Paige’s Journey with Migraines
Paige has suffered from migraine headaches for as long as she can remember. Even in elementary school, she frequently found herself in the nurse’s office, though at the time she was told it was just “tension headaches.” It wasn’t until her 20s that she finally found a doctor who truly listened to her symptoms and started her on migraine medication to help manage the daily pain.
The road to that point, however, was filled with frustration. She received plenty of bad advice, encountered people who didn’t take her seriously, and even had one doctor tell her that having 19 to 20 headaches a month “wasn’t so bad”—as if comparing pain could somehow make it more bearable. Despite all of this, Paige never stopped seeking answers. She learned to trust herself, even when others didn’t.
In 2013, after experiencing a vertebral artery dissection (VAD) and a stroke, she was no longer allowed to take migraine medications. That life-altering event forced her to return to the natural remedies she had always believed in—and that had quietly supported her all along.
Through it all, the most important tool in managing her pain hasn’t been medication, but her family’s understanding. Pain, especially invisible pain, can be easily dismissed. When families fail to acknowledge it, it can create isolation and damage relationships. Paige’s family chooses to hold space for her—to listen, to support, and to let her express her frustration without judgment. That makes all the difference.
Of course, learning her own triggers has helped too. These days, Paige still experiences migraines, but they’re less frequent. And when one does hit, her go-to comfort is always her Ice Hat—waiting in the freezer, ready to help her get through the pain.
Headache Tips
Tips That Helped Paige with Chronic Headaches & Migraine
These tips are just suggestions that have helped Paige personally. Everyone’s journey is different, so always consult with your doctor and share as much information as possible. Even doctors and researchers are still learning about the causes and triggers of chronic headaches — so never stop learning and advocating for yourself.
Lifestyle & Immediate Relief
Hydration: Drink lots of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
Coffee for Pain Relief: When the pain is intense, Paige drinks a small cup of unsweetened coffee. (Check with your doctor — caffeine can be helpful or harmful depending on your body.)
Peppermint Oil: Digestible peppermint oil (like DoTerra) can help ease symptoms. Make sure it’s food-grade and safe for ingestion.
Ice Therapy: Use an ice pack on the back of the neck (where the neck meets the base of the skull). Paige recommends the ICE Hat (available on Amazon), which covers the whole head.
Keep Feet Warm: Use a heating pad or blanket on your feet while applying ice to your head — this contrast can help with circulation.
Rosewater Spray: Use organic, alcohol-free rosewater spray on your face and body to cool and refresh.
Ginger: Ginger tea, ginger ale (low sugar), or ginger snap cookies can help soothe stomach upset.
Body Positioning & Movement
Elevate Legs or Hips: Try lying with legs elevated above the heart or resting in Child’s Pose, breathing slowly and deeply for several minutes.
Warm Shower & Neti Pot: A warm shower followed by a neti pot rinse can relieve head and sinus pressure.
Warm Bath with Epsom Salt: Soak in a warm bath with Epsom salts, ensuring your neck, shoulders, and legs are immersed.
Massage & Myofascial Release: Use a ball to release tension in the head, neck, face, and upper back.
Cranial Sacral Massage: If professional massage isn't available, place two tennis balls in a sock and lie down with them at the base of the skull. Adjust height with a towel or blanket if needed. Breathe deeply and notice how tension connects from your neck to your head and even your eyes.
Environment & Routine
Quiet, Dark, Cool Room: Rest in a space with soft or no sounds, low light, and a cool temperature.
Eye Pillow: Block out light with a soft eye pillow or mask.
Balanced Routine: Avoid extremes — too much or too little food or sleep can trigger symptoms. Try to maintain a regular routine.
Awareness & Prevention
Know Your Triggers: Learn what sets you off — alcohol, certain foods, weather (barometric pressure), hormone changes, etc.
Travel Tips: Airplanes and high altitudes can trigger symptoms. Hydrate well and use the above tools before, during, and after travel.
Acupuncture: Seek a practitioner with specific training in headache pain relief.
Empowerment & Support
You won’t avoid every headache — that’s okay. What matters is having tools to cope, knowing when to ask for help, and getting the care you need.
If you feel dismissed or unheard, don’t give up hope. Paige spent years searching for doctors who would listen and take her seriously. The most important lesson she learned:
TRUST YOURSELF.
You know your body. The pain is real. You are not alone.