5 At-Home Migraine Solutions That May Offer Pain Relief In A Pinch
Migraines can really put a damper on your day. The nagging pain, nausea, vomiting, and overwhelming sensitivity to the lights and sounds around you make you want to drop everything and run to your bed or reach for your pain medication. For some of us, migraines are sadly all too familiar, and we can recognize one coming on from a mile away. Serial migraine sufferers are always on the lookout for easy, effective solutions. If you suffer from migraines on a regular basis and don't want to rush to the hospital at the onset of every migraine you experience each week, these at-home solutions will become a lifesaver.
Your migraines can vary in pain and may be caused by different triggers. And, since our bodies are all very different, each treatment option won't have the same results on everyone. So, make sure you do your research and consult your healthcare professional to figure out which solution best suits you.
Whether it's sipping on a cup of coffee, drinking a glass of water, applying a cold compress, or simply taking a nap, these at-home remedies are easy to do and can help provide relief for your migraines.
Drink a cup of pain relief
Your cup of coffee has the potential to drive away those migraine pains. Caffeine is known to inhibit the ability of adenosine to bind with adenosine receptors. To backtrack a bit, adenosine is a neurotransmitter in our body that can inhibit parts of our nervous system which control our levels of alertness and pain regulation. So, caffeine in your system could mean pain relief, which is why most pain medications contain caffeine.
However, how much you consume and how your body responds to caffeine impact how well it'll relieve your migraine pains. Make sure not to spike up your caffeine intake all at once. Increase your intake gradually if you're looking to use it as a form of pain relief. Remember to be consistent and indulge in your coffee habit without the overstimulation. It all depends on how your body responds to coffee, so have an open mind when trying out this remedy.
Apply a cold water compress
Dipping your head in cold water sounds unpleasant, but it just might help you sort out your throbbing head pains. If the cold water head dip sounds a bit jarring for your taste, you can always settle for a cold compress.
Here's the science behind using cold water to combat pain. According to Mercy Medical Center neurosurgeon Lars Widdel during an interview with Well + Good, "Cold reduces the release of histamines and prostaglandins responsible for inflammatory processes, thereby acting as an anti-inflammatory agent" and, therefore, helps in the case of migraines, as migraines are caused by dilated blood vessels.
You can either make a cold compress by wrapping a few ice cubes in a towel, or you can submerge your face in cold water. When keeping a cold compress, make sure not to hold it in the same place for a long period of time; always remove it when the area feels numb. Like other things in life, not everyone has the same bodily response to cold. For some of us, the cold might worsen the pain, so be mindful and alert to how your body reacts.
Take a relaxing break
A migraine is a perfect excuse to take a nap. If you are suffering from a migraine, staying away from bright screens, lights, and loud noises can make a huge difference. Migraines are often caused by too much screen time and mental or physical stress. And the best way to reverse a migraine is to destress.
When you feel a migraine coming on, treat yourself to some relaxation. Convert your room into a den of peace and quiet. Turn the lights off, draw the curtains, and try some aromatherapy. Try using essential oils to create a calming environment. Essential oils are known for their pain-relieving properties, so use them either in a diffuser, or massage a drop of oil onto your skin before you fall asleep. But make sure to mix the oil with a carrier oil to minimize any potential skin sensitivities; you can also do a patch test beforehand.
Lavender essential oil is said to specifically help relieve migraine pains, one of the wellness benefits of lavender, but there are other oils that can also provide some relief as well. To create that perfect sleep environment, play calming sounds such as the sound of ocean waves or waterfalls. On the other hand, if you need perfect silence to fall asleep, keep your phone and other distractions away.
Enjoy a soothing massage
A scalp or neck massage that hits all the right spots can send you right into no-pain land. Massages stimulate blood flow to your brain and can help you destress. And, since stress and tension are the primary causes of migraines, a massage is the logical thing to do.
However, if you're home alone, massaging the pain away can get a little tricky. So, here are a few massages you can try on your own. The eyebrow massage concentrates on applying pressure to your eyebrow bone; you can easily use your thumb for this massage technique. The jaw massage relieves stress around your jaw; just place your index finger inside your mouth and keep your thumb on your face, and then apply pressure.
Massages are an effective solution to migraine headaches and typically show quick results. Although the best massages tend to come from a professional who knows exactly which areas to target, these at-home massages are helpful in the case of an oncoming migraine.
Stay hydrated
Dehydration often triggers migraines, so a quick fix is to increase your water intake, according to one study published in the Journal of Clinical Neuroscience. Although you won't experience instant pain relief once you reach the bottom of your glass, drinking water throughout the day can guarantee a noticeable change in your pain levels. Plus, staying hydrated never hurts anybody — in fact, drinking water every day has numerous wellness benefits on your body — so make sure to give this solution a try without hesitation.
Although over-the-counter medications and other medical treatments can treat migraines, drinking water and attempting these at-home solutions are easy and economical. Every solution out there might not work for you, but find one that can help you combat those surprise migraines easily at home, and be cautious of how your body reacts. And always seek advice from a medical professional to discuss how these solutions might affect your well-being before trying them out.