Updated: July 28 ,2025
Summary: Seasonal migraines are headaches triggered by weather changes, barometric pressure shifts, and seasonal factors like temperature fluctuations, humidity, and allergens. They can be managed through lifestyle modifications, physical therapy, and understanding your specific triggers.
What are seasonal migraines?
A seasonal migraine is a headache triggered by weather changes and atmospheric pressure shifts. While not an official medical term, seasonal migraines describe headaches that occur predictably during weather transitions, similar to how seasonal allergies affect some people.
These headaches are primarily caused by changes in barometric (atmospheric) pressure that disrupt the air equilibrium in your sinuses, triggering pain. The condition affects many people during seasonal transitions when weather patterns shift dramatically.
When do seasonal migraines occur most frequently?
In Alberta, seasonal migraines peak during October-November and January-February due to dramatic temperature fluctuations during these periods.
The worst months for seasonal headaches are:
- End of warm weather: October and November
- Coldest months: January and February
Alberta’s unpredictable weather patterns make it challenging to predict exactly when seasonal migraines will strike, but monitoring weather forecasts for dramatic temperature changes can help sufferers prepare for potential migraine episodes.
What causes seasonal migraines?
1. Increased tension
Increased tension can lead to headaches, and this becomes more common as the weather changes. With colder weather, people tend to tense more quickly to protect themselves from the elements. They will shrug their shoulders, pull their heads down, and bend forward.
This change in posture puts more strain on the neck and shoulders. The tension in the neck muscles and poor positioning of the neck joints can lead to headaches.
2. Too many indoor activities
Indoor activities, such as reading, watching TV or spending more time on their devices can also put extra stress on the body and lead to tension headaches. As the weather gets colder, people spend more time indoors. This can lead to eye strain or other strain on the neck or upper back from sitting for extended periods of time with less than ideal posture, which in turn can cause tension.
3. Dehydration
People are surprisingly more likely to become dehydrated in the colder months. When it gets cold, we tend not to drink as much water, and inadequate hydration can cause headaches or trigger migraines.
Similarly, this can also be a problem during spikes of hot weather if we aren’t able to consume enough water.
4. Dramatic changes in temperature
Like we mentioned above, a drop in temperature can upset the barometric pressure in your sinuses and trigger a headache or migraine. However, migraines and headaches can be caused by any change in pressure, which means a spike in temperature could be just as troublesome.
5. Humidity levels
It can be hard to pinpoint exactly why humidity causes migraines and headaches. Too much moisture in the air can reduce oxygen levels, causing blood vessels to expand or contract, and potentially compress nerve fibres. A lack of moisture in the air can dry out sinuses or result in dehydration. These may be some of the factors linking humidity to migraines and headaches.
6. Air pressure
As we’ve shared above, any change in air pressure can be troublesome for people prone to migraines or headaches! A change in atmospheric air pressure can lead to an imbalance in pressure within your inner ear or sinuses triggering migraines or headaches.
7. Allergies
Being exposed to allergens triggers your immune system which can cause inflammation throughout your body. This inflammation helps explain why an allergic reaction would result in seasonal migraines and headaches.
8. Wind
Wind can blow dust, particles, and allergens into your sinuses. This can cause an allergic reaction, or simply irritate the sinus membranes – both of which can be migraine triggers.
9. Sunlight or glare
There is a neural pathway between your eye and the brain that becomes activated when exposed to light. Having a light sensitivity, or being exposed to increased or prolonged light, leads to hyperactivity in the brain and, you guessed it, a migraine. It’s a good idea to keep a pair of sunglasses around to help with this.
10. Diet
Taking a close look at your diet may help you identify any food triggers. Some common food and drinks to watch out for are:
- Chocolate
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Cultured dairy products
- Soy products
- Artificial sweeteners
- Foods containing MSG
- Processed foods
- Pickled or fermented foods
- Frozen foods
If you develop any head pain or discomfort after eating or drinking, you should make a note of it as it may be one of your triggers.
11. Change of sleep patterns
Not sleeping enough disrupts your body’s protein levels which can play a role in the development of a migraine. However, you also don’t want to sleep too much! Oversleeping alters neurotransmitters (such as serotonin) in the brain which can also lead to a headache or migraine.
12. Holiday stress
As the weather gets cooler in Alberta, we begin to see more holidays (e.g. Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc). Holiday shopping and plans can cause unwanted or increased stress resulting in migraines or headaches.
How to prevent seasonal migraines
Identify Your Personal Triggers
The most effective prevention strategy is understanding your specific triggers. Use a migraine tracking app like Migraine Buddy to record:
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Weather conditions during migraine episodes
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Dietary changes on migraine days
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Activity levels and sleep patterns
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Stress levels and seasonal factors
Manage Controllable Triggers
While you cannot control weather and air pressure, you can manage:
- Hydration levels: Maintain consistent water intake
- Sleep patterns: Keep regular sleep schedule
- Diet: Avoid known food triggers
- Stress levels: Practice stress management techniques
- Posture: Maintain proper positioning during indoor activities
Use Preventive Medications
Work with healthcare providers to determine if prescription preventive medications are appropriate for your seasonal migraine pattern.
Treatment Options for Seasonal Migraines
Seasonal migraine prevention will look different for every single individual. It entirely depends on knowing and understanding your triggers and trying out different methods to help you manage the volume and intensity of your migraines or headaches.
If you’re looking for non-medication-related prevention methods to try, we recommend massage therapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, and intramuscular stimulation.
Physiotherapy for Seasonal Migraines
Physiotherapy targets the root causes of seasonal migraines through movement correction and muscle rebalancing.
Physiotherapy treatment includes:
- Postural assessment and correction to reduce neck and shoulder strain
- Joint mobilization to restore normal cervical spine movement
- Muscle strengthening exercises for deep neck stabilizers
- Movement pattern retraining to prevent tension buildup
- Ergonomic education for prolonged indoor activities
- Home exercise programs tailored to your specific triggers
Research shows that physiotherapy can reduce migraine frequency by up to 50% when combined with trigger management.
Massage Therapy for Migraine Relief
Therapeutic massage addresses muscle tension and circulation issues that contribute to seasonal headaches.
Massage therapy benefits include:
- Trigger point release in neck, shoulders, and jaw muscles
- Improved blood circulation to reduce pressure sensitivity
- Stress hormone reduction through parasympathetic nervous system activation
- Sleep quality improvement by reducing pain and tension
- Fascial release to address deep tissue restrictions
Sessions typically last 60-90 minutes and may require 4-6 treatments initially, followed by maintenance care during peak migraine seasons.
Acupuncture and Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS)
Acupuncture and IMS provide neurological reset and muscle tension release for migraine sufferers.
These treatments target:
- Sinus pressure relief through specific acupuncture points
- Nervous system regulation to reduce migraine sensitivity
- Muscle tension release via dry needling techniques
- Allergy and immune system support during seasonal transitions
- Pain gate mechanism activation for immediate relief
Treatment frequency varies but typically involves weekly sessions during peak seasons with monthly maintenance.
Integrated Treatment Approach
The most effective seasonal migraine management combines multiple treatment modalities.
Our comprehensive approach includes:
- Initial assessment to identify your specific triggers and patterns
- Customized treatment plan combining physiotherapy, massage, and acupuncture
- Lifestyle modification guidance for trigger management
- Exercise prescription for long-term prevention
- Seasonal preparation strategies before weather transitions
Learn more about our specialized headache and migraine relief services →
When to Seek Professional Help
Contact a healthcare provider if:
- Seasonal migraines significantly impact daily activities
- Over-the-counter medications are ineffective
- Migraines increase in frequency or severity
- New symptoms accompany your headaches
Professional treatment options include massage therapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, and medical evaluation for preventive medications.
Need help managing seasonal migraines or headaches?
If you have any specific seasonal migraine or headache concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us or bring it up at your next appointment — book today!
Note: New clients are always welcome, and a doctor’s referral isn’t needed.