We discuss so much about acute migraine therapies (which are taken to cease or shorten assaults after they happen), & preventive therapies that intention to scale back the frequency and severity of assaults, however what concerning the issues that truly assist us to deal with it?
Not too long ago, we requested the migraine neighborhood on our social media channels about their most popular self-care or rescue therapies for migraine, and we bought a number of improbable (and a few very distinctive!) responses. Right here, we have a look at a number of the prime feedback from the neighborhood, and The Migraine Belief staff weigh in with their preferences:
Chilly consolation
A basic! Lots of people responded to say that they have been #TeamCold on the subject of migraine aid, with many explaining that they discover putting an ice pack, chilly compress or ice hat on their head helps to assuage their ache throughout an assault. Others, together with Work Expertise Pupil Niamh, talked about feeling heat throughout an assault, and the cooling impact can carry consolation: “I at all times run actually scorching with a migraine, so I exploit ice packs on my head and the again of my neck. I discover it actually helpful.”
Senior Communications Officer Andrea is on #TeamHot: “for me, a scorching water bottle or wheat bag helps me to loosen up tense muscle groups in my neck throughout a migraine assault.”
Helpline Advisor Oscar finds consolation in “a fluffy jumper, quilt, cosy cushions and a few quiet lo-fi music” – sounds excellent!
Epsom salts tub
One other standard self-care method was a heat tub, with numerous folks suggesting including Epsom salts to assist leisure. Epsom salts, also referred to as magnesium sulphate, are thought to have advantages together with muscle leisure and decreasing stress (each of that are very interesting for anybody within the midst of a migraine assault!). Whereas the scientific proof for these advantages is proscribed, we heard from many who mentioned it helped carry some aid to tight neck muscle groups. Oscar says: “if nothing else, a heat tub with Epsom salts could present a possibility to take day trip in a quiet house and the heat of the water is well-known to assist with leisure so may very well be value a strive. Equally, a heat bathe is one thing folks typically inform us helps.”
Fizzy drinks
Numerous folks responded to our rescue remedy query to inform us concerning the joys of fizzy drinks! The massive debate, nonetheless, was whether or not these must be full-sugar or weight-reduction plan choices. Senior Helpline Advisor Steph breaks down why some folks might need robust preferences: “fizzy drinks include fairly a couple of elements which are fairly widespread migraine triggers. Some folks report sugary meals and drinks to be a set off, whereas for others it may be synthetic sweeteners which are added to weight-reduction plan drinks. Many fizzy drinks will even include caffeine, which once more is usually a set off for some. It actually may be very a lot based mostly on private responses to those, and it’s value preserving a migraine diary to assist establish your private triggers. On a extra primary stage, staying hydrated throughout a migraine assault is essential, and if fizzy drinks are well-tolerated then I can see why they might make an excellent addition to somebody’s migraine rescue package.”
Plain starchy carbs
Who doesn’t love some carb-based consolation meals? Plain, starchy carbohydrate snacks have been a extremely popular alternative for our followers on the subject of serving to to get by way of a migraine assault. Digital Officer Jake’s migraine snack of alternative elevates plain meals to the subsequent stage: “a crisp sandwich with flippantly toasted bread and Tayto cheese and onion crisps – it at all times helps me really feel higher.” From toast to plain crisps, a number of folks famous that always most of these meals serve a number of functions: they’re simple to seize whenever you’re not nicely sufficient to whip up a feast within the kitchen, extra plain choices are sometimes a sensible choice for anybody experiencing nausea throughout an assault and, in fact, very often a easy however acquainted snack can carry consolation at a time once we’re in want of it.
Yin yoga
A couple of folks steered light train, specifically yin yoga, as an effective way to observe self-care throughout a migraine assault. Yin yoga is a slower-paced model of yoga, which many report helps with leisure. Oscar says: “we all know that getting common train can assist to forestall migraine assaults because it stimulates the physique to launch pure painkillers. It additionally improves your normal well being, which implies chances are you’ll be extra in a position to deal with migraine assaults. Throughout an assault, nonetheless, it’s essential to take heed to your physique and never push your self as this will likely worsen the assault. One thing like yin yoga or light stretches could also be useful for some because it includes extra light train and will assist with decreasing the stress that comes with a migraine assault.”
Peppermint/lavender oil
Whereas there’s no scientific proof to counsel important oils are efficient in treating or stopping migraine assaults, fairly lots of people mentioned that sure oils, notably lavender and peppermint, will be soothing whereas within the grips of an assault. Steph says: “like many of those self-care and rescue therapies, it comes right down to the person as to what fits them. It might come right down to one thing so simple as a calming or acquainted scent bringing slightly consolation, which can assist distract from ache.”
Cherry brandy and flaming scorching monster munch crisps!
Undoubtedly one of many extra unconventional self-care solutions for migraine! Oscar says: “we do hear some fascinating anecdotes on the helpline from individuals who’ve tried a number of various things to assist really feel higher throughout a migraine assault. I feel that is one to file beneath ‘every to their very own’!
We all know that migraine experiences differ amongst people and what would possibly carry consolation to at least one individual wouldn’t essentially be appropriate for an additional. For instance, somebody who experiences sensitivity to smells could not recognize scented oils. It’s best to seek the advice of along with your GP simply to make sure that the strategies you employ are secure and appropriate for you as a person. It’s essential to search out an method to self-care that works nicely for you, and we hope you would possibly discover some inspiration in these solutions from the migraine neighborhood! You too can take a look at our Managing Your Migraine session on psychological well being, which included some improbable self-care concepts!