If you suffer from migraine or frequent headaches, you may have noticed that changes in the weather seem to trigger your symptoms.
Hello, my name is Douglas and I’m a senior clinician at the Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic. Many of my patients report more headaches when a storm is approaching, when the temperature suddenly changes, or on particularly humid days.
But is there really a connection between weather and headaches, or is it just a coincidence?
In this blog, I’ll explain how weather can contribute to headaches, the symptoms to look out for, and how the Watson Headache Approach can help reduce weather-related migraine.
How Can Weather Trigger Migraine and Headaches?
Weather-related headaches and migraine are not just in your head—there’s real science behind them. Certain weather patterns can influence nervous system sensitivity, blood flow, and muscle tension, all of which contribute to headache development.
Here’s how:
- Barometric Pressure Changes
- Sudden changes in air pressure (often before storms) can affect sinus pressure and brainstem function, leading to headaches.
- A drop in barometric pressure can cause blood vessels to expand, potentially triggering a migraine.
- Temperature Fluctuations
- Hot and cold weather can alter vascular tone (how blood vessels expand and contract), influencing migraine triggers.
- Cold temperatures can cause muscle tension in the neck and shoulders, increasing headache risk.
- High Humidity
- Humidity can contribute to dehydration, a well-known migraine trigger.
- It also affects sinus congestion, leading to sinus-related headaches.
- Storms and Lightning
- Studies suggest that electrical activity in storms can increase migraine frequency. One study found that lightning exposure increased migraine risk by 30% in some individuals (Martin et al., 2013).
- Allergens and Air Quality
- Pollen, pollution, and changes in air quality can trigger sinus headaches and worsen migraine symptoms in sensitive individuals.
Symptoms of Weather-Related Migraine and Headaches
Weather-related headaches can mimic other types of headaches, making them hard to identify.
However, here are five common symptoms that may indicate a weather trigger:
- Throbbing or Pulsating Pain
- Often seen in migraine, this pain can range from moderate to severe and may worsen with movement.
- Increased Sensitivity to Light and Sound
- Bright sunlight, glare, or sudden light exposure can intensify migraine symptoms.
- Neck and Shoulder Tension
- Cold weather or barometric pressure changes can increase muscle tightness in the neck and shoulders, contributing to tension headaches.
- Sinus Pressure and Facial Pain
- Humid or stormy weather can trigger sinus headaches, leading to pain around the forehead, nose, and cheeks.
- Nausea and Fatigue
- Many people with weather-related migraines experience nausea, dizziness, or extreme fatigue before or during an episode.
How the Watson Headache Approach Can Help
The Watson Headache Approach is a specialised method that assesses and treats the upper cervical spine (C1-C3), which plays a significant role in migraine and headache sensitivity.
Many people with migraine have a sensitised brainstem, meaning their nervous system overreacts to triggers—including weather changes.
By addressing cervical spine dysfunction, the Watson Approach can help reduce the threshold for migraine triggers, making the nervous system more resilient to weather fluctuations.
Here’s how:
- Assessing Upper Cervical Spine Dysfunction
- Many migraine sufferers have restricted movement or tension in their upper neck without realising it.
- The Watson Approach pinpoints areas of dysfunction that could be contributing to brainstem hypersensitivity.
- Gentle Manual Therapy to Desensitise the Brainstem
- Specific techniques are used to restore mobility and reduce tension in the upper cervical joints.
- By calming the brainstem, the nervous system becomes less reactive to external triggers like weather changes.
- Relieving Muscle Tension
- Cold weather and barometric shifts often cause tight neck muscles, which can lead to tension headaches and cervicogenic migraine.
- Soft tissue techniques and targeted stretching help relieve this tension and improve blood flow.
- Improving Postural Stability
- Poor posture (especially forward head posture) can increase strain on the cervical spine and brainstem, making migraines worse.
- The Watson Approach includes postural correction exercises to reduce the mechanical strain contributing to headaches.
- Teaching Self-Management Strategies
- Many people feel helpless when the weather triggers a migraine.
- A physiotherapist trained in the Watson Approach can teach exercises, relaxation techniques, and ergonomic adjustments to help patients better manage their symptoms.
Other Strategies to Reduce Weather-Related Headaches
Alongside physiotherapy, there are lifestyle changes that can help minimise the impact of weather on your migraine:
- Stay Hydrated
- Dehydration increases migraine risk—aim for at least 2 litres of water per day.
- On hot or humid days, increase your fluid intake.
- Monitor Weather Patterns
- If you notice a link between specific weather conditions and your migraine, track forecasts to anticipate triggers.
- Plan ahead—reduce stress and hydrate more on high-risk days.
- Use Temperature Control
- Keep indoor environments at a comfortable, stable temperature to avoid extreme heat or cold.
- Use a humidifier in dry conditions or an air purifier if allergens trigger your headaches.
When to Seek Professional Help
If weather consistently triggers migraine or headaches that interfere with your daily life, seeking professional help is essential.
Consider seeing a physiotherapist trained in the Watson Approach if you experience:
- Frequent headaches that worsen with neck movement.
- Sensitivity to weather changes that cause migraine.
- Chronic muscle tightness in the neck and shoulders.
- Headaches that don’t improve with traditional treatments.
Final Thoughts
Weather can be a powerful trigger for migraine and headaches, but it doesn’t mean you have to suffer every time the forecast changes.
By addressing upper cervical spine dysfunction with the Watson Approach, strengthening your posture, and making simple lifestyle adjustments, you can build resilience against weather-related headaches.
If you’re struggling with persistent migraines, a physiotherapist trained in the Watson Approach can help identify underlying cervical issues and develop a personalised treatment plan to reduce your headache sensitivity.
Don’t let the weather control your migraine—take proactive steps today for long-term relief!
Written by:
References
Martin, V. T., et al. (2013). Lightning and its association with the frequency of headache in migraineurs. Cephalalgia, 33(5), 258-266.
Watson, D. H., & Drummond, P. D. (2016). Cervical spine dysfunction in headache and migraine: Targeting the brainstem with manual therapy. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 24(1), 1-7.
