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Stress tips

Stress issues, as well as constant neck muscle spasm from sitting in front of a computer, or doing work where you spend long hours in one position, have to be addressed. A few simple tips could go a long way in alleviating headache and neck pain:

• Take mini breaks;
• Stretch your body and flex the neck muscles from time to time;
• Make ergonomic adaptations such as changing the height of your chair, changing the distance between the desk and your chair and getting better back support.

There are many yoga positions that you can do at any time of day to alleviate muscle tension and feelings of anxiety and stress. Read one of the many books available on basic yoga techniques, or join a beginner's class. Biofeedback and relaxation techniques are very effective in the treatment and prevention of migraine headaches.

Try to avoid caffeine containing drinks (coffee, black tea, cola drinks and soft drinks), as well as chocolate, beer, wine and cheese, for three weeks. Cut these foods from your diet one at a time to see if their absence has a positive effect on your migraines.

Supplements and other treatments

An amino acid available from health shops, 5-hydroxy tryptophane (100-200mg) taken three times a day, is a very effective, natural way to prevent migraine headaches.

Calcium (400mg) and magnesium (200mg) supplements taken three times a day can also be suggested. Feverfew and ginger extracts can help prevent attacks. B-complex vitamins (25-50mg B1, 2, 3, 5, 6 taken three times a day), and essential fatty acids may be very useful.

Chiropractic manipulation might help for neck vertebrae misalignment, while acupuncture and trancutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is useful in the treatment of migraine.

Dr Arien van der Merwe

Read more:
MSG does not cause headaches
Warm weather can trigger migraines
What are the common symptoms of a migraine?

 

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