Many people suffer from the unpleasant symptoms caused by migraines. This can include headache pain, nausea, dizziness, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine attacks can last for hours and even days, and be so severe that they interfere with work and usual daily activities. Fortunately, there are many ways to ease migraine pain – here are five useful tips to try the next time you feel a migraine coming on. (Image Credit: Public Domain/Pixabay)
1. Find a calming environment
When you feel the onset of a migraine, the best thing you can do is find a calming environment to relax in. Enter a quiet room, switch off the lights, and sleep if you can. If you suffer from extreme light sensitivity during a migraine attack, then try wearing an eye mask so you can relax in complete darkness. This should help control your symptoms and prevent them from becoming worse.
2. Try hot and cold therapy
Many people find hot and cold therapy an effective way to manage migraine symptoms. For cold therapy, try placing a cold compress, a frozen bag of peas, or some ice cubes wrapped in a towel onto your head and neck for 15-20 minutes. The cold sensation should numb the area and help minimize any pain. Hot therapy works by relaxing your muscles and reducing tension. Try placing a heat pad or hot water bottle onto the area for 15-20 minutes to see if your symptoms improve.
3. Visit a chiropractor
Many people associate chiropractic care with back or neck conditions, but a chiropractor can treat a wide range of medical conditions, including headaches and migraines. Chiropractors use a variety of natural methods for spinal manipulation which has been shown to effectively treat migraine pain and symptoms. One study found that regular chiropractic care was effective in treating migraines in up to 75 percent of patients. You can take a look at Best Chiropractors in Chicago to compare some top quality providers in the area.
4. Manage stress
Stress is one of the leading causes of migraines and many people find that they suffer more frequent attacks when they’re feeling stressed or anxious. Everyone suffers some stress in their daily lives but it’s important to try and minimize this where possible. You can do this by:
- Finding an enjoyable outlet for stress like a hobby or exercise.
- Taking regular breaks from demanding tasks to relax and refocus.
- Making the time to unwind and deal with any stress in a calming, relaxed environment.
5. Keep a migraine journal
Keeping a migraine journal is an important way to document your attacks. Make a record of when your migraines occur, what you were doing beforehand, the duration of your symptoms, whether anything provides relief, and so on. This will help you identify any migraine triggers and take action to minimize the risk of migraines occurring. For example, some people find that certain foods cause migraines. Keeping a migraine journal will allow you to identify any food or drink triggers so you can avoid them in the future.
