A migraine is a step beyond a typical headache. Migraines are an extreme, debilitating type of recurring headache. Symptoms can also include nausea, numbness, and difficulty speaking. Migraine pain management treatments generally involve preventative and pain-reducing medications. However, there are a few precautions that can be taken to help prevent, or mitigate, migraines.
What Helps Migraine Headaches Naturally?
- Use a heating pad or cold pack. Heating pads can relax tensed muscles, while cold packs can numb the affected area. Both work to relieve the pain experienced from a migraine. However, in both cases, if the skin begins to feel too numb or tingly, it is best to remove the heating pad/cold pack.
- Avoid tight hairstyles and constricting hats or accessories. Tight hairstyles (such as ponytails), hats, and accessories work as external compression on your head. This tension can lead to a subsequent migraine, causing pain that feels like your head is being squeezed. To avoid this, pin back your hair with bobby pins, or braid your hair in a low-braid. These alternatives will prevent compression, thereby avoiding a migraine.
- Dim the lights . Photophobia (light sensitivity) is a common symptom of migraines. This means the affected person is extremely sensitive to light, both artificial and natural. Therefore, strong light can potentially trigger migraines. Strong lighting can further exacerbate an already ongoing migraine. To avoid this, dim or limit your exposure to lighting; try to stay in a low-light area.
- Try not to tense your jaw. When you clench your jaw, such as when doing things like chewing gum or grinding your teeth, pain can travel throughout the skull. This can cause headaches or migraines. The key is to absolve the tension created by the clenching. This can be done through stress management, meditation, or a mouth guard (if necessary to cease teeth grinding).
- Avoid bad habits and start new ones . There are a few unfavorable habits that can lead to increased frequency in migraines. For example, irregular or poor sleep has a negative effect on migraines. There are certain potential trigger foods and drinks as well: chocolate, alcohol, caffeine, and other high-acid foods. Little-to-no exercise is also a habit that can incite migraines. Alternatively, you can practice good habits that mitigate migraines. Getting quality sleep, practicing mindfulness, and a good exercise regime can all help manage migraines. To determine any food triggers, keep a food journal, or see a dietician, to weed out harmful foods.
- Monitor your caffeine intake . Caffeine can work to resolve migraines, but continued consumption can lead to cravings and withdrawals—both of which can cause migraines. It is best to taper off caffeine, limiting your consumption or replacing it entirely. You can gradually switch to a non-caffeinated drink.
- Stretch your neck and shoulders . At the base of the skull there is a group of muscles notorious for causing headaches and migraines. To best resolve this, try routinely stretching your neck and shoulder muscles with a few different stretches. Slowly rolling your head clockwise and counterclockwise stretches out muscles in your neck. You can also slowly roll your shoulders forward and backwards. There are other yoga stretches you may perform to fully stretch your muscles.
Contact Eastshor Healthcare
While natural remedies are good. They don’t always work. When you have a severe migraine it’s best to contact a professional at Eastshore Healthcare. Our professionals will offer quality treatment and serve you with a smile.
Contact our offices today schedule a meeting at (717) 652-5550 for a consultation.