How to Treat Migraine: From Quick Relief to Lasting Prevention

Treating migraine isn’t “one size fits all.” Migraine care is about finding the right combination of treatments to reduce symptoms quickly during an attack and—most importantly—prevent future migraines from disrupting your life. At NerveSync, we understand that every patient’s journey is unique, so we offer a comprehensive, up-to-date approach to migraine management.

1. Acute Treatments: Stopping Migraine in Its Tracks

Acute treatments are taken at the first sign of a migraine attack to help stop symptoms from getting worse. Options include:

• Simple Pain Relievers: Over-the-counter medications like paracetamol (Panadol) or ibuprofen (Nurofen) can be effective for mild attacks.

• Combination Medicines: Some headache tablets combine painkillers with anti-nausea medicine.

• Triptans: These are prescription migraine-specific drugs (like sumatriptan, rizatriptan) that can help stop a migraine if taken early. They work by targeting serotonin receptors in the brain.

• Anti-nausea Medications: For those who experience significant nausea or vomiting, medications like metoclopramide or domperidone can be added.

Tip: Acute medicines work best when taken as soon as migraine symptoms begin.

2. Preventive (Prophylactic) Treatments: Reducing Frequency and Severity

If you experience frequent, prolonged, or very disabling migraines—or if acute medications aren’t enough—your doctor may recommend preventive treatment. These are taken daily or at regular intervals to reduce how often and how severe migraines are.

Traditional Preventive Options:

• Beta Blockers: Medications like propranolol, often used for blood pressure, can help prevent migraines.

• Antidepressants: Amitriptyline is commonly used, even in people without depression, as it helps stabilize nerve activity.

• Anti-epileptic Drugs: Medications such as topiramate or valproate can also prevent migraines.

Modern Preventive Therapies:

• Botox (Botulinum Toxin) Injections: Regular injections every 12 weeks are approved and highly effective for chronic migraine (15 or more headache days per month).

• CGRP Inhibitors: These new injectable medications target a molecule (calcitonin gene-related peptide) involved in migraine attacks. CGRP inhibitors (like erenumab, galcanezumab, fremanezumab) are designed specifically for migraine prevention and are showing impressive results, especially for those who haven’t responded to other options.

When do we start preventive therapy?
Preventives are generally recommended if you:

• Have 4 or more migraines per month

• Have severe, long-lasting, or disabling attacks

• Can’t tolerate or don’t respond to acute medicines

• Overuse painkillers (which can worsen headaches)

Your doctor will tailor the preventive plan to your needs and health history.

3. Non-Medication & Lifestyle Approaches

Medications are important, but migraine management works best when combined with healthy lifestyle habits and support strategies:

• Identify and avoid triggers: Keep a migraine diary to spot patterns (e.g., stress, poor sleep, certain foods, dehydration).

• Regular sleep: Aim for consistent, good-quality sleep every night.

• Stress management: Techniques like relaxation exercises, mindfulness, yoga, and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can make a big difference.

• Healthy diet and hydration: Eat regular meals and stay well-hydrated.

• Physical therapies: Physiotherapy, massage, and exercise may help some patients, especially if neck or jaw tension is a factor.

4. New and Emerging Treatments

The field of migraine treatment is rapidly evolving. In addition to CGRP inhibitors and Botox, newer options include:

• Neuromodulation Devices: Portable devices that use mild electrical or magnetic pulses to calm overactive nerves (e.g., Cefaly, gammaCore).

• Gepants and Ditans: New oral medications for acute migraine relief, especially for those who can’t take triptans.

5. Comprehensive Care at NerveSync

At NerveSync, our approach is holistic and personalised. We combine:

• Expert diagnosis and evaluation

• Access to the latest preventive and acute therapies

• Support with lifestyle changes and stress management

• Coordinated care with other health professionals (e.g., physiotherapists, psychologists, dentists for TMJ issues)

• Ongoing review and adjustment of your treatment plan as your needs change

Our goal is simple: to help you regain control, reduce migraine days, and improve your quality of life.

When Should You See a Specialist?

See a doctor or headache specialist if:

• Headaches are frequent, severe, or not improving with usual care

• Your headaches change in pattern or symptoms

• You have neurological symptoms (like weakness, vision changes, confusion)

• Over-the-counter medicines are used more than twice a week

Takeaway

Migraines are a real medical condition, and you don’t have to live in fear of the next attack. With the right combination of medication, modern therapies, and lifestyle support, most people can significantly reduce their migraine burden.

If you’re struggling with migraines, contact NerveSync for a personalised assessment and a treatment plan that’s right for you.