A Migraineur's Travel Checklist: Things to Remember

August 14, 2022

chiropractor for migraines, Travel Checklist

With travel restrictions finally easing up, more and more people have started to indulge in their wanderlust. Some have scheduled road trips with their family, while others who frequently worry about migraines have created checklists to help them avoid severe episodes during their travel. If you are among the thousands of patients seeking a doctor, head specialist, or chiropractor for migraines, you may want to go over our travel checklist below. 

Hopefully, our tidbits of information can help you steer clear of debilitating episodes and maximize every minute of your much-awaited getaway.

✔ Check the local weather bulletin

Besides helping you know what outfit and footwear to pack, checking the local weather bulletin in your chosen destination can help you lessen your risks for weather-related migraines. Focus on things such as extreme cold or heat warnings and humidity levels. You should also check for storm announcements and barometric changes.  

✔ Bring the essentials

Migraine attacks can happen without warning, so it pays to prepare, especially when you're miles away from home. We suggest packing things that can help curb your migraine symptoms, such as:

Migraine medications

The last thing you want is to feel helpless during a migraine episode because you forgot your medication. So, you must carry around your go-to headache or migraine medication to mitigate your symptoms before your migraine from progressing.

Sneakers 

Good-quality sneakers are a must for every traveler, especially those with intense migraine symptoms. It can help you easily walk around tourist spots and keep up with your usual workout routine while on vacation. Studies have shown that mild physical activities like brisk walking and jogging can help reduce the severity and frequency of a migraine episode.  

Essential oils

Many people seeking a chiropractor for migraines swear by the unexpected benefits they enjoy from using aromatherapy to manage their migraine. So you might find it helpful to pack a small bottle or two of essential oils like rosemary and peppermint. 

✔ Don't skip meals

It isn't easy to keep up with your regular meal hours when you're on the road or exploring an unfamiliar city. However, this can mess up your brain's chemical levels and leave you susceptible to painful headaches and other migraine symptoms. So, it would help to pack light snacks like oatmeal bars or slices of fruits while you roam around.

✔ Keep calm during stressful situations

Being away from your comfort zone can come with surprises and even stressful situations. Late airline check-ins, canceled flights, missing pieces of luggage, cars breaking down in the middle of nowhere, and more can cause your stress levels to peak. Unfortunately, these can contribute to the onset of your migraine episodes. Thankfully, you can potentially manage these stressors with the help of relaxation techniques such as:

  • Yoga breathing
  • Meditating
  • Stretching your legs after a long drive
  • Going on a morning run around your hotel or AirBnB accommodation 
  • Listening to your relaxation playlist

chiropractor for migraines, Travel Checklist

 

 

 

 

 

✔ Protect your eyes from the sun

Studies reveal that excessive sunlight exposure spell trouble for migraineurs. It can result in intense migraine headaches and other unwanted symptoms. We recommend bringing your sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat to shield your eyes from the sun, especially if you have photophobia or plan to stay out during the daytime.

✔ Don't forget to drink enough water

Most migraineurs often overlook dehydration as a trigger, causing them to feel intense discomfort. When roaming your chosen tourist destination, bring a water bottle with you. Take small sips of water or your desired hydrating fluid (except for alcoholic or caffeinated drinks) to avoid nasty episodes from ruining your holiday!

✔ Talk to your physician

Some people with frequent migraines experience worse attacks because of cabin pressure. So it would help to check if you need prescriptions for altitude sickness, such as acetazolamide. Your physician can also check if you need to switch to new migraine medications for the duration of your trip.

✔ Look out for surprise migraine triggers

Migraine triggers tend to vary from one person to another. So you might find it helpful to note your triggers in your journal. This way, you can avoid them no matter where you are. Some of the usual triggers of patients seeking a chiropractor for migraines include the following:

  • Emotional stress 
  • Hunger or dehydration
  • Bright lights, loud sounds, and strange scents
  • Caffeine and alcohol
  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Weather fluctuations
  • Diet changes
  • Medication overuse

✔ Schedule a visit to your chiropractor for migraines before your trip

Checking in with your chiropractor for migraines weeks or months before your scheduled vacation can make a lot of difference in your migraine care plan. This ensures that your C1 and C2 bones stay in place after your adjustments. Additionally, it can help you avoid migraine-causing mishaps that result from a cervical subluxation, such as:

  • Neurovascular compression
  • Poor fluid drainage in the head
  • Increased intracranial pressure
  • Irritated brainstem and nearby nerve roots
  • Constant firing of pain stimuli to and from the brain

Keeping your spinal alignment in check will also help you maintain your health so you can enjoy your life to the fullest. Plus, the helpful holistic and natural healing tips that upper cervical chiropractors provide you additional leverage in steering clear from health mishaps. 

Don't forget to drop by a chiropractic practice before you head out for an extended vacation. If you want to locate a nearby practice or check your go-to chiropractic doctor's contact details, you can check out our directory of doctors of chiropractic.

 

Find An Upper Cervical Doctor in Your Areato schedule a consultation today.

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