Did you know that migraines are something that approximately six million people suffer from in the UK? Each day it is estimated that approximately 190,000 people are suffering from a painful migraine attack. With numbers like that, it’s clear this is a health issue that needs to be taken seriously. But for the person who is dealing with a migraine, relief can be hard to come by, affecting their ability to function normally.
If you suffer from chronic or even occasional migraines, you’re probably always on the hunt for tips and advice that can help limit the pain and the frequency of your attacks. Here are some tips that can help you find relief.
Learn What Your Triggers Are
There’s no question that the best way to cope with a migraine is to take steps to stop it from occurring in the first place. While there are many ways you can achieve this, learning what your specific triggers are will be essential.
Common migraine triggers include:
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Hormonal changes (more so in women)
- Sleep changes
- Medication
- Stress
- Weather
- Dehydration
- Natural sunlight
- Physical strain
- Food additives (MSG and aspartame are common)
- Strong scents
When trying to learn about your triggers, you can keep a migraine journal. This allows you to keep track of details such as what you ate, how much sleep you got, your mood, and so forth. The more details you keep track of, the easier it will be to find a pattern and triggers.
Use Relaxation Techniques to Help Calm and Relax You
This tip can be easier said than done at the moment. When you’re in significant pain, it can be hard to calm yourself down. Finding ways to relax can have a direct impact on the amount of pain you’re in, helping to lower it rather quickly.
Some ways to calm down include:
- Deep breathing exercises
- Meditation
- Yoga
This tip can take practice to perfect, so be patient with yourself.
Acupuncture Can Be Quite Effective in Pain Management
Unfortunately, not all migraines can be avoided simply by knowing your triggers, and sometimes you find yourself contending with a particularly painful attack. In this case, you may want to look into what acupuncture can do for you. Acupuncture in Bristol is used to treat all kinds of health issues, with migraines being among them. Finding an experienced Bristol acupuncture clinic can make a world of difference when it comes to the level of pain you experience.
If you suffer from migraines, an acupuncture treatment will usually involve needles being placed at your pressure points, which are often the head and neck. Generally speaking, you’ll need to have more than one treatment to get the optimal results.
Cold or Warm Compresses Can Be Fabulous
During your attack, using a cold or warm compress can be extremely useful. Each person is different when it comes to what they prefer, so give each one a try so you can figure out what’s best. Compresses work best on the back of the neck or forehead.
Coping with migraines can be a terrible thing, but the good news is that there are many techniques and tips you can use to help realize some relief.
