Migrastick
I have a huge problem with headaches. I actually take propranalol daily because of them and this stops them for the most part, however, I still get some what they call 'breakthrough' headaches. Although I have always got plenty of ibuprofen and paracetamol in the house for when I need them, I do like to try and avoid taking more tablets than I need and so I also keep things around such as this migrastick.

What is Migrastick?
A small rollerball glass container that looks a bit like a very small pocket perfume stick. It contains a combination of natural ingredients that when rubbed onto certain pulse points help to ease headaches.

How do you use Migrastick?
basically it's dead simple. Remove the lid, place the rollerball against your temples, centre of your forehead and back of the neck and in each location roll it round three times to release a small amount of the contents onto your skin. Sit back, relax and take in the lovely relaxing smell of this.

Where do I get it?
Boots, Holland & Barratt and a few other places sell this. I've even seen it in the larger supermarkets that have their own in store chemists. It generally costs around £5-7 and that does seem quite a lot for such a small container, but the thing lasts for AGES so it's not really that much in the long run.

Does it work?
Well sometimes is the simple answer - for me anyway. It's certainly not an unpleasant thing to use and feels nice and cooling on the skin and leaves you smelling lots of really nice smells of peppermint and lavender and things. Meanwhile the essential oils are getting into the skin and doing their thing - don't ask me how, I don't get it, I just know they do - and helping relieve the tension and pain. I guess being a chronic headache sufferer it's never going to work entirely all the time - painkillers don't work all the time either for me - but it definitely helps and I find it a worthwhile thing to try.

Why do I like this?
Well it's natural! It's a mixture of mint oil and lavender with a little isopropyl myristate as a carrier. It smells lovely and it does help relieve tension - in fact even if I don't have a headache, I sometimes use this when I'm feeling very tense as I find it helps to relax me so that I am less likely to get a headache. If it does work it stops me having to put too many pills in my system, and if it doesn't work entirely well its still relaxing and that helps when you have a headache.

Do I recommend this?
Yes - as long as you aren't allergic to any of the three ingredients, are an adult, not epileptic, or pregnant then, I'd recommend giving this a go. After all, it doesn't cost THAT much - less than a fancy coffee and cake - and it lasts ages and is quite small enough to stick in your handbag, pocket or drawer and have there 'in case'.