1. Stimulation Deprivation
Avoidance of sound, light and motion often eases the pain of a migraine headache. If at all possible, lie back comfortably in a dark and quiet room and stay there for at least 20 to 30 minutes. The lack of stimulation allows the mind to relax and gives the body a chance to regulate blood pressure, which keeps the elevated pressure from pounding in the head. Personal preference may determine whether you want to apply heat or cold to your head.
2. Pharmaceutical Options
Medications help many people deal with and relieve their migraines. While some can find relief from over-the-counter analgesics (such as aspirin or acetaminophen), other migraine patients need a stronger substance to battle the intense pain of frequent migraines. Serotonin receptors are available by prescription and the patient can take them orally, nasally or by injection. They are generally fast acting and can be taken at any time during the headache, but should not be taken with SSRI medications (like many antidepressants).
3. Move Your Blood
Since migraine headaches are caused by unexplained dilation of the blood vessels in the head, drawing excess blood away from the head can reduce the pain of a migraine. To do this, simply put your feet in hot water (as hot as you can handle it) and place ice packs on your head. The longer you stay like this, the more you reduce the pain.
4. Anoint Your Head
No, this is not a religious ceremony. Apply peppermint and lavender oil (diluted in a carrier oil to avoid burning from the peppermint) to the temples and the back of the neck. The peppermint is a time-honored headache remedy and lavender aids in general relaxation. This aromatherapy method is surprisingly helpful to many people. Be sure to start with high quality essential oils and keep them away from your eyes.
5. Rub It Away
Many people automatically apply pressure to a new injury. Think about it; how many times have you stubbed your toe and quickly grabbed it and held on tight? This actually helps in many cases, and migraines are no exception to this rule. Rubbing the temples or even applying pressure to the artery in front of the ear often brings relief. Massage, whether a professional hour long treat, or a favor from a friend, eases the tense muscles in the neck and shoulders and allows the blood to flow easier. A simple acupressure trick that you can do yourself is to squeeze the webbed part of the hand between the thumb and pointer finger.
