Are Your Migraines Worse in Spring? Learn Why and How to Manage Them

Spring is a season of transition and rebirth. We’re leaving the cold, dry winter and adapting to a warmer, wetter climate. For women who suffer from frequent migraines and headaches, the transition to spring can be challenging. It can be hard to enjoy the season if you’re struggling with a stiff neck, and constant pounding in your head. Understanding why you’re headaches may get worse around this time of year and planning for the seasonal shift can help you reduce your symptoms and finally enjoy the beauty of spring.

Migraine Symptoms

Do you feel like your migraine is much more than just a headache? Migraine’s come with a lot of uncomfortable symptoms and can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. The onset of a migraine can look and feel different to everyone who suffers from them. Headache is the main symptom, but some other signs of a migraine include neck stiffness, jaw pain/TMJ, mood changes, sensitivity to light, visual aura, nausea, and vomiting. 

Seasonal Migraine Triggers

Everyone has headaches for different reasons, but once you start experiencing them, you might be more susceptible to common triggers. Weather is one of the most common triggers for migraines. Spring, especially in New England, experiences so many ups and down’s in both temperature and humidity, it can really throw our bodies off if we aren’t prepared for the change.  

Do you sometimes feel like you can physically feel the season coming? Well, you might actually be able to! The pressure in the air changes with the seasons and these changes have long been known to affect our bodies. Our sinuses, a common cause of headaches and spring malaise, are essentially little pockets of air. They are happiest when their internal pressure is equal to the external pressure of the atmosphere. Changes in weather can cause a drop in the external pressure, and this imbalance can actually lead to sinus pain and eventually migraines. You can’t control the weather, but tracking the weather so you know when changes might be coming can help you prepare. Make sure you’re drinking enough water to combat the pressure changes, and avoid any migraine-inducing foods like alcohol, artificial sweetener, processed meat, and chocolate. 

Another spring migraine trigger is the sun! After months of long, dark days and little exposure to bright light, the sun can bring on eye sensitivity that leads to headaches if you’re outside too much. Try bringing sunglasses with you, or ease into how much time you spend in direct sunlight. 

If you already suffer from migraines, allergies can make your symptoms even worse. Allergies cause an inflammatory response as your immune system tries to fight off spring allergens. It can worsen the pressure in your sinuses, and overwhelm your nervous system. If you tend to experience allergies with migraines, prepare for allergy season ahead of time so you can avoid suffering this spring. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet full of bone broth, fish, fresh fruit and greens, and natural herbal teas. Avoid alcohol, processed foods, and refined carbohydrates. They will likely make your symptoms worse.

Holistic Treatment For Migraines

Acupuncture can address your migraines and ease your symptoms during the spring season. Your acupuncturist will work to understand the cause of your headaches and provide a treatment plan specific to your body. Balancing the qi or energy in your body is key to reducing chronic symptoms. If you know you experience spring Migraines, visit your acupuncturist before the season to help prevent them. Typical over-the-counter medication can only mask the symptoms of migraines and headaches. Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for long-term relief. 

Massage can be another great way to ease migraine and headache symptoms. Stick necks and upper backs can be both a side effect and cause headaches. A licensed massage therapist can evaluate your body and address any structural issues or tightness that might be worsening your symptoms! 

Heal Your Headaches with Dedham Acupuncture

Dedham Acupuncture provides safe and effective treatment for a variety of health-related conditions, including migraines. Our licensed acupuncturist takes a holistic look at your body and symptoms to find the treatment plan that’s best for you. Contact us today to set up a consultation or book your next appointment!