Imagine yourself enjoying a picnic with your loved ones at your favorite spot. You have been planning for this vacation for months, and so far, everything is going smoothly.
Suddenly, you start feeling extremely nauseous and within a few minutes, a full-fledge migraine attach hits you. Frustrated, you start digging through your bag, only to find nothing. Luckily, a nearby tourist gives you some aspirin that provides you a small bit of relief. But is that all you can do when a migraine attack kicks in?
People who are familiar with the excruciating pain of a migraine know how hard it can be to carry on with your daily activities when your head is constantly pounding. And when this occurs, most people simply take some type of painkiller and crawl into bed, waiting for the agony to go away.
But not anymore. With all the recent advancements in science and technology, there are plenty of migraine devices like migraine sunglasses, migraine cap, migraine head-wraps and so much more with you you can beat migraines.
So without further ado, let's take a look at these devices.
Migraine Glasses
Migraine glasses are a favorite migraine device among people who are particularly tired of these frequent attacks. This device includes specially-tinted glass that controls light sensitivity, a factor that commonly triggers a migraine in many people.
Everyone is sensitive to light to some extent. For example, if you try looking directly into the sun, you are obviously going to feel pain in your eyes. But for people suffering from migraines, this sensitivity turns into hypersensitivity. Spending long hours under the sun can be discomforting for migraine sufferers. In addition, indoor lights can also trigger migraines in these individuals. This light hypersensitivity is extremely common in people and according to some sources, as many as 90% of the people with diagnosed migraines suffer from this sensitivity. (1)
The positive side of this story is that there are only a few wavelengths of light that tend to trigger and aggravate migraines. (2) Therefore by blocking these particular wavelengths, great relief and protection from migraine sufferers can be provided; which is the principle on which the migraine glasses work.
So if you are a frequent victim, consider using glasses to help with migraines. In fact, these glasses have been found to provide relief to almost 90% of the people with light sensitivity.
Migraine Caps
Do you feel like squeezing your head or putting it in a tub of ice as soon as migraine hits? Well, your wishes have been heard. Migraine caps are a great way to provide your throbbing head with a combination of compression and cooling in the most balanced proportions. As a result, you can often say goodbye to these attacks sooner than usual.
A migraine cap is normally made up of micro-fleece but is also available in other varieties like cotton or spandex. Whatever material you decide to get, the cap is extremely comfortable to wear. A migraine cap comes with specialized ice packs that you can freeze and place inside the special pockets before putting on the cap.
The ice cubes causes your blood vessels to shrink and decrease the blood flow which consequently reduces the migraine-associated pain. (3) It also slows down the nerve conduction which means that it practically makes you numb to the excruciating pain that you may feel otherwise. (4)
So the next time when a migraine starts kicking in, simply put on your migraine cap and hopefully watch it go away without ruining your day. You can also wear it on hectic days, for example, when you are bound to use the computer for long hours, as it can trigger migraines in many people.
There are many different varieties of migraine caps available on the market. Try looking for the one that fully covers your neck, the occipital area, parietal area, temporal region, and the crown.
Cefaly Migraine Device
In March 2014, the FDA approved a newly launched device for migraines known as the Cefaly migraine device. This device uses transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation to prevent the onset of migraines. Since this approval, the use of Cefaly rose by many folds with different people inquiring about whether this product is suitable for their condition.
What Is The Cefaly Migraine Device And How Does It Work?
A typical migraine attack usually involves a nerve in your body called the trigeminal nerve. This nerve is not only the largest cranial nerve but also the most complex. It has several branches, one of which is present near the skin of the forehead from where you can directly access it. A Cefaly device delivers tiny electric signals to stimulate this branch of nerves. As a result, these electrical pulses trigger the release of pain-killing substances like endorphins and provide immediate migraine relief. (5)
There are two different ways to use a Cefaly migraine device. You can use it during a migraine attack to limit it or utilize it on a daily basis in order to prevent an attack in the future. The best thing about this device is that it is completely non-invasive and can be used at home without any medical assistance.
Migraine Head-wrap
Just like migraine caps, the market is filled with different varieties of head-wraps that can deliver pressure, cold, and/or heat to relieve the pain related to headache. Some of them also considerably reduce the duration of the headache without inducing any side effects in contrast to most migraine medicines.
These head-wraps or headbands are designed in such a way that they produce pressure. These wraps use a tension strap which provides your body with adequate pressure. Some varieties come with gel packs that can either be frozen or microwaved before being inserted into specialized pockets for extra relief.
The principle behind using a migraine head wrap is similar to a migraine cap. These head-wraps can provide compression together with heat or cold which can effectively control the symptoms of migraines and reduce their intensity and duration in up to 87% of the users. (6) (7)
Migraine Mask
As mentioned before, light sensitivity is a common trigger for migraines. And during a migraine attack, even the darkest blackout curtains can fail to provide relief. In such circumstances, the best thing to use is a migraine mask for your eyes. This mask not only provides compression to your hurting head but can also block out light so you can rest in a completely dark environment.
Most migraine masks are made up of cotton material that you can easily wear without the risk of any allergic reactions. Migraine masks also provide a gentle massage around your eye area while avoiding direct pressure to your eyes. It can be used in acute settings i.e. during an active migraine attack, as well as on a daily basis, or on high-risk days such as after hours of working on a computer or traveling a lot.
Some varieties of a migraine mask can also be stored in a freezer to experience an extra soothing effect while avoiding the harshness of ice. You can even consider wearing it as you sleep as it perfectly blocks out light. Most migraine masks come with an elastic strap that keeps it in place during sleep.
Crystals
If you have never heard of crystal therapy as a treatment for migraines, you’re not alone. Using crystals for migraines is an unpopular and rather controversial complementary therapy to get rid of the agonizing headaches that may make your life miserable.
Some of the most commonly used crystals for migraines are amethyst, rose quartz, and lapis lazuli. The use of crystals dates back to ancient Greece, Rome, and Samaria. Their use is also mentioned in many religious texts including the Bible. These crystals seem to work on the Vibrations theory which states that every matter on earth, including crystals, vibrates at its own frequency. And there are certain crystals with specific frequencies that can successfully interact with the frequencies of your body to promote healing. (8) Moreover, according to some, the use of these crystals also aids in absorbing and focusing energy into the body. (9)
There are different ways to use crystals for migraines. You can either use these crystals and incorporate them into jewelry such as a ring, earrings, or a pendant. Or, you can simply place these crystals next to you or on your work desk. Some people prefer carrying these crystals with them in their purse or pockets.
Just like any other non-conventional treatment with limited scientific evidence, using crystals obviously has its doubters. Many believe that this therapy does not work. Others argue that the positive effects provided by these crystals are only placebo effects. However, because it is a non-invasive and completely harmless procedure, you can try it out to check if it works for you.
Final Thoughts
Migraines are a potentially debilitating condition that can hinder your day-to-day activities and disturb your overall quality of life. Despite using preventive medicines and timely pharmaceutical interventions, many people still continue to suffer from them. For these individuals, there are many different devices available in the market to tackle migraines without causing harmful side effects. From migraine caps to crystal therapy, there are plenty of options to try. Don’t be afraid to try some of them and see what works the best for you. At the end of the day, your health and well-being is worth it.
