Self-treatment for migraines

Medications play an important role in the treatment of migraines, but self-care and preventive measures in everyday life are equally important. You can combine this with medication if necessary.

Identify and avoid triggers

Many people with migraines find that attacks are triggered by triggers. These can be foods, lack of sleep, stress, strong smells or sensory impressions, smoking or other things. By identifying if you have any triggers and making simple changes in your daily life, you can reduce migraines. You can use a headache diary to identify triggers.

Facilitate your daily life

In addition to avoiding known triggers, some people experience an improvement in migraines by eating regular meals, getting plenty of sleep, and keeping stress levels low. What suits you and your daily life will vary. You can also get help from a physiotherapist or chiropractor for ergonomic measures at home or at work.

Diet

If you know specific foods that trigger attacks for you, you can try to avoid them. Some people find that red wine and other types of alcohol, certain types of cheese, or additives trigger migraine attacks. Some diets have shown promising effects against migraines, but much research remains before they can become a widespread treatment option. It is necessary to validate the results in larger studies, and we have therefore chosen not to write about it here yet. If you want to try a special diet for migraines, you should plan this in consultation with your doctor or another professional.

Physical activity and relaxation

Fitness training with gradually increasing intensity can have an effect against migraines. Some people experience the effect of yoga treatment for migraines. Relaxation exercises also have a documented effect against migraines, and can be done alone or in combination with biofeedback. Acupuncture may provide relief in some people, but has weak scientific documentation.

Biofeedback

Biofeedback is a non-drug migraine treatment with documented effect. Traditional biofeedback takes place in a clinic together with a therapist, but is not widely available in Norway today. A new, home-based biofeedback treatment that is being tested in clinical studies in Norway. If the studies show efficacy, self-treatment with biofeedback at home will be available to everyone with migraines.