Nonpharmacologic preventive measures are important for all migraineurs.
"Headache hygiene" – regular sleep, regular meals, regular exercise – is particularly important, Dr. Pearlman said.
"The migraine brain doesn’t like changes. It doesn’t like disruption in routine or getting stressed," he said, noting that such disruptions can trigger an attack.
Stress management is easier said than done, but biofeedback, acupuncture, and massage (for those with a lot of tightness in the neck and shoulder muscles) may be helpful, he said.
Dr. Pearlman is a member of the speakers bureau for Allergan.