Migraine Relief in Minutes: Three Simple Swaps That Stop Head Pain Fast
Just a few small tweaks to your migraine self-care routine can stop discomfort in its tracks
Key Takeaways
- Switching from ibuprofen to other pain relievers, like naproxen, may improve migraine relief.
- Cooling your neck instead of your head may help ease migraine pain within 30 minutes.
- The scent of lavender may offer relief for some people when inhaled during a migraine attack.
Migraines are more than just a nuisance—they can trigger common symptoms like extreme sensitivity to light, throbbing head pain and nausea that can be debilitating. The worst part? Left untreated, a migraine can last for up to 72 hours. But that doesn’t mean you have to live with migraine pain. Research proves there are a few simple swaps you can make to your routine that provide real, lasting migraine relief. Keep reading for the surprising treatment options that can help.
3 easy swaps for migraine relief
Aside from avoiding common migraine triggers like stress, lack of sleep and dehydration, consider adding these smart migraine-relief strategies to your routine to manage symptoms with ease.
Switch up your meds
When Mayo Clinic researchers analyzed data from more than 3 million migraine attacks, they found that NSAID pain relievers other than ibuprofen (including naproxen and diclofenac) were, on average, 94 percent more likely than ibuprofen to be effective. Prescription triptans (such as Relpax, Zomig and Imitrex) performed even better, proving around five times as likely to work. The researchers say their findings confirm that taking triptans earlier in treatment—rather than saving them for when pain becomes severe or after OTC painkillers fail—may be better at heading off attacks.
Shift your gel pack
Multiple studies show that cold packs help provide migraine pain relief, but cooling your neck rather than your head may be even more effective. A University of Hawaii study found that 77 percent of folks who applied a frozen wrap over the front of their neck at the start of a migraine found relief. Indeed, those who chilled their necks decreased pain by 32 percent within 30 minutes, while those who didn’t experienced a 31.5 percent increase in pain. The researchers suspect chilling the neck cools blood flowing through the carotid arteries before it can reach the brain, reducing migraine pain fast. One skin-safe cold pack to try: Chilltherapy Small Ripple.
Find your new fragrance
Scents can trigger an attack in up to 70 percent of people with migraines, according to Brazilian findings. Although scent triggers can vary from person to person, there’s one exception for many of us: lavender. In fact, a study in European Neurology found that inhaling it for 15 minutes helped relieve 71 percent of migraine attacks, reducing pain by an average of 3.6 points on a 10-point scale.
Tip: Dab two to three drops of lavender essential oil (diluted in a carrier oil) on your upper lip to mimic the study’s easy-to-inhale technique for speedy migraine relief. Or simply light a candle, like Sand + Fog’s Lavender Scented Candle, to fill your room with the migraine-taming scent.
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