Nothing is crueler than having a migraine and neck pain at the same time. Instead of attending to your usual chores at home or office, you end up dealing with the pain. Imagine how better things would be if you have go-to remedies that deliver results. With this situation in mind, we thought of sharing our knowledge on migraine and neck pain and how you can reduce your symptoms. 

Before we go into the nitty-gritty parts of the promising methods for relief, let’s look at some fascinating facts about migraines and the neck. 

Interesting facts about migraine and the neck 

It’s not fun to suffer from a migraine and neck pain. Unfortunately, for many migraineurs, neck pain is one of the most common accompanying symptoms of their condition. Ever wondered why they often occur together? To help you understand their connection, let’s check out some fascinating facts about the two health problems:

• Migraines occur in more than 39 million Americans plus 1 billion more from other countries. 
• Migraine episodes tend to be more common among women compared to men.
• Even children can suffer from migraine attacks.
• It’s a highly prevalent health problem that causes mild to severe debilitating effects. 
• Most migraineurs report pain on one side, while others claim they feel a throbbing or pulsating sensation on both sides of their head. 
• Typically, a migraine episode can last for a few hours, but it can extend up to 5 days.
• Neck pain is more common than nausea or vomiting in patients suffering from mild to severe migraines. 
• Neck pain tends to occur before a migraine episode. 
• Bone misalignment, especially the upper cervical bones, can trigger worse bouts of migraine headaches. 
• Pain medication abuse can trigger both episodic and chronic migraine attacks. 

How to cope when you have a migraine episode 

Surely, migraine episodes can bring a lot of pain and discomfort. Imagine dealing with a migraine attack while you’re in the middle of an important meeting or while you’re dining out with your family. It’s frustrating and tiring. Fortunately, there are several options for pain management: 

• Lidocaine

Lidocaine, an anesthetic drug, can help in managing migraines. It’s a prescription medication that you can use in several ways. Most patients use cotton pledgets, nasal drops, and nasal sprays to apply the medication. Essentially, lidocaine numbs the trigeminal nerve, specifically the sphenopalatine ganglion. 

Upon application, it quickly provides relief from migraines and even cluster headaches. However, the effects tend to be short-lived, ranging from an hour or two. While you can use it repeatedly, you might need to deal with some unwanted side effects like palpitation or confusion.

• Neuromodulation Devices

Neuromodulation devices, as the name suggests, help in modulating brain activity. Studies show that such equipment can help patients cope with migraine attacks. They mostly come in a portable size, so you can conveniently bring them anywhere. There are three types of neuromodulation devices: GammaCore, Transcutaneous supraorbital neurostimulator, and SpringTMS. 

• Make a few changes to your routine. 

To better manage migraine and neck pain, you may also need to make a few adjustments to certain lifestyle choices. For starters, you should limit alcohol intake. Studies show that patients who have migraines tend to suffer from worse symptoms due to alcohol consumption. It's a popular vasodilator that widens blood vessels and contributes to increased headache intensity. It can also cause dehydration because alcohol can act as a diuretic.

Here are other helpful lifestyle adjustments that you can try:

• Use essential oils for migraine and neck pain- Essential oils from rosemary, peppermint, chamomile, eucalyptus, and lavender may help calm the nerves and muscles.

• Get enough rest, especially at night - Sleep deprivation most likely results in more severe and frequent migraine attacks and neck pain.
• Stay away from allergy-causing food - Food products like cured meats, beer, and wine often contain histamine can trigger allergic reactions. These can cause you more discomfort. 
• Get rid of stress – Exposure to stress can sometimes result in harsher migraine episodes. That’s why you should manage your stress levels as effectively as you can. You can try relaxation tactics like aerobic exercise or yoga. 
• Enjoy a relaxing massage – Massages, when done correctly, can provide significant relief from migraines and neck pain. They can help soothe muscle pain and lessen headaches.  
• Avoid over-exerting yourself – While physical activities may come in handy in releasing the body’s natural pain reliever, physical over-exertion can cause you more problems. It could worsen your neck pain and headaches if you’re not too careful. 

Besides trying these tips, you may also find massive changes in your condition with upper cervical care. It’s a natural technique used to address various health problems, including migraines and neck pain.

#1 Solution for Migraine and Neck Pain

Migraineurs have long used upper cervical chiropractic to cope with their throbbing headaches. However, besides headaches, upper cervical care also helps with neck pain. In fact, it corrects the very root cause of both issues – neck bone misalignment.

Through gentle and precise adjustments, an upper cervical chiropractor can initiate natural healing. By restoring the proper alignment, you release pressure on the brainstem tissue and your spinal column. It also eases tension on the neck muscles and ligaments. 

The procedure involves a series of careful adjustments that focus on the topmost bones of the neck. Even after a few years, the adjustments hold their place, allowing you to experience lasting pain relief. 

Learn more about how you can ease your migraine and neck pain with the help of an upper cervical chiropractor. Find a nearby chiropractic doctor today and book a consultation!

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