According to the National Headache Foundation, more than 21 million women suffer from migraines with 50 percent reporting that their headaches started before the age of 20. But when both parents share a history of migraines, there is a 70 percent chance that their children too will be plagued with this often debilitating chronic sickness.

Girls and boys have similar migraine patterns until the age of puberty, said Dr. Anna Foster of Children’s Hospital Boston. Then rate of migraine incidence is doubled, leaving adolescent girls with a 2:1 chance of developing migraines. The female sex hormone estrogen is being studied extensively within migraine research as the culprit of this difference between boys and girls. Yet, with today’s advances in biofeedback, therapy, and the myriad of drug trials for migraine sufferers out there, suffering from migraines doesn’t have to be as painful as many parents may remember.

Doctors have the additional advantage of utilizing moms and dads as additional resources, providing insight into the world that migraines sufferers live in. The National Headache Foundation has reported that since similar migraine experiences and patterns are being seen with mother and daughter migraine sufferers, mothers may be able to offer not only advice but have a much deeper understanding into their children’s “growing pains.”

The Foundation’s “Migraine Million” fundraiser this year seeks to address the often misunderstood effects on everyday life that migraines have. From medical bills to effects on relationships, awareness surrounding sufferers is important step on the way to educating the public as well as assuring those that do, they are not alone.

“Our goal is for one million of the nearly 30 million people with migraine to donate $1 each toward headache education and research,” said Suzanne Simons, executive director of the National Headache Foundation. So instead of giving mom a headache this year, show your support for her in a different way.

Whether, you acknowledge that laugh or nose, well, that’s up to you.

You can contribute by visiting the foundation’s website at headaches.org or by calling 888-NHF-5552. You can even have an acknowledgment of the donation that can be emailed to mom, or printed and included in a card.

Whether it’s desperately scanning the local card stores hoping Hallmark can provide the sentiments you wish you could express or scanning the décolletage of female strangers because you failed to learn your sweetheart’s bra size, Valentine’s Day becomes a gift giving ordeal for even the smartest men.

Before you place 1-800-FLOWERS on speed dial, look no further than Thai Bodywork and Chuck Duff for a fresh, novel technique in massage therapy that is sure to score even the biggest procrastinator major points. Whether you’re aiming to provide your sweetheart a low key, romantic evening in or an unforgettable rendezvous, these ancient techniques from Buddist and Indian cultures combine pressure point massage and well-known yoga techniques while focusing on constant contact and maintaining rhythmic compressions on the partner’s body.

The masseur focuses on sensual, gentle pressure using fingertips, palms, elbows and feet to provide a continual relaxing massage that is a great alternative to the traditional prone position. The constant eye contact provides a level of intimacy missing from western massage. Thai Massage encourages flexibility, tranquility and well as relaxation for both parties. Thai massage is a great alternative to traditional methods most couples reluctantly adopt. The “Flow Technique” is especially sensual part of Thai massage and consists of ginger, soft movements across the entirety of a partners body using only the fingertips. Tai Massage techniques are available online as well at all major bookstores for more in depth descriptions and photographs of the major techniques.

This Valentine’s save your dignity, your gift-giving angst and your bank account while you look to Buddha for the way to put the sparkle back in your partner’s eye.