Migraine is a great deal more than just a headache - it affects over 15% of the UK population and around two thirds of sufferers are women. An attack can last from 4 hours to 72 hours, although sufferers may feel drained for a couple of days after that. A severe migraine attack can cause persistent throbbing pain, with sensitivity to light, sound and movement. You may also feel nauseous, be sick, have diarrhoea or feel exhausted. Unfortunately there is no cure for migraine but it is possible to bring your condition under control.
Reasearch has shown that massage is one of the most effective forms of treatments for migraine in particular. There are also a number of things that you can do yourself to prevent a migraine attack:
1. Keep a diary. It can help to try and identify, track and avoid triggers.
2. Specially tinted glasses. Evidence is lacking but some find that wearing these reduces or prevents migraine attacks.
3. Dental splints. Teeth grinding and clenching your jaw may trigger attacks. A dental splint can be worn overnight to try and reduce
this.
4. Temperature change. For some, pressing an ice pack or hotwater bottle, where it hurts, helps.
A variety of massage treatments will certainly ease a migraine attack. Regular body massage and Indian head massage are effective in treating the migraine by working the tissue and freeing ‘trigger points’ in the muscles and connective tissues.
Reflexology works on particular areas (known as reflex points) on the feet, causing tension in the head and neck to be reduced. This improves the event and through effects of relaxation, sinus congestion, muscle tension, circulation and attacks will hopefully reduce in number and/or intensity.
Aromatherapy has been found to be very effective in pain relief or in reducing response to triggers, e.g. digestive oils such as peppermint; painkilling oils such as lavender and lemon; hormone balancing oils such as geranium.
If you want any information on holistic therapy, and where to find it, please email me on ejvickers@hotmail.com
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Migraine
