Make A Treatment Plan
Developing a good relationship with the doctor who is helping you manage your migraine is important. Review your symptoms and triggers with your doctor. Together, you can create a treatment plan that will not only help you manage the pain when a migraine happens, but keep them from developing in the first place.
A good treatment plan should include:
- identifying the type of migraine you have
- identifying triggers
How Physiotherapy And Massage Will Help Your Headache Or Migraine
In most cases, physiotherapy alone offers an effective solution for tension headaches.
Main Photo Credit: r.nial bradshaw
Home Remedies To Cure Migraines 5 Tips For Instant Migraine Relief
By Fritz
There are many effective home remedies to cure migraines. For example, ginger can be applied to the forehead or temples to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation of the blood vessels. It also has other benefits, including aiding digestion and quenching nausea during a migraine.
You can brew a cup of ginger tea or juice and drink it two or three times a day. You can also apply a paste of raw, unpeeled ginger to the forehead to get quick relief.
Don’t Miss: Headaches In Pregnancy 16 Weeks
Tip #5 Try Some Caffeine
While caffeinated drinks can be a trigger for some, others may find that small doses of caffeine can actually help reduce symptoms. Researchers are still learning about the exact role caffeine plays in migraines, but studies have shown that small amounts can help treat headaches.
If caffeine isnt a trigger for you, take some over-the-counter pain medicine that contains caffeine or drink a small cup of coffee. Stick to a maximum of 200mg of caffeine per day, which equals about 2 cups of coffee.
Cool Air Movement Heat And Slight Pressure On The Abdomen
Its not clear why cool, moving air helps relieve migraine nausea, but for many of us, it works. Perhaps because the feeling of nausea often accompanies cold sweats, the movement of air is simply a pleasant sensation. If you live in a cooler climate, open a window or step outside and let the cold air blow over you.
If you live in a warm climate as I do in Florida, lower the thermostat of your air conditioner. Moving air also helps reduce nausea and vomiting. I use a small handheld fan that plugs right into my cell phone for instant nausea anywhere, including when I happen to hang myself in the toilet. Seriously, doesnt vomiting also make you instantly hot?
Speaking of heat, many people in our community say they have used heating pads on their abdomens to relieve nausea. Adding heat to your abdomen can increase blood flow to this area and aid in muscle movement and digestion, helping to limit the digestive delay that occurs during attacks.
We often automatically hug and press our stomach when we feel nauseous. Thats because the warmth and light pressure is soothing. I also get the same relief from this weighted heating pad that works by generating the same amount of warmth and pressure.
Read Also: Types Of Migraines And Symptoms
Massage The Back Of Your Neck
Try pressing the back of your neck with the very tip of your index finger this can help your migraine or a headache go away almost instantly. This works so quickly because the muscles in this area tighten when experiencing stress, this causes your head to ache. Therefore, directly targeting this spot is extremely effective.
Learn More About The Home Remedies That Can Help Manage Migraine Symptoms Provide Relief And Prepare For Attacks
Treatment and medication prescribed by your doctor can go a long way in keeping your most severe migraine symptoms under control. But did you know there are home remedies you can use to help manage migraine symptoms and lessen the frequency of migraine attacks? While these home remedies do not cure migraine, some evidence suggests they can also help provide relief.
A simple web search can result in an overwhelming amount of information, but use caution with any home remedy you come across on the internet. And remember, you should always talk to your doctor about any migraine treatment. Read on as we review some commonly used home remedies.
You May Like: Where Are Migraine Headaches Located
Take Frequent Massage Therapies
It has been proved by certain research and studies that migraine patients who opt for frequent massage therapies are less prone to getting severe attacks of pain. There are numerous massage therapies that you can choose from as per your need and preference. They are lymphatic massage, deep tissue massage, Rolfing, Shiatsu, reflexology, Swedish massage, etc.
Chiropractic Care For Long
When lifestyle changes are not enough to help with migraine relief, a chiropractor can help. Chiropractic care has been known to provide long-lasting migraine relief and prevent future migraine attacks. Chiropractors can address a wide range of issues that affect your spine, brain, nervous system, and musculoskeletal system. A chiropractor can assess you for migraines and provide you with an accurate diagnosis of your headache pain. Chiropractors can also develop individualized treatment plans that help manage and prevent headaches like migraines. Your treatment plan will be personalized because of your age, frequency of attacks, the severity of attacks, and what types of symptoms you are dealing with during a migraine. Talk to your chiropractor about how long your migraines typically last and whether or not they keep you from going to work or school. Your chiropractor will also want to determine if you are dealing with a migraine with or without aura because this can also influence your treatment plan.
You May Like: Best Home Remedy For Headache
How To Get Rid Of A Migraine Without Medication Fast
Migraine attacks can strike anywhere: at home, at work, while travelling, and you might be able to get to a doctor or painkillers right away to treat your headache. However, theres plenty of ways you can find natural migraine relief without medication. Try one of these home remedies for migraine headaches.
Magnesium And Vitamin B Complex
There is substantial evidence linking magnesium and Vitamin B deficiencies with migraine headaches. Vitamin B12 was shown to be much lower in people who suffer from migraines. A daily complex B supplement may help to prevent migraine headaches from occurring altogether. Magnesium is also particularly helpful for treating and preventing migraine headaches. Magnesium deficiency is also common in those who suffer from migraines. This study, showed that supplementing with 1 gram of magnesium treated headaches better than common migraine medication.
Both supplements are linked to stress relief, which may be the underlying cause in these cases. There are brands available that combine both magnesium and a Vitamin B complex into a single supplement.
Also Check: How Long Do Vestibular Migraines Last
Who Shouldnt Use Acupressure
Wondering if this is risky to try? Rest assured that acupressure is a relatively safe way to alleviate pain, and it can typically be used many times a day without causing any harm.
But that doesnât mean you shouldnât still be careful. Donât put pressure on any areas where you have burns, infections, contagious skin diseases, or active cancer.
Pregnant women should consult with a doctor before using acupressure because some points are believed to induce contractions. People with joint diseases like rheumatoid arthritis should also talk to their healthcare provider before trying acupressure.
To wrap all this up, acupressure is a natural, easy, and relatively safe method for pain relief, but it shouldnât be your primary treatment for any serious conditions or illnesses, including migraine. Many sufferers control migraine by combining alternative treatments and prescription medication.
If you’d like to work with a doctor who specializes in migraine to find the right treatment for you, we can connect you with a Cove doctor today.
The information provided in this article is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely upon the content provided in this article for specific medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your doctor.
Acupressure And Scalp Massage
A scalp massage may not work for everyone with a migraine. In some cases, it may increase the pain. However, for some it can be very soothing, releasing muscle tension and diminishing some of the pain. Acupressure may be a better option for others. Many studies link using acupressure to the treatment of migraines, with acupressure being more effective than medication.
Rub these spots for 3 to 5 minutes to experience the benefits of acupressure for migraine relief:
- LI-4 point: the space between the base of the left thumb and the index finger
- GB41: between and slightly back from the fourth and fifth toes
- BL2: the two indented spots where your nose reaches your eyebrows
- GB20: the two side-by-side hollow areas where your neck muscles meet the base of your skull
Several ways exist to both treat and prevent migraines. Exercise, proper diet, and restful sleep will do wonders along with a good system for managing stress and experiencing relaxation daily.
Don’t Miss: Can Ear Infections Cause Migraines
Why Should You Treat Migraines Early And Effectively
There is no single anti-nausea medication that works perfectly for everyone to relieve nausea caused by migraines. Because some have side effects, its important to talk openly with your doctor about trying an anti-nausea medication to find the one that works best for you. Treating migraine nausea early and aggressively is important. The sooner you treat your nausea, the more effective the migraine-nausea treatment you choose will be. Thomas Berk, Medical Director of Neura Health wrote an excellent article on migraine medications. Check it out if you want to learn more.
The recent Migraine Nausea study by Dr. Richard B. Lipton found that persistent nausea is associated with eventual migraine progression. This means that people with persistent nausea are more likely to progress from migraine to chronic migraine. Persistent nausea can also be a sign of a worsening reaction to a migraine treatment youre using. If you frequently feel nauseous along with your attacks, contact your doctor for guidance. Because when it comes to migraines, one thing is clear. The more effectively we reduce migraine nausea, the more effectively we are able to prevent migraine attacks from getting worse.
Do Pressure Points Work For Migraines
Though theres more work to do, a significant body of evidence suggests that acupressure and the stimulation of pressure points can help with migraine. This technique has been shown effective for other types of pain, and studies have demonstrated a myriad of effects, including:
- Efficacy against primary headaches:A wide-ranging review of research into acupressure for primary headache disorders, including migraine, found some evidence that it can help reduce the frequency, severity, and duration of attacks. However, the authors cautioned that more research is needed, and some of the formative studies were lacking.
- Effective for nausea: Several studies have found acupressure to be successful in managing nausea associated with migraines. In a study of 40 people who have migraine with aura, wearers of the Seaband experienced significantly less nausea at 30, 60, and 120 minutes after onset.
- Prevention of attacks: A study of 28 patients with chronic headaches found those who underwent regular acupressure therapy for one month had a lower incidence of attacks than those using muscle-relaxing drugs. This suggests that acupressure can help with migraine pain, though more research is needed.
Notably, acupuncturewhich involves stimulating the same points as acupressurehas shown efficacy in reducing the incidence and severity of attacks. This suggests that stimulation of pressure points can have utility.
Read Also: Does Tea Help With Headaches
Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto
Statistics show that one out of every six Americans suffers from chronic headachesthats roughly 45 million sufferers every year.
Every 10 seconds, someone in the United States goes to the emergency room with a headache or migraine.
More than $1 billion is spent on over-the-counter medications to treat headaches and migraines. The lost work due to migraines costs more than $13 billion every year.
Self-Massage Techniques for Headache Relief
Tip #1 Change Your Environment
Fluorescent lights, construction noises, perfumes or colognes, and even car exhaust fumes can all cause sensory overload and trigger or worsen an attack. If you suspect something in your environment is causing a migraine, go to another room or head indoors if youre outside.
Move to a calm, quiet, and dark room and lay down if you can. Dont look at any phone or computer screens.
If you cant move rooms, try dimming the lights, opening a window, or putting on noise-canceling headphones.
Read Also: Can You Take Ibuprofen And Excedrin Migraine Together
Try Warm Foods And Warm Liquids
Remember how we talked about how digestion slows or stops during a migraine? This means that fluids are usually better tolerated when you are nauseous. Broths and soups can be a good first step to soothing your nausea. They also provide water and electrolytes, which is especially important if youre vomiting. Warm teas such as chamomile, ginger, cinnamon, and mint can also be an effective treatment strategy for reducing nausea caused by migraines.
In addition to fluids, youll want to know what to eat when nauseated from a migraine. You probably wont feel like eating much, but when you do try warm foods. Warm foods are easier on the stomach, as opposed to cold foods like salads which are more difficult to digest. Bland and perishable foods such as mashed potatoes, rice noodles, scrambled eggs, and dry foods such as crackers and cookies are generally well tolerated.
The BRAT diet is a popular way to relieve nausea. This chicken and brown rice soup recipe from Dizzy Cook combines many of these soothing foods and includes a protein that can help normalize stomach activity. Be sure to stay upright for at least 30 minutes after eating to avoid making nausea symptoms worse.
Address Teeth Grinding Or Excessive Chewing
People have to eat to survive, and chewing is an important part of eating. However, studies suggest that excessive chewing might be linked to more headaches and even migraine. Researchers focused on gum-chewing for the study and found that tension headaches and migraine were more common in people who chewed gum frequently.
While you cant avoid eating, you may want to rethink chewing gum if you regularly experience migraine. You may also want to consider if you clench or grind your teeth while sleeping, as this could have a similar effect.
Don’t Miss: Ear Piercing That Helps With Migraines
How Can It Help Relieve Migraine Pain
Acupressure is said to be helpful for people dealing with depression, anxiety, nausea, chemotherapy side effects, and many other conditions. The idea is that any physical or emotional pain can be partly relieved by acupressure, so it almost goes without saying that it can be useful for migraine sufferersâespecially when you consider that itâs free, usually safe for most people, and simple enough that you might even be able to perform it on yourself during an attack.
Chiropractic Treatment For Headaches
Whether you experience migraines sporadically or are dealing with chronic migraines, there are chiropractic treatment options for headaches. There are many ways your chiropractor may approach your treatment for migraine relief. Here are some examples of chiropractic treatment for headaches like migraines.
Don’t Miss: What To Do For Severe Headache
Make Ginger Your Boon Companion
Ginger offers a wide range of health benefits. One of its many medicinal qualities is relieving the pain and distress triggered by migraine attacks. You must know that ginger powder is very useful in reducing your headaches severity and duration during a migraine attack. Apart from this, ginger tea is also considered to be anti-inflammatory, and it can relieve severe headaches. So, it can be said that regular use of ginger can keep you from severe migraine attacks.