitness goals. So, let’s get started!

Planks: Planks are a classic ab exercise that work the entire core, including the rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, and obliques. To do a plank, start in a pushup position with your hands on the floor, shoulder-width apart. Hold this position for 30 seconds to one minute, keeping your body straight and your core engaged. You can also try variations of the plank, such as side planks or plank jacks, to target different areas of the core.

Russian twists: Russian twists are a great exercise for targeting the obliques, the muscles on the sides of the waist. To do a Russian twist, sit on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat. Hold a weight or a medicine ball in front of your chest with both hands. Lean back slightly and lift your feet off the ground, engaging your core. Rotate your torso to the left and then to the right, keeping your feet off the ground the entire time. Do 10-15 reps on each side.n

Bicycle crunches: Bicycle crunches are a dynamic exercise that works the rectus abdominis and obliques. To do a bicycle crunch, lie on your back with your hands behind your head and your knees bent. Lift your head, shoulders, and upper back off the ground. Bring your right elbow to your left knee, then switch sides and bring your left elbow to your right knee. Continue alternating sides, as if you were pedaling a bicycle. Do 20-30 reps.n

Remember to always warm up before starting any ab workout. Listen to your body and only do exercises that feel comfortable and safe for you. As you get stronger, you can gradually increase the difficulty and duration of your ab workouts.

As a reminder, exercise should not be painful. If you begin to feel any pain during these exercises, please reach out to us. We are here to help!

As you’re setting goals and making resolutions for the new year, it’s important to take time to evaluate your current habits.

Here are some tips for evaluating your current habits:

1. Keep a journal to track your daily activities and behaviors.
2. Reflect on the consequences of those current habits. (How are they positively or negatively contributing to your physical health and well-being?)
3. Decide what you need to stop doing, and replace those habits with something positive.

The habits you choose to develop will directly influence your results and help you make positive changes to your physical health and well-being.

Remember to celebrate your wins along the way!

Reach out to us for help and support on your journey.

Does your low back pain prevent you from sitting in a comfortable position? Does it make standing for long periods of time difficult? How about driving long distances? If you are dealing with Low Back Pain (LBP), you’re not alone. 80% of people will deal with it at some point in their life. LBP is the second leading cause for disability around the world and is the most common thing we treat at here at WPT.

LBP can stem from injury or overuse and it is very treatable. The first thing to note is that staying mobile and exercising is key to healing. This is because most exercise interventions will have an effect in managing LBP. Some interventions, such as physical therapy and Pilates, prove more beneficial than others.

During PT for LBP, there is an emphasis on strengthening and stabilizing low back muscles. This includes resistance training and aerobic exercise. These movements are also both tenets of Pilates, which WPT offers twice a week.

According to The Journal of Orthopedic and Sport Physical Therapy, the most beneficial pilates routine is as follows:

1. Take part in 1 to 2 45-60 minute sessions of Pilates or strength exercises per week.
2. Have a blend of core-based strength and mind-body exercises.
3. Take part in 3 to 9 weeks of Pilates and core-based exercises.

The best way to get started is to sign up for one of WPT’s Pilates classes here, or give us a call at (724) 200-7377. We are ready to answer any and all questions you may have about LBP!

Let us help you take your life back and regain your freedom from back pain!

If you’d like to read the full article you can find it here: https://www.jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2022.10671