Migraines can be extremely frustrating and painful. They can stop you from getting work done or from enjoying whatever you were doing before the migraine hit. Depending on the severity of your migraines, they can be fairly debilitating, leaving you having to lay in bed for hours in the dark due to sensitivity to the light.

Migraine symptoms

Symptoms of migraines can vary from one person to the next and even from one episode to the next. The main symptom is an often-intense headache, which can become more painful through movement and exposure to light and sound. This pain may be localized to one side of the head or can be a more general throbbing pain.

Approximately 30% of migraine sufferers also experience ‘aura’ with their migraines. This typically occurs before the onset of the headache and involves a disruption to vision. Patients typically see lights, colored spots, or dark patches in their field of vision. Some people also experience other symptoms such as nausea and light-headedness with their migraines.

Migraine causes

The cause of migraines is not completely understood, but certain factors can potentially lead to the onset of a migraine attack in some people. These include:

• Hormone changes
• Lack of sleep
• Stress and anxiety
• Dehydration
• Alcohol
• Smoking
• Undereating or skipping meals
• Consuming too much caffeine
• Consuming too much sugar
• Bright lights, e.g. bright sunlight or staring at a computer or television screen
• Poor posture
• Lack of fresh air
• High-pressure weather, e.g. thunderstorms

A combination of these factors could contribute to a migraine occurring. So, for some people, lifestyle changes such as getting enough sleep, a healthy diet, and regular exercise can reduce the incidence of migraines. Migraines may also have a genetic component, meaning you are more likely to suffer from migraines if one of your parents does.

Migraine treatments

You can’t cure yourself of migraines, but there are ways to manage the pain when they occur and even prevent their onset. Regular over-the-counter pain medication can help to reduce and manage your symptoms. Many sufferers experience warning signs before the onset of pain, including aura, and taking painkillers at this point can help to lessen or even prevent the headache. If your migraines are severe or disruptive to your life, you can talk to your doctor about prescription medications that manage or prevent migraines.

For a natural alternative, massage can help to manage pain from migraines and reduce their severity and occurrence. If you want to see how regular massage treatments could improve or prevent your migraines and headaches, then contact us at Moonstone Massage or book an appointment with us online.