Migraine Relief
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I’m not going to describe what a migraine feels like because the mere mention can cause a migraine in some people. Needless to say, if you get migraines, you know it.

There are many triggers for migraines, such as food, stress, hormonal changes, sensory overload, intense physical activity, disrupted sleep, environmental changes (such as a change in barometric pressure), and certain medications.

If migraines run in the family your chances of having them are increased. And if you’re female, your probability of getting the ole throb in the temple is higher, as well.

Fortunately, there are many new medical methods out there to treat migraines, so if you haven’t checked these out with your doctor lately, give it a go. You can also help prevent migraines by avoiding known triggers, exercising in moderation, balancing your hormonal levels, and quitting smoking. For more information along these lines check out the Mayo Clinic Website.

Migraines are the common element in people who suffer from them, the triggers aren’t. Even so the most consistent trigger is often stress. Besides avoiding stress, what’s a sorehead to do? Here’s a list of how to de-stress and a few other tips besides:

• Do some gentle loosening exercises of the shoulders and neck. Try shoulder rolls and shrugs, ease your left ear over towards your left shoulder then right to right, turn your head to look left and then right, do a chin retraction, and then massage the whole shoulder and neck area.

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Learn to mentally release the tension in those same muscles. When stressed we automatically tighten muscles as part of the stress response. By becoming aware of how tightly these muscles are held you can learn how to relax them voluntarily. One way to do this is to think of those muscles as hard, frozen ice. Mentally release that ice into the soft gentle flowing of a pleasant waterfall. Two great books with two different approaches, Somatics by Thomas Hanna and Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body by Bruce Frantzis.

• Try some trigger point release. A great reference is Clair Davies The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook. Known migraine-causing culprits are trigger points in the trapezius and SCM muscles.

• Practice deep breathing exercises, especially during times of stress. Allow the breath to be soft, natural, and not forced. A very effective way to relieve tension.

• Try meditation. Even if you can’t just sit and think of nothing there are many other types of meditation out there. The fun is in the finding.

• Stay hydrated. Lack of water can lead to muscle and brain pain.

• Try homeopathic New Era Tissue Salts, Combination F for Migraine. Please note that if you drink coffee all day long you’ll counteract the benefits of this homeopathic remedy.

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If not using homeopathics try having a cup of coffee. It can shut a migraine down.

• Put an ice pack on the head and hot water bottle at feet. The idea behind this one is to get blood down to the feet instead pooling to excess in blood vessels in the head.

• Sleep is very important. Disrupted, not enough, or too much sleep can trigger migraines.

• And lastly, be aware that changing environmental pressure systems can trigger a migraine. If you notice your shoulders and neck get tense during these times, practice the loosening exercises, the mental release of muscle tension, and any other methods you find helpful to help prevent a full-blown migraine.

Good luck. And may the pain of the migraine slide off you as if you’re covered with Teflon.


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Photo Credit: Ivar van Bussel

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