It is common to experience migraines or headaches, but it may not be easy to diagnose and manage the condition. The pain arising from your head to the neck region can be caused by numerous reasons that might not be easy to identify. Therefore, you need expert medical providers such as Shonith Manohar, MD, a Jacksonville pain management physician at Florida Regional Pain Management, P.A., to understand your symptoms and learn how to deal with the condition. Your provider will recommend treatments depending on your symptoms and unique needs. Here are some options to manage your condition.
Prescription Medications
Your provider may recommend either pain-relieving medications or preventive drugs. You can take painkillers at the start of the migraine to stop the condition or prevent it from becoming too severe. But suppose you have a frequency of experiencing migraines. In that case, you might have to take the preventive medicines regularly, even daily, to reduce the frequency of the disease and minimize the severity of the migraines when they occur. Ensure you take the medications accurately according to your doctor’s guidelines.
Identify Your Triggers to Avoid Them
Sometimes migraines are triggered by certain factors such as particular foods, weather, drinks, or events. Therefore, it would be necessary to keep a headache journal including as much information as possible to identify the factors causing your pain. This will help you know what you need to avoid to minimize the frequency of the complication. You will note some commonalities when you look back at the circumstances you have noted.
Get a Massage
Medical experts have found that getting a massage regularly can decrease your migraine frequency. When going for massage therapy, please ensure that your therapist understands that you suffer from migraines to tailor your treatment to meet your unique needs. The massage can reduce your body’s tension and release stress, improving your body’s ability to treat migraines.
Consider Over-the-Counter Medications
If your migraines are mild, you might benefit from some over-the-counter drugs, although they might not stop the migraines altogether. It would be best to consult your doctor so that you take the suitable remedies. Naproxen, acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen are some of the common drugs that can help you. Be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle or cover the medications carefully and talk to your doctor if your condition persists or you experience other complications.
Use Hot or Cold Press
You can ease pain from migraines by placing a cold or hot compress on your neck or head, particularly the painful area. Both remedies aim to ease the pain, but one may work better for you than the other. Therefore, try both to find out which gives you the most pain relief. Also, always wrap your compress in a dry towel as you place it on your body to avoid complications such as burning or irritation.
Meditate
Sometimes calming yourself with deep breathing and meditation can ease your migraine pain. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth, focusing your attention on breathing. Think about how the air is getting in your body and expanding your lungs. This can relieve tension and stress off your body, which are some common migraine triggers.
Learn more about how you can manage migraines by contacting Dr. Manohar. Reach out to Florida Regional Pain Management, P.A. today and book your appointment. Dr. Manohar will evaluate your needs and design the most suitable treatment plan for you.