What are the best ways to relieve headaches and migraines? This is a question with many answers. There isn’t just one fix because we’re all different and what’s causing my migraine, isn’t likely to be the cause of your migraine.
First off, headaches are different from migraines. Anyone who says different is just wrong, to put it nicely. Headaches can be very difficult and painful but migraines are a vascular issue that are more severe. Luckily, they have very common remedies. What improves headaches, can often help a migraine.
Let’s start with the basics. We’re talking about simple, everyday lifestyle choices that you can make that will help calm that headache monster.
Drop your shoulders
This is one I remind myself to do about 7 times a day. Simply calling your attention to how you carry your shoulders will allow you to relax them. You’d be surprised at how often we carry them as “boulders for shoulders”. This muscle tension can cause, of course, headaches. My clients are often surprised at how often they find themselves holding their shoulders up high. And this simple exercise of recognition brings us to our next best way to relieve headaches and migraines, breathing.
Breathe
Breathing is easy. This sounds pretty silly, but if you have a massive headache, it’s very likely that your brain is needing more oxygen. In general, people take very shallow breathes. Try taking deep breaths into your belly instead! Of course, you’re not actually breathing in to your belly. The point is to focus on taking a real deep breath that fills up our lungs. This will get you plenty of fresh oxygen circulating through your blood and will help to relieve your headache and migraine. It also helps loosen tight muscles that may be causing your headache.
Get a massage
Yes, as a massage therapist, I work with clients every day to help them relax and relieve their muscles. A major reason people come for a massage is to help relieve headaches and migraines. The main culprit is often a stiff neck and rock hard shoulders.
Taking the time to get a massage to relieve your headaches is something that is easy to do and feels great. Make sure your massage therapist knows their stuff and let them know that you’d like a therapeutic, not a spa massage. Ask your massage therapist that they address the muscles involved in relieving headaches. I like to give my clients home exercises that they can do to help their posture and release their unhealthy muscle patterns. A simple massage can make a world of difference.
Stay hydrated
This seems like a no brainer, but many of us do not remember to drink water. And if you’re like me, you may not like water! So instead, I’m a big tea drinker. Not only is it healthy and tastes good, but it will help you stay hydrated.
A hydrated body rarely gets headaches. Migraines are not as easily solved with hydration, but water will surely help. Of course, ask your medical professional if you have any kidney or other medical issues and have to watch your water consumption.
Keep it cold
My personal favorite for any sign of a migraine is my Elasto-Gel Cranio Cap. There’s no beating it for relieving headaches and migraines. The cold provides muscular constriction to your head. Placing your feet in warm water at the same time allows your muscles to help send blood downwards away from your head. This sounds rather elaborate but it is the best way I know of for relieving headache and migraine symptoms dramatically.
Find what works for you, everyone is different.
Alice Palmeri, LMT works in Southwest Portland, Oregon where she specializes in massage therapy for everyone. License # 23983
