Managing Migraine Pains: Migraine is a very chronic disease that battles its patients. Although it is self-diagnosable, sometimes, coping with it is not in any way easy.
Migraine aura symptoms might last for hours, sometimes days let alone the actual migraine pains that accompany it.
Consulting a doctor and getting medications might be a good way of managing migraine pains, however, getting these two options available might be somehow difficult at times.
The sole aim of this article is therefore to discuss somebody stretches that can help one to cope with migraine pains.
How Can Stretch Combat Migraine?
It might sound awkward to link migraine and exercises together, but, these moves are practical moves you can try out. As confirmed, the stretches help to release the tension that exists in the upper part of the body thereby easing migraine pains. These exercises are exercises that stretch the body. It is often called YOGA.
Yoga is a kind of exercise that deals with the combination of stretching, consciousness, and slight breathing in reducing the major triggers of migraine.
There are confirmations from researchers about this. Research carried out in 2020 showed that the combination of both yoga and meditation work better in the management of migraine better than taking only medical therapy.
Another research that was carried out in 2014 showed that yoga helped in the reduction of headaches in migraine patients. This study showed that yoga decreases stress hormones. It helps to loosen the muscle and helps to release physical tension.
However, even though yoga stretching can help to manage migraine, it is noteworthy that not all yoga stretching can reduce migraine pains.
Some are more stressful to practice and they involve much more strength and complex postures. These kinds of stretches are not advised to be practiced as management of migraine, as can rather affect the health and worsen the situation.
These few yoga stretchings are therefore confirmed to be calm and cool enough to manage migraine.
Managing Migraine Pains: Side Neck Bending
A side neck bend is a simple stretch that is done to relieve pain and tension in the upper part of the body( head or neck). It can be done while standing or sitting.
Steps
- To do this, remain in a standing or sitting but relaxed position. Be neutral, be in a restful position and let your arms be by your sides.
- Lower your right ear towards your right shoulder while stretching your neck to tilt in that direction.
- Release yourself to the normal position and try it the other way.
Managing Migraine Pains: Seated Forward Fold
Seated forward fold is the practice of sitting on the floor with the legs straightly stretched and the head bending forward. This exercise helps to stretch the spine and the legs and the back part of the thigh. It reduces body and body tension.
Steps
- Get yourself a good sitting position on the floor. If you are taking the exercise for the first time, you might need some support. If you do, get yourself a folded big piece of cloth under your buttocks or bend your knees slightly.
- Let your toes be pointed towards the ceiling or sky.
- Bend your back in an attempt to touch your toes.
- Try and get your fingers on your toes. Remain in this position for some seconds and release it.
Managing Migraine Pains: Child’s Pose
Child’s pose is a good stretch that helps to get the body in a relaxed position. Funnily, it makes you look like a child or baby when you practice it.
Steps
- Go on a kneeling position.
- Spread your knees slightly and let your buttocks rest on your heels.
- Rest forward, place your forehead on the floor and stretch your hands to reach forward.
- Try this for a few seconds and release yourself.
Managing Migraine Pains: Thread The Needle
“Thread the needle” is often used to relax serious back or shoulder pain. When your shoulders or possibly the spine are giving you aura pains, you can try this out.
Steps
- Go on the floor in a baby’s crawling posture like a four-legged animal.
- Raise your right hand with your fingers pointing at the sky and your chest half-open.
- Raise your face to face upward as well.
- Bring down your right hand and slide it between your body and the mat, while you allow your right shoulder to touch the floor.
- Do the same thing for your left hand.
Managing Migraine Pains: Downward-Facing Dog
The downward-facing dog is the stretch that is done to enable the even circulation of blood through the head. Migraine is a disease that often affects the head much more than many other parts of the body. Therefore, this stretch is very important for migraine patients.
Steps
- Also, like the “thread the needle”, go on the floor in a baby’s crawling posture.
- Raise your knees and buttocks.
- Let your toes be firm on the ground still and your fingers touch the ground.
- Create a letter “V” shape that’s facing upside down.
The above stretches are stretches that can be used to manage migraine just like has been said. They have been succinctly explained above.
However, if you have not practiced any of the moves above before or you find any of them difficult to practice, consult an expert in the field, one who would put you through them. And, to aid better healing, you can go ahead and take medications alongside practicing the exercises.
