Helpful Stress Reduction Techniques That Can Stop Migraine Headache Pain
Migraine attacks can totally disrupt a person’s life. Along with severe headache pain they can also include nausea, vomiting, neck pain, light sensitivity, visual disturbances, vertigo, dizziness, diarrhea, loss of facial color, speech disturbances, and many other unpleasant symptoms.
Fortunately, there are many good natural treatment approaches available that can often be more effective than prescription or over-the-counter painkillers. One of the best ways to relieve or stop the pain is through stress reduction techniques.
Stress is one of the most common triggers of migraines as well as a major factor concerning many other health disorders. This makes eliminating stress a vital component of relieving pain and improving health. Most experts agree that migraine sufferers do not cope as well in stressful situations as other people.
Everyone feels stress to one degree or another at some point in their life. When a stressful event occurs our body instantly produces chemicals that are supposed to help us cope or adjust to the situation. Our body’s response can dilate the blood vessels surrounding our brain and cause a migraine headache. Mental stress can build up gradually or appear suddenly. Stress-related chronic migraines are usually caused from things such as job pressure, marital spats, health problems, pregnancy, money problems, and many other circumstances.
When the treatment for stress-related symptoms involves medications, it is usually for short term relief only. Other types of treatment, such as various stress management techniques, are designed for longer-term results. Understanding that stress is a major contributing factor of migraine headaches can help a migraine sufferer find successful ways to treat their disorder.
People with poor sleep habits are more susceptible to stress, which means improving sleep habits can help reduce it. In addition to improving sleep, there are many other ways to reduce stress. Taking a nap, getting regular daily exercise, and taking a hot bath or shower are all simple methods of reducing stress levels. It should be noted that exercising during a migraine episode can actually make the symptoms worse, so this should be avoided.
Another way to reduce stress is with massage. Gently rub painful areas, in particular the temples, neck muscles, and facial area, with the pads of your first two fingers in a circular motion. Applying a cold compress to the back of the neck can lessen the amount of blood flow to the head which can also reduce pressure and stress.
Other methods of reducing stress may require changes in a person’s normal routine. These might include asking other people for help in tough situations, maintaining emotionally supporting family relationships, avoiding the source of stress, learning how to remain calm during emotionally upsetting situations, eating more nutritious foods, and exercising regularly.
If achieving migraine headache relief is your goal there are many ways to succeed through stress reduction techniques. By paying close attention to stressful situations and changing a few of your habits, it’s just possible that you can reduce the frequency and intensity of your migraine headaches.
