If you have ever suffered from a migraine, then you know first-hand how awful and debilitating
they can be. When a migraine strikes, it can be impossible to even get out of bed, eat, or talk.
Migraine sufferers have been searching for years for the best methods to relieve their pain, and
many want to do so without taking all sorts of medications that are toxic for the body and can
make you become dependent on them. Most people want natural pain relief for a number of
reasons, some of which include aversion to side effects from some prescription medications,
safety concerns for children and women of child-bearing age, and high deductible insurance
plans. Even if your doctor isn’t aware of all the Complementary and Alternative Medicine
therapies for migraines and headaches, several options have relatively strong evidence for
effectiveness. You may want to share these with your doctor and see if they’re right for you.
Below are several herbal preparations, therapies, and life changes that you can try to help
relieve your migraines naturally:
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): A vitamin with moderate evidence for Migraine prevention. Top
headache specialist Richard B. Lipton MD called this the “great free swing” because it’s
very affordable and safe.
Magnesium: A mineral with moderate evidence for Migraine prevention, recommended
in oral form as a preventive supplement. Magnesium can also be absorbed through the
skin in an Epsom Salt bath or as a topical cream or ointment. Some hospitals also
administer IV magnesium for migraine emergencies.
Feverfew (MIG-99): An herb with moderate evidence for Migraine prevention. It’s
available in liquid, tea and capsule form, taken daily or at the first sign of an attack.
Chiropractic Manipulation: Until recently, little research supported the use of
Chiropractic techniques to move, stretch and manipulate the spine. Yet many people
who see chiropractors for Migraine prevention swear by their results.
Get a grip on your stress. Stress is one of the biggest triggers for migraine pain. So aim
to boost calm in your life. Un-busy your schedule where you can, but make time for
things you enjoy. If you stay stressed during the work week and relax only on the
weekend, the shift can bring on migraines too.
Ginger: This Asian plant is often ingested to reduce nausea in supplement or tea form.
One study even indicated that ginger was as effective as sumatriptan to abort a
migraine attack, without any adverse effects.
Cold Therapy: From wearable ice packs and headache hats to machines that circulate
ice-cold liquid through wearable pads, ice and cold are the most popular form is an
incredibly effective, economic and reusable form of acute self-care for many.
Menthol and Mint: The cooling sensation from topical menthol rubs is comforting to
many people in the early stages of a migraine attack. In the past decade, four positive
studies have examined the use of the herb peppermint and its active ingredient menthol
for Migraine. It can be inhaled, applied or ingested to abort a migraine attack.
Daith Piercing: tiny puncture of the upper ear cartilage is the latest drug-free therapy
many have tried to prevent migraine attacks with mixed results. It has not been
reviewed by the FDA for safety and has no clinical trials. Reports of injection site
infection are not uncommon.
Acupuncture and Acupressure: Acupuncture, the ancient Chinese medicine practice of
inserting needles along key meridians has been used for migraine prevention. A recent
meta-analysis indicated acupuncture produced a 50% reduction in attack frequency – as
good or better than most prescription therapies. Acupressure works in a similar way,
with at least eight identified pressure points to abort an attack.
If you want more options for your migraines you can also look into the Migraine Word Summit.
Each year, the Migraine World Summit team updates its Migraine Treatment Directory, with
over 200 medical and non-medical, alternative treatments used by people in the community.
Because many alternative and complementary therapies aren’t FDA-regulated, it’s wise to
proceed with caution before investing your time and money in any new therapy. Even if your
doctor doesn’t suggest them, it’s important to discuss any new preventative or abortive
therapies with your doctor or chiropractor first.
There is always hope when you suffer from migraines, and you don’t have to take medication
that can harm your body or cause terrible side effects. For more information on what a
chiropractor can do to help treat your migraines or techniques they can use to help you please
call Dr. Duncan today with Duncan Chiropractic!