8 Treatment Hacks for People With Migraine and ME/CFS
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One of my worst symptoms having ME/Lyme disease has been horrific migraines; everything from aching in the temples and burning pain in the base of my skull to throbbing in the crown of my head that made me black out when I stood up.
It’s been a long journey of experimenting with different treatments, which was made all the more challenging by the fact that migraines attributed to ME do not respond to normal migraine medication.
I’m eager to share some ways I’ve found relief from migraines with CFS/ME, in the hope that it might help someone reading this.
1) Sleep/Rest.
Sometimes simply sleeping it off is what is needed.
2) Meditation and Relaxation.
If you are unable to fall asleep, meditation and visualization or any relaxation techniques that promote complete mental rest can work just as well, if not better. Research secondary suffering, where your pain is exacerbated by your emotional distress; calming this can release tension in your head.
3) Movement.
It sometimes seems like my head is congested, and going for a slow walk or doing some gentle stretching that helps circulate the blood and lymph around the body can help a lot. Drinking lots of water and other detox methods may help too.
4) Epsom Salts.
The magnesium in Epsom salts transcends the blood-brain barrier and has an immediate anesthetic effect that I find as good as any painkiller. A hot bath also stimulates circulation.
5) Acupressure Cushion and Mat
I use Shakti Mat but Prana Mat is another good brand. These are useful tools in helping release tension from the head by stimulating certain acupressure points as well as circulation.
6) The Perrin Technique
The Perrin Technique is a lymphatic drainage technique developed by Dr. Raymond Perrin. I’ve been doing this treatment with an osteopath and it’s been a game changer; my migraines are now much less frequent and severe. The treatment involves craniosacral therapy and self-massage. If you can’t afford or are not near a Perrin practitioner, you can still try the self-massage for free, just follow this YouTube video.
7) Bender Ball
My osteopath suggested that I use a semi-deflated Pilates ball, which relieves the tension from your neck and lets your head float weightlessly. This also helps release tension and encourages blood flow.
8) Painkillers and/or Migraine Medications.
Yes, there is a place for pharmaceuticals here, but I would always use them as a last resort after exhausting all other options.
Good luck; hope this helps!
Getty image by Pixels Effect.
I am an M.E. and lyme warrior living in the UK. I campaign to raise awareness of these conditions and write stories from my bed. I think it’s important for sufferers to realize that they are more than their condition. I love to travel and learn about different languages and cultures. My favourite snack is turmeric tea and cashew butter.
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