Migraine is a neurological condition in which one side of your head usually experiences throbbing pain. The pain can radiate to the neck, jaw, ear, shoulder, and even hands. It is often accompanied by nausea, visual issues, tingling, numbness, and aura (seeing lights before the onset). It is not like a regular headache. It lasts for hours or even a few days. There are no known causes or cures for migraine. However, stress is considered a major reason or trigger for migraines. Some medicines block the pain receptors to help block the pain. But most people prefer other methods, as taking too many medicines always has side effects. Thankfully, there are natural and alternative ways to treat migraines. This blog discusses these.
Use ice packs
When the first bout of pain hits, try using an ice pack. Ice is known to have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. Unfortunately, when migraines happen, there is inflammation or irritation too. So, putting the pack on your neck, head, and forehead can give you some relief.
Find a calming environment.
When you start getting migraines, step aside from the things you are doing if you can. Instead, try to move to a calming environment and do this:
Turn the light off, as sound and light can aggravate the pain. Instead, relax in a quiet, dark room. Next, calm your tensed muscles by taking a hot shower or bath. Or reduce the feeling of pain with a cold shower. Lastly, drink some caffeine, as it helps relieve early migraine pain. Though, if coffee is a trigger for you, avoid it. Also, never drink too much caffeine in the evening, as it can interfere with sleep, leading to migraines.
Work with a wellness center.
If you get migraines too often and painkillers or sleep don’t have much effect, try a wellness center. Such centers like Brighton Wellness Centre create a holistic plan to minimize pain. They use massage specialists, chiropractors, and nutritionists to develop a treatment plan. They also help you identify your triggers. Avoiding them to keep migraine attacks at bay.
Make changes in your diet.
If you are prone to migraines, your eating habits matter a lot. You shouldn’t skip meals, as it can cause migraines to start or worsen. Instead, keep eating constantly and have meals at the same time to avoid attacks. Lastly, keep a food diary and see how it affects your brain. If eating or drinking something causes pain to start, it is a trigger, and you need to avoid it.
Drink up
Dehydration is a leading trigger for many people who have migraines. So when you feel like a migraine is about to start, drink a glass or two of water. It may shorten the duration and intensity of the pain. Moreover, keep yourself hydrated well enough. Several people don’t drink water because either they forget or they don’t like the taste. Suppose it’s the former, set reminders. If it’s the latter, add lime, lemon, mint, or cucumber to give the water a nice taste.
Manage stress
Yes, stress and anxiety can lead to many physical symptoms, and migraine is one of them. Try meditation, journaling, walking, or grounding to manage your anxiety and stress. If it is too much for you to handle, work with a therapist to identify reasons. They can also help you find ways to manage anxiety.
Sleep well
Migraines affect your sleep, but not sleeping well also triggers migraines. It is better to have a sleep schedule, which you should follow even on the weekends. Sleeping and waking up at the same time is essential for overall health. Ensure that there are no distractions when you are getting ready for bed. Enhance the quality of sleep by burning essential oils, as aromatherapy can help with better sleep and pain reduction.
Perform yoga and exercise regularly.
Yoga can help manage migraine pain, as can regular exercise. Make it a part of your daily life to enhance your quality of life. Lifestyle changes and understanding your triggers are necessary to tackle a migraine attack before it becomes severe. Also, trying massages and working with a chiropractor can help you limit your migraine attacks.