Migraines with Aura: When Your Brain Sends a Warning Signal

What Is a Migraine Aura?

If you’ve ever noticed flashing lights, zigzag lines, or tingling sensations right before a migraine hits, you’ve experienced what’s called an aura.

A migraine with aura is a specific type of migraine that includes temporary neurological symptoms — usually lasting between 5 and 60 minutes — before or during the headache phase.

According to the American Headache Society, about one in three migraine sufferers experiences aura symptoms.

These symptoms are reversible, meaning they fade completely once the migraine resolves, but they can still feel unsettling — especially the first time they occur.

Common Aura Symptoms

Migraine aura can affect your vision, sensation, speech, or coordination. Common symptoms include:

• Visual changes: flashing or shimmering lights, blind spots, zigzag lines, or “heat wave” distortions

• Sensory symptoms: tingling or numbness in the face, lips, tongue, or hands

• Speech changes: trouble finding words or speaking clearly

• Motor or balance symptoms (rare): weakness on one side or dizziness

While aura symptoms can mimic more serious conditions like stroke, they typically develop gradually over several minutes and resolve completely.

If you experience new or sudden neurological symptoms, it’s always safest to seek medical attention immediately — even if you suspect it’s “just another migraine.”

What Causes Migraine Aura?

Migraine aura is caused by a temporary wave of electrical activity that moves across the brain’s surface — a phenomenon called cortical spreading depression.

As this wave passes, it briefly changes how nerve cells and blood vessels behave, leading to temporary visual or sensory symptoms.

You can think of it like a brief “power surge” in the brain’s wiring system — harmless, but enough to disrupt normal signals for a short period of time.

This process is influenced by genetics, hormones, stress, sleep, and environmental triggers. That’s why some people experience aura frequently, while others only occasionally.

Managing Migraines with Aura

Treatment for migraine with aura is similar to that for other types of migraine — but with a few important considerations.

At Vale Migraine & Wellness, we personalize each care plan to target both the neurological activity causing aura and the pain that follows.

Acute (Rescue) Treatments

Designed to stop an attack once symptoms begin:

• IV migraine cocktails – Gentle hydration with anti-nausea, anti-inflammatory, and calming agents to stop migraine progression.

• SPG blocks – A needle-free nasal treatment that helps calm overactive pain pathways in the brain and face.

• Acetaminophen, magnesium, and diphenhydramine (Benadryl) – Often used for safe, evidence-based relief.

• Reglan (metoclopramide) – Reduces nausea and helps restore normal brain signaling during attacks.

Preventive Treatments

Aimed at reducing how often migraines with aura occur:

• Botox® injections – FDA-approved to prevent chronic migraine by reducing nerve hyperactivity.

• Magnesium supplementation or infusions – Shown to decrease frequency and severity of migraine aura

• Lifestyle & trigger management – Identifying hormonal, dietary, and sleep-related patterns can significantly reduce attacks.

• CGRP inhibitors – Modern preventive medications that target the root chemical drivers of migraine, available when appropriate.

Living with Migraine Aura

While aura symptoms can feel frightening, understanding them can turn fear into empowerment. Most people with migraine aura can live full, active lives once they learn to recognize early warning signs and treat attacks promptly.

At Vale Migraine & Wellness, we combine clinical expertise with a restorative, spa-like environment so you can manage migraine without anxiety or disruption.

Our goal is to help you feel confident, in control, and supported every step of the way.

Clarity Begins Here

If you experience migraines with aura — or aren’t sure whether your symptoms fit that pattern — our team can help you find answers and relief.

Book a consultation today to receive a personalized migraine evaluation and treatment plan built around your life.

The Migraine Cocktail: Fast Relief When Nothing Else Works

If you’ve ever found yourself lying in a dark room, nauseated and desperate for relief as another migraine takes hold, you know how powerless it can feel. Over-the-counter pain relievers barely touch it. Even prescription medications sometimes take too long—or simply fail. That’s where a migraine cocktail can make all the difference.

At Vale Migraine & Wellness, we specialize in delivering this proven, evidence-based treatment in a calm, spa-like environment designed to restore comfort and control. Here’s what you need to know about what’s inside a migraine cocktail, why it works, and when it might be right for you.

What Is a Migraine Cocktail?

A migraine cocktail is a carefully balanced combination of medications that target multiple aspects of a migraine attack—pain, inflammation, nausea, and the chemical imbalances that drive the attack itself.
It’s not a “one-size-fits-all” formula; rather, it’s a protocol based on the same principles used in emergency departments across the country for severe migraines.

Intravenous (IV) therapy is often recommended for patients who fail oral medications or who have debilitating nausea or vomiting that prevents them from taking pills.

At Vale, our migraine cocktail is administered via a small IV line, typically taking about 30–45 minutes. Most patients begin to feel relief before the infusion is even complete.

What’s in the Cocktail?

While the exact formulation can vary depending on your symptoms and medical history, a typical IV migraine cocktail may include:

• Fluids – to correct dehydration and improve circulation of medications.

• Anti-nausea medication (e.g., metoclopramide or prochlorperazine) – to calm the stomach and reduce migraine-related nausea.

• NSAID (e.g., ketorolac) – a powerful anti-inflammatory medication that helps reduce pain and swelling in the brain’s blood vessels.

• Magnesium sulfate – a mineral that plays a key role in nerve function and is often low in migraine sufferers. Studies show magnesium can reduce both the severity and duration of attacks.

• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) – can prevent restlessness sometimes caused by other medications, while also providing a mild sedative effect to ease discomfort.

Our providers individualize each infusion based on your medical history, recent treatments, and symptom profile. That’s part of what makes Vale’s approach unique—we blend clinical precision with concierge-level personalization.

How Fast Does It Work?

Our experience shows that most patients report meaningful relief within 30 to 60 minutes. IV combinations like ketorolac, metoclopramide, and diphenhydramine lead to significant pain reduction in the majority of patients with acute migraine.

The beauty of the Vale approach is that you can receive this level of care without the noise, wait, or stress of an emergency room—and without being sent home with lingering symptoms.

Is It Safe?

Migraine cocktails are considered safe and effective when administered by trained medical professionals. All components are FDA-approved and have long been used in both hospitals and infusion centers.

At Vale, every treatment is overseen by experienced clinicians trained in acute migraine management. Our medical director, a board-certified emergency physician, has extensive expertise treating complex migraine cases and developing safe, evidence-based protocols.

Who Should Consider a Migraine Cocktail?

You may benefit from a migraine cocktail if you:

• Experience migraines that don’t respond to your usual medications

• Have nausea or vomiting that prevents you from taking oral medicine

• Need rapid relief to get back to work, travel, or family commitments

• Want to avoid the ER and receive care in a calm, private setting

For chronic migraine sufferers—those with more than 15 headache days per month—IV treatments can also be integrated into a broader prevention plan that includes Botox, trigger management, and lifestyle optimization.

The Vale Difference

At Vale Migraine & Wellness, we reimagine what migraine care should feel like—quiet, restorative, and centered around you. Our migraine cocktail treatments are delivered in a spa-inspired environment designed to soothe both the body and mind.

We also offer same-day consultations so that when a migraine strikes, help is never far away.

Fast Relief. Beautiful Space. Expert Care.

If you’ve ever thought, “I wish there were a better place to go when my migraine hits,” — now there is.

Book a same-day consultation or learn more about our Founder’s Club membership for exclusive pricing and priority access to Haven’s migraine treatments.

The Needle-Free SPG Block: Fast, Intranasal Migraine Relief

What Is an SPG Block?

An SPG block, short for sphenopalatine ganglion block, is a quick, gentle treatment that can stop a migraine at its source.
The sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) is a small bundle of nerves located deep in your nose, behind your sinuses. These nerves help control pain and blood flow in the head and face—and they play a major role in migraine attacks.

When the SPG becomes overactive, it can send pain signals that trigger migraine symptoms like throbbing head pain, nausea, light sensitivity, and tearing. By calming this nerve center, an SPG block helps the body “reset,” bringing fast relief.

Think of the SPG as a light switch for head pain. When a migraine starts, that switch gets stuck in the “on” position. The SPG block gently flips it back “off.”

During the procedure, a small, soft applicator (similar to a long cotton swab) or a tiny flexible catheter is placed just inside your nostril. A numbing medicine—usually lidocaine—is delivered to the area where the SPG lives. You may feel mild pressure or a cool sensation for a few seconds. Within minutes, the numbing medicine soaks into the nerve cluster and shuts down the pain signals that drive migraine symptoms.

That’s it—no needles, no IV, and no sedation needed.

What Are the Benefits?

SPG blocks are one of the few migraine treatments that offer rapid relief and can be performed safely in just a few minutes.

Here’s why so many patients love them:

• Needle-free: No injections or IVs—just a simple nasal application.

• Rapid relief: Many people notice improvement within 5–10 minutes.

• Safe and well-tolerated: The numbing medicine used (lidocaine) has been safely used in medicine for decades.

• Drug-free option: Ideal for those sensitive to migraine medications or looking to limit prescription use.

• Can be repeated as needed: Some patients benefit from occasional SPG blocks during flare-ups, while others include them in their preventive care plan.

SPG blocks can significantly reduce pain scores and shorten migraine duration for both acute and chronic migraine sufferers.

What to Expect During Treatment

Your Vale provider will have you lie comfortably while a small amount of numbing spray is applied to your nose. Then, using a soft, flexible applicator, the anesthetic is gently placed near the SPG.

The entire process takes about 5–10 minutes and feels similar to a saline rinse or nasal spray.

After a short rest period, you’ll be ready to go about your day—no downtime required. Some people experience mild throat numbness or a bitter taste for a few minutes, but these effects fade quickly.

Why Choose Vale for SPG Blocks

At Vale Migraine & Wellness, every SPG block is performed in a calming environment—a far cry from the bright lights and chaos of a hospital setting.

Our clinicians follow evidence-based protocols and customize each treatment to your individual migraine pattern and comfort level.

Whether you’re seeking rapid rescue during an attack or exploring alternatives to medication, an SPG block can be a safe, elegant solution for migraine relief.

Calm Your Migraine—Without a Needle

If you’ve ever wished for migraine relief that’s gentle, fast, and medication-sparing, SPG blocks may be right for you.

Book a same-day consultation to learn whether you’re a candidate for this safe, needle-free migraine treatment.

Migraine Relief in Pregnancy: What’s Safe - and What Actually Works

When Migraine Meets Motherhood

Pregnancy is an incredible journey—but for women with migraines, it can also bring unique challenges.
While some lucky patients see their migraines improve during pregnancy, many continue to experience debilitating headaches—especially during the first and third trimesters.

The hard part? Most prescription migraine medications aren’t considered safe for use during pregnancy. That leaves many expecting mothers wondering: What can I actually do when a migraine hits?

At Vale Migraine & Wellness, we specialize in safe, drug-sparing treatments that help pregnant patients find relief without putting their baby at risk. Below are five treatments that are both effective and considered safe during pregnancy, according to leading medical authorities.

IV Fluids for Hydration and Circulation

Dehydration is one of the most common migraine triggers—and pregnancy increases your body’s fluid needs. Gentle IV hydration therapy can quickly restore balance and improve circulation, helping to reduce headache intensity.

Fluids are especially helpful if nausea or vomiting has made it difficult to stay hydrated. At Haven, IV fluids can be paired with other safe ingredients like magnesium or vitamin B complex, depending on your provider’s recommendations.

Magnesium: Nature’s Nerve Calmer

Magnesium is an essential mineral that helps regulate nerve activity and blood vessel tone—two major players in migraine attacks.

Pregnancy-safe and often low in migraine sufferers, magnesium infusions can help calm overactive nerves and reduce headache frequency. Studies suggest that magnesium sulfate given intravenously may help shorten migraine attacks, particularly in women prone to aura.³

Many obstetricians even recommend magnesium supplements during pregnancy for muscle cramps and blood pressure control, making it a gentle, multipurpose option.

SPG Block: Needle-Free, Drug-Free Relief

A sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) block is one of the most elegant and safe migraine treatments during pregnancy.

It works by applying a small amount of numbing medicine (usually lidocaine) to a nerve cluster deep in the nasal cavity that helps regulate pain and blood vessel dilation in the head. The treatment is completely needle-free, takes just a few minutes, and provides relief by quieting overactive pain signals—without systemic medication exposure.

Because the numbing agent stays local and doesn’t travel through the bloodstream, SPG blocks are widely regarded as safe for pregnancy when performed by a qualified clinician.

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl): Gentle Sedation for Rest and Relief

Diphenhydramine, commonly known as Benadryl, can be a surprisingly effective migraine rescue option in pregnancy. It helps reduce the sensory overload that often accompanies migraines and provides mild sedation to help you rest while the migraine passes.

As a Class B medication, diphenhydramine has no evidence of risk to the fetus in animal studies. Some providers combine it with fluids and magnesium in an IV setting for compounded relief.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol): The Safest Pain Reliever

When it comes to over-the-counter options, acetaminophen remains the go-to for pregnant patients. ACOG lists it as the preferred pain medicine in pregnancy for both headache and general pain.

While it may not stop severe migraines on its own, acetaminophen can be part of a multi-pronged approach—especially when combined with hydration, magnesium, or an SPG block.

Metoclopramide (Reglan): Calming Nausea and Migraine Together

Metoclopramide (Reglan) is another treatment option that can safely relieve migraine-related nausea—and even help with the migraine pain itself.

It works by blocking dopamine receptors involved in nausea, vomiting, and pain signaling. The American Headache Society notes that metoclopramide is often used in emergency departments as part of a standard migraine treatment protocol, and the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists lists it as an acceptable option during pregnancy for nausea and vomiting.

When used as part of an IV “migraine cocktail” (often with fluids, magnesium, and diphenhydramine), Reglan can provide meaningful relief while remaining pregnancy-safe under medical supervision.

Personalized Migraine Care for Expecting Mothers

Every pregnancy is different, and so is every migraine. At Vale Migraine & Wellness, our expert clinicians tailor each treatment to your specific symptoms and stage of pregnancy.

Our environment is calm, restorative, and designed to make you feel cared for—not rushed. Whether you’re seeking preventive strategies or acute relief, our team can safely help you manage migraines throughout your pregnancy journey.

Safe. Soothing. Supported.

You deserve migraine relief that’s as safe as it is effective.

Let our experienced clinicians guide you through pregnancy-safe treatment options that bring comfort and confidence.

Book a consultation today to discuss a customized migraine plan designed for you and your baby.

Living With Chronic Migraine: Understanding the Condition and Finding Real Relief

When Migraine Becomes a Constant Companion

For many people, migraines are an occasional disruption. But for others, they become a near-constant shadow — showing up week after week, often without warning.

If you experience head pain, nausea, light or sound sensitivity, and fatigue on more days than not, you may be living with chronic migraine — a condition that affects an estimated 4 million Americans according to the American Migraine Foundation.

By definition, chronic migraine means having 15 or more headache days per month for at least three months, with at least 8 of those days showing typical migraine features (like pulsating pain, nausea, or sensitivity to light).

But beyond the numbers, chronic migraine can quietly reshape every aspect of life.

The Toll on Quality of Life

Chronic migraine is more than a headache — it’s a cycle that affects your work, relationships, sleep, and emotional well-being.

Many of our patients describe living in a state of constant uncertainty:

“Will I be able to attend my meeting today?”
“Can I drive my kids to school if the pain starts again?”

The emotional toll is real. Studies show that people with chronic migraine are five times more likely to experience anxiety or depression.³ Constant pain and unpredictability can lead to missed workdays, reduced social engagement, and feelings of isolation.

At Vale, we understand that chronic migraine isn’t just about managing pain — it’s about restoring your quality of life and sense of control.

Why Chronic Migraine Happens

Migraine is a neurological disorder, not just a vascular or stress-related problem. It involves changes in brain chemistry, nerve sensitivity, and blood vessel behavior.

In chronic migraine, the brain’s pain-processing system becomes sensitized, meaning even normal stimuli (light, sound, hormones, or stress) can trigger attacks. This “overactive” state often develops after months or years of frequent migraine attacks that were never fully broken or prevented.

The good news: the brain’s sensitivity can be reduced with consistent, evidence-based treatment.

Treatment Options for Chronic Migraine

At Vale Migraine & Wellness, we offer a full spectrum of treatment options — each tailored to your specific migraine pattern, triggers, and lifestyle. Our approach combines medical expertise with a restorative, calming setting to make your care both effective and calming.

1. Preventive Therapies (Long-Term Control)

The goal of preventive care is to reduce how often migraines occur and how severe they are. Options may include:

• Botox® injections – FDA-approved for chronic migraine, given every 12 weeks to reduce attack frequency.

• Magnesium and vitamin infusions – Correct nutrient imbalances that may contribute to migraine sensitivity.

• Lifestyle and trigger coaching – Identify patterns related to sleep, hydration, hormones, and stress.

• Prescription preventives – CGRP inhibitors or beta-blockers (when appropriate and safe).

Acute and Rescue Therapies (Stopping the Attack)

When a migraine does break through, fast and effective relief matters. At Haven, we offer:

• IV migraine cocktails – A proven combination of fluids, anti-nausea medication, magnesium, and anti-inflammatory agents to calm the attack quickly.

• SPG blocks (sphenopalatine ganglion blocks) – A needle-free nasal treatment that quiets pain signals at their source.

• Safe medications – Such as metoclopramide (Reglan), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or acetaminophen, depending on patient needs and safety.

Many patients find combining preventive and acute treatments transforms their quality of life — reducing both the number and intensity of attacks.

The Haven Approach

Our care philosophy is simple: you deserve comfort, control, and compassion.

At Vale Migraine & Wellness, every visit feels restorative — from the spa-inspired design of our clinic to the personalized care plans developed by experienced clinicians specializing in migraine medicine.

We see our patients as partners in care, not just cases to manage. Whether you’re starting your migraine journey or have tried everything else, we’ll meet you where you are — and help you take back your life.

You Deserve a Life Beyond Migraine

Chronic migraine may be part of your story, but it doesn’t have to define it.

With modern, evidence-based care and a supportive environment, lasting relief is possible.

Book a consultation with Vale Migraine & Wellness to create your personalized migraine treatment plan — and start living with clarity and confidence again.