If a loved one is suffering from migraines, you may realize that it is a sensitive topic. After all, many people don’t understand migraines unless they get them, so saying the wrong thing can make a patient feel even more alone and misunderstood (despite the fact that about 12% of people get migraines). Here are a few sayings to avoid so you don’t accidentally convey the wrong attitude. We will conclude by presenting a way that many migraine patients are finding natural relief.
This statement screams a lack of understanding. A moderate to severe headache is just one of the many debilitating symptoms of a migraine. Migraines are a neurological condition and shouldn’t be compared to the average tension headache.
You may just be trying to tell your relative or friend that they look good and shouldn’t be concerned about their appearance. What the patient hears is that he or she doesn’t look sick so they must either be faking or the majority of the problem in their head.
Even if this is technically true, there are a few problems with this statement. First of all, no one suffering from a debilitating illness wants to be consoled with the idea that at least it won’t kill them. Second, while the pain may not kill anyone, depression is often associated with migraines. Experiencing both migraines and depression has been linked with a higher rate of suicide, which is an increasingly common cause of death, as we have seen in the news time and again recently.
About three-quarters of adult migraine patients are female, so it is understandable that there is a little confusion. But if a male friend gets migraines, he needs understanding, not something that adds to the stigma of being in the minority.
Stress is one of the most common migraine triggers. However, has telling some they just need to relax when they are all wound up ever worked? A stressed or anxious person may want to talk out feelings, not be told they simply have to banish those feelings as if they didn’t have a valid cause in the first place. Instead of suggesting relaxation, provide a patient ear so your loved one has someone to talk to. Then try to find a relaxing activity you can enjoy together like going for a walk.
Your friend or relative would rather be at work than stuck home with a migraine. It’s not a walk in the park. Migraine is a painful condition that can include sensory sensitivity, nausea, vomiting, vertigo, and a host of other symptoms. It’s not like they are spending the day at the spa instead of working. Also, they may be concerned about losing their job over missed work days due to migraines.
Your friend has probably heard and tried them all. That having been said, you don’t want your friend to miss out on a legitimate form of care just because you are afraid to mention it. You just have to do it the right way. Do the research first. Then ask if your friend has ever heard of it and go from there. If you are a fellow migraineur, you can lead by saying that it helped you and you just wanted to pass the information along.
Migraines may not have a cure, but you can get help. One natural way that more and more people are choosing to do this is through upper cervical chiropractic. If you have tried chiropractic in the past and you would like to know how this subspecialty is different, here are a few ways:
“Okay, so upper cervical chiropractic is different, but how can it help my migraines?” Good question, and we will answer it in three ways:
If you or a loved one are suffering from migraines, find a practitioner near you. A consultation may be the first step, not just to fewer migraines but to overall better health.
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The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
