Natural Techniques For Migraine Relief
A migraine is a neurological condition causing severe recurring headaches often accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea, blurred vision, and in extreme cases, numbness. This constant throbbing and pulsing sensation in your head can be quite debilitating. Migraine headaches can last for minutes, hours, or even days, thus interfering with your daily activities. If migraine attacks are not managed early enough, they can cause havoc in your life. The intensity of the attacks varies from one person to another, and so do the symptoms.
Though there is no proven cure for migraines, a few tips can help relieve pain and manage the recurring headaches. This guide looks at some useful migraine relief techniques you may adopt anytime you experience a migraine attack.
Natural Techniques for Migraine Relief
Here are some natural techniques you can use to relieve pain during a migraine attack;
Put an Ice Pack on the Forehead, Scalp, or Neck
Migraines are typically characterized by pain in the head or neck. To relieve this pain naturally, you may use a pack of ice, which causes a numbing effect on the affected area, and, in turn, eases the pain. Wrap an ice pack in a thin towel to protect your skin from the cold. Place it on your forehead, scalp, or neck for about 15 minutes. Remove it, take a 15 minutes break, and then repeat the whole process. You may replace the ice pack with a bag of frozen peas.
Rest in a Dark or Quiet Room
Next time you have a migraine attack, take a break from whatever you are doing and, if possible, find a dark or quiet room to rest. Migraine increases sensitivity to light and sound; therefore, relaxing in a dark, quiet room will reduce the intensity of its symptoms.
Workout and Exercise Regularly
During workouts, your body produces endorphin hormones, which act as natural painkillers. Additionally, these hormones help alleviate anxiety and depression, which may be the reason you are experiencing migraines. Also, workouts help in maintaining a healthy body weight by reducing obesity, as well as many other benefits. Obesity puts you at risk of frequent chronic headaches that may worsen your migraines. Always consult with your doctor before formulating a workout plan. Be sure to choose a workout that you enjoy, such as cycling, jogging, and swimming. Do not do extremely vigorous exercises as you may trigger migraines.
Sleep Well
Lack of enough sleep can significantly increase the frequency of migraine attacks. Your body must get the much-needed rest it needs. Therefore, you need to establish a sound sleep pattern. Here are a few tips to help you sleep well:
• Have a regular sleep schedule: You should try to sleep and wake up at the same time every day for uniformity. If you take a nap during the day, keep it short, about 20-30mins. Longer day naps may interfere with your nighttime sleep.
• Minimize distractions: Reduce noise and light distractions in your bedroom. Close the door to reduce external noise. Additionally, do not take work materials to bed, as this will only distract your sleep time. If possible, avoid having a tv screen in your bedroom.
Yoga
Practicing yoga provides more than just physical fitness, with a 2014 study finding that yoga could be an effective added therapy for migraineurs. It helps in relieving muscle tension, which improves blood flow throughout the body. Additionally, it helps manage some migraine triggers such as stress, anxiety, and depression.
Manage Stress
Stress is one of the primary triggers of migraines. You should, therefore, try to manage your stress levels. While it may sound like an uphill task to completely eliminate stress, you may at least try to reduce stress to avoid experiencing migraines. You can manage stress by taking a break anytime you feel pressured by work and having a positive attitude towards everything you do. Additionally, you can learn to manage your time wisely to avoid feeling pressured by your daily activities.
Keep a Migraine Diary
A diary will help you keep track of what triggers your migraines. You should note every time your migraine occurs, what you were doing before it started, and how long it lasts. After identifying the triggers, you should then try to avoid them to reduce regular attacks.
Strive to Balance
Do not overwork yourself. Anytime you feel pressured, anxious, or stressed, feel free to ask for help from family or friends. Overworking yourself causes stress, which triggers migraine attacks. Therefore, strive to balance your life.
In conclusion, migraines can significantly interfere with the quality of your life. However, the good news is that you can identify and avoid migraine triggers. If you find the above tips have little effect, contact a medical professional for advice on medication which can combat the symptoms of migraines. Hopefully though, finding a balance in your everyday activities, avoiding stress, sleeping well, and resting in a dark and quiet room will allow you to manage any migraine attacks.