Do you suffer from migraines?
It really is debilitating and frustrating how a migraine can take over your day to day life.
The piercing pain above your eyes. Feeling like your head is stuck in a vice.
You may have had days where you can’t get anything done because you’re struggling to see straight. Or days where you have to retreat to a dark, quiet room, while the kids are waiting to get driven to school.
If so, you’re not alone! It’s estimated that some 13% of the world’s population suffer from migraine!
Dealing with migraines is never easy, but there are some things you can do that we recommend to all our clients before seeking the assistance of a health professional.
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Turn off the lights.
Migraines will often increase your sensitivity to light and sound, making your symptoms even worse!
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Relax in a dark, quiet room, and SLEEP if you can.
Get hubby, mum or dad, or even a girlfriend to take the kids to school, turn off the lights and sleep!
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Try temperature therapy.
Apply a hot or cold pack to your head or neck. Ice packs have a numbing effect, which may dull the sensation of pain. Hot packs and heating pads can relax tense muscles. Warm showers or baths may have a similar effect.
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Be mindful.
Evidence suggests that many migraines are triggered during times of high stress or mental load. The more aware you are of this as it’s happening, the better you’ll be able to put strategies in place to reduce tension.
Strategies such as going for a walk, booking in a massage, or doing some meditation or mindfullness exercises can break the cycle.
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Get onto it early.
Once a migraine has been triggered it’s almost impossible to stop. However if you are aware of the signs that a migraine is coming on, then you can take steps to alleviate it early.
A word from our Massage Therapist….
Can Massage help pain from migraine?
” Absolutely! By massaging your upper back, shoulders and neck, as well as your head and jaw, Remedial massage or Relaxation massage can have huge benefits in decreasing the pain and discomfort brought on by headaches and migraines.
Massage releases the overly tight muscles in areas mentioned above, which are constantly working hard to keep you upright, and prevent you from slouching. This is challenging in this day and age when we are sitting the majority of the time on our devices or using the computer. Whether it be at work, in the car, sitting having lunch, or at home in front of the TV. We do a lot of sitting hey!! “
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Nicky Ogilvie