Anyone who has ever suffered a migraine headache will tell you that it's no pleasant experience. At times the pain can be so excruciating that some liken it to a hatchet splitting the head open. The causes for a migraine are many with the most common attributable to hormonal fluctuations. For many who seek natural pain relief, drug therapies are not an option.

Migraine literally means "half the head", but many sufferers report pain over the entire head, which begins with the contraction of blood vessels followed by dilation. During this phase, sufferers sometimes experience spots in front of the eyes, difficulty concentrating, cold fingertips, and sometimes what is called an "aura", or halo effect around objects. The pain, or phase two, begins when the blood vessels continue dilating much wider than normal. At the same time, swelling of the brain, muscle tension and chemical release all add to the discomfort.

Much research has gone into the migraine experience, but unfortunately there is no one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one, often does not work for another and sometimes can make the pain worse, depending on which hormones are involved, and at what stage the treatment begins.

"Migraine pain can be one of the most acutely debilitating conditions," says Judy Cutler, a well-known nutritionist in Southern California and developer of 'Naturally Painless' natural spray-on pain remedy. "According to one health care study, the average migraine sufferer loses up to 19.5 days annually, and those that do work with a migraine headache, do so with dramatically reduced job effectiveness. Why suffer if there are effective natural pain remedies available?"

Many patients are finding significant relief in from a natural pain spray, like "Naturally Painless". Dr. S. Patel, a holistic medical doctor in N.Y.C has found that if Naturally Painless is sprayed onto the back of the head and the neck at the onset of the migraine, when the warning symptoms begin, the full blown migraine can be averted.

In addition to using a natural pain remedy, once the pain begins, many nutritionists and holistic healers recommend the following suggestions for preventing migraines:

* Avoid refined sugar

* Eat a wholesome balanced diet of natural foods including fresh fruit, not dried or cooked

* Eat every three hours

* Employ relaxation techniques when you feel stress coming on

* Avoid drinking alcohol

* Avoid drugs that stimulate the pancreas, such as aspirin

* A tailored vitamin and supplement regimen can also be a great preventative therapy for migraines