Migraines? We Can Fix That

A migraine is more than a headache. It's a serious condition that can interfere with every aspect of life. In some cases, migraines become chronic, causing severe distress week after week and month after month.

Even if you've had migraines your entire life, they are tricky to deal with alone. Knowing the triggers of a migraine helps, but getting relief fast enough is usually an issue. Luckily, there are lifestyle changes and even medications that help you control migraine pain.

At Integrated Body and Medicine, we’re experts in dealing with various health issues, including migraines. We take a holistic and noninvasive approach to your health, using treatments like lifestyle changes and alternative therapies to relieve bothersome migraines.

Understanding migraines

A migraine is more than just a headache; it's a disruptive and painful problem that leads to throbbing and severe discomfort on one side of the head. The symptoms of a migraine often worsen with loud noises and exposure to bright lights.

There are different types of migraines, including those with an aura or symptoms before the headache begins and a migraine without an aura. Other types include:

• Retinal migraine
• Chronic migraine
• Menstrual migraine
• Silent migraine
• Hemiplegic migraine
• Child migraine

The type of migraine you have may determine the symptoms you experience. Head pain is only one aspect of a migraine. You may also have symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.

Symptoms vary depending on the stage of the migraine you're in. Aura symptoms differ from those you feel after the migraine. Still, they all can affect your ability to do everyday activities.

Can I treat a migraine at home?

Migraines vary from mild to severe and can last a few hours or days. In some cases, you can effectively manage a migraine on your own, but that's not always true. Before you venture to the emergency room, try some home care techniques for relief.

The key to treating a migraine at home is to take action as soon as the migraine starts. If you have a specific routine that works, follow that for quick relief of symptoms. But if you're new to migraines, you can try the following techniques to eliminate pain:

• Head to a dark, cool room
• Get some rest and relax
• Try massaging your scalp
• Apply gentle pressure to the temples
• Put warm compresses on your forehead
• Try ice or a cold compress on your neck

You can also try meditation or relaxation techniques to ease the muscles around your neck and head. It may help ease any stress you have related to the migraine attack.

Over-the-counter medications can help relieve discomfort, including anti-inflammatories, but beware of the dose. Too much of any medication has detrimental effects on your body and internal organs.

Professional care for migraine headaches

You may not be able to manage every migraine at home, so we offer various therapies at our practice. Suffering from a migraine isn't something anyone should have to go through, so we can help you get to the bottom of the issue.

Along with helping you find the specific triggers of your migraine headaches, we also offer treatments for relief after one has started, including:

Relaxation techniques

Relaxation can ease the symptoms of a migraine. We provide various forms of relaxation techniques, such as massage, guided imagery, and meditation, to help you cope with migraine pain.

Regular exercise

Exercise is a good tool for migraine prevention, especially when done regularly. Cardio and weightlifting allow your body to release endorphins, which block pain signals to your brain. Regular exercise may lessen migraine attacks and reduce pain during one.

A healthy diet

Certain foods can trigger a migraine, but so can skipping meals. Adopting a healthy diet void of food triggers keeps a migraine at bay and your symptoms manageable.

Medications

If conservative measures don't work to relieve the migraine, we may offer medications to ease pain and symptoms. The medicines that typically work for even the toughest migraine include triptans, ditans, and antiemetics to prevent vomiting.

Alternative therapies

Alternative therapies are an excellent option for migraine relief, especially paired with a healthy diet and regular exercise. We recommend such alternative treatments as biofeedback, herbs, and remedies for quick relief. 

We also offer IV nutritional therapy to give your body the nutrients it needs to overcome and recover from migraine pain.

Call us today at our office in the greater Highland and Hammond, Indiana, area, or use our online scheduling tool to book an appointment for migraine treatment.