Migraine problems: Here are the latest tips to ease migraine pain

Migraine affects more than 10 percent of people around the world, according to the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. It can be a painful and even debilitating condition.

You take prevention medication and steer clear of your known triggers but still, you’re hit with a migraine. Sometimes you can’t avoid it. So, what can you to do relieve the pain?

Rest in a quiet, dark room

 Many people with migraines report sensitivity to light and sound. Make your bedroom dark and quiet, and you may be able to sleep. Not all headaches respond to sleep, but the chemicals released in your brain during sleep may help ease your pain.

Apply a hot or cold compress

Place the compress across your forehead or the back of your neck. “Many of my patients prefer a cold compress,” says Lawrence C. Newman, MD, director of the Division of Headache at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City and a board member of the American Migraine Foundation.

Ice can have a numbing effect. It detracts the brain from the migraine. You’re stimulating other nerve endings where you’re putting the compress.

Some people may prefer a warm compress, Dr. Newman says. Heat can help relax tense muscles. You may also try taking a warm bath or shower.

Try mindful meditation

Take time to sit and be in the moment. Concentrate on your breathing. This type of mindful meditation can sometimes ease physical pain, according to the American Migraine Foundation. In a review published in September 2016 in Cephalalgia, researchers found that mindfulness may produce effects comparable to medication alone in people with chronic migraine and medication overuse. The findings were preliminary, however. Like other home remedies, mindfulness is a distraction that can help ease pain.

Smell the lavender

The scent of lavender may help you relax. You can sip some lavender tea, or inhale lavender essential oil, which is available in pharmacies and health food stores. A small study published in European Neurology in 2012 evaluated the use of lavender essential oil in people experiencing a migraine. In the trial, those who inhaled lavender essential oil for 15 minutes reported greater reduction of headache severity than those who did not.

Stay hydrated

Dehydration is often a migraine trigger, and replenishing fluids can restore your body’s balance of water and electrolytes, the National Headache Foundation says. Have trouble drinking enough water? Try this trick: Add a slice of lemon or lime to make your water taste better so you may drink more. And limit caffeine, which can be dehydrating in large amounts, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Massage your temples

 Massage can help your muscles relax. Yet whether this helps you is a personal preference. Some people experiencing a migraine may be extremely sensitive to touch, and a massage can make them feel worse. Others find that rubbing their temples stimulates circulation and helps them to relax.

Exercise

Though it may seem counterintuitive, taking a brisk walk may help ease your migraine pain. This is because aerobic exercise gets your blood flowing and reduces stress. Exercise gets your body’s natural feel-good hormones flowing, Good adds. If you’re looking for a low-impact exercise option, the Migraine Research Foundation suggests yoga or tai chi.

Bottom line

When used together with medication, these home remedies work for many people. If they don’t ease your pain, however, you may consider talking to your doctor about a change in medication.