Top 5 Tips for Curing Migraines

Migraines have many causes, triggers, symptoms, and varying levels of disability. One of the most common causes of migraines is cervicogenic headache — literally meaning “neck originating” migraine.

Migraines are incredibly debilitating. We have helped dozens of patients with severe migraines over many years. When migraines improve, it can change a person’s life immeasurably for the better.

With the following five tips, you can begin easing the pain and potentially eliminate them completely. However, if symptoms persist for more than 24 hours or worsen, make sure you seek medical advice.

1. Apply Heat

While it can be difficult to diagnose the exact source of your migraine, applying heat to the neck and shoulders can help. You can also apply gentle heat to the forehead area.

Wheat bags work very well. Heat them in the microwave and apply to your forehead or neck for 5 minutes every two hours. Heat helps relax muscles, reduce stress, and can ease tension contributing to cervicogenic migraine.

2. Improve Your Posture

Working on posture alone can significantly reduce chronic cervicogenic migraines. Sit upright, walk tall, and keep your shoulders level. Ideally, your arms and shoulders should rest at 90-degree angles while working.

Raise your computer screen approximately 4 inches so your neck stays in a neutral position. Good neck alignment reduces long-term strain and migraine frequency.

3. Gentle Massage

While deep tissue massage may aggravate symptoms during an acute migraine, a very gentle massage to the head and neck can provide relief.

Long term, physiotherapy or osteopathy can address underlying neck dysfunction contributing to chronic migraines. Manual therapy, mobilisation and soft tissue techniques can reduce pain and improve range of movement.

4. Pain Relief Medication

Anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen may help ease migraine pain and is often one of the first things people try. It is less likely to be fully effective for cervicogenic migraine but may reduce acute discomfort.

Medication is not recommended as a long-term solution due to potential side effects. Treating the root cause — often neck-related — is usually more effective.

5. Acupuncture

Acupuncture can be very effective for migraine relief. There are two main philosophies behind acupuncture: the traditional Chinese approach, which focuses on meridians and the flow of Qi, and the Western approach (trigger point acupuncture).

Trigger point acupuncture identifies tight muscle fibres and uses fine needles to reduce muscular tension. When applied to the head and neck, it can significantly relieve migraine symptoms.

These five tips can be very helpful for cervicogenic migraines. However, if symptoms worsen or become severe, consult your GP or medical professional immediately.

(These videos are provided by Rehab My Patient – the best exercise prescription software for therapists to prescribe exercises www.rehabmypatient.com. If you are a patient needing advice, call Surrey Physio to book a face-to-face appointment on 0208 685 6930 or book online via the link at the top of the page.)