Remedies for Mild Migraine: Simple Ways to Stop It Early

Migraine warning signs are often unrecognizable, including changes to bowel movements, urination, food cravings, and mood. So, you may not know an attack is imminent until it’s too late. Although preventing migraines isn’t always possible, some treatments can ease the pain and shorten the duration of the headache.

According to experts, dehydration increases the frequency and severity of migraines. Drinking more water has the opposite effect, reducing migraine frequency. Those that occur may be mild migraines, so even then, the remedy is worthwhile for decreased pain.

Migraines often benefit from improved hydration for several reasons. Dehydration thickens the blood and slows circulation, forcing the heart to pump harder and increasing blood pressure. These issues often trigger migraines, so increasing water consumption is vital.

Stiffness in the neck and upper back is often reported during migraines. Such tension makes movement difficult and uncomfortable, increasing your migraine pain. However, a relaxing massage is one of the best remedies for stiffness during a mild migraine.

Recent studies show that massage therapy improves circulation, relaxes muscles, and reduces stiffness. Even if the migraine persists, massage may ease the pain to a more manageable level.

One of the most recommended remedies for mild migraines is relaxation, including controlled breathing, yoga, and meditation. These techniques slow your heart rate and blood pressure while boosting circulation. The muscles relax, reducing tension and pain.

Your nervous system also reacts to such relaxation techniques. The parasympathetic nervous system engages, telling your body to rest while triggering cardiac and digestive responses. The sympathetic nervous system, which activates during pain and stress, calms down, reducing your migraine symptoms.

Sleeping too much or too little may trigger a migraine attack. However, once the migraine has taken hold, one remedy to reduce those mild symptoms is taking a nap. Lying down for an hour or two often relieves the worst of the pain.

Experts believe migraines sometimes result from poor sleep habits. The pain wakes you when you’ve slept too much or encourages naps after too little sleep. Though naps may relieve the pain, maintaining proper sleep habits often prevents migraines.

Some supplements may be used as remedies for mild migraines. Depleting the brain’s energy stores frequently triggers a migraine. Vitamin B2, also called Riboflavin, may help to restore energy, potentially reducing migraine frequency and severity.

Magnesium improves nervous system function, decreasing migraine pain. Co-enzyme Q10 encourages energy production in the body and brain. Vitamin B1, also called Thiamine, also aids in energy production and mitochondrial function, possibly reducing mild migraine symptoms.

Resources:

1. Mayo Clinic, Migraine
   https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20360201
2. PubMed, July 2020, Association of drinking water and migraine headache severity
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32446809/
3. The Heart Foundation, March 8, 2019, The Importance of Water
   https://theheartfoundation.org/2019/03/08/the-importance-of-water/
4. PMC, Sept. 2, 2021, The Effects of Massage Therapy on a Patient with Migraines and Cervical Spondylosis: A Case Report
   https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8362828/
5. American Migraine Foundation, Sept. 6, 2023, Relaxation and Paced Breathing Exercises for Migraine
   https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/breathing-exercises-for-migraine/
6. The Migraine Trust, March 18, 2022, Sleep and Migraine
   https://migrainetrust.org/news/sleep-and-migraine/
7. The Migraine Trust, Supplements for Migraine
   https://migrainetrust.org/live-with-migraine/healthcare/treatments/supplements/
8. PMC, Jan. 31, 2018, Dietary Intake of Thiamine in Migraine Patients and Healthy Subjects: a Case-Control Study
   https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5796922/