An increasing trend in medicine is emphasizing holistic approaches as treatments for many conditions, including migraine. Although evidence does not support them as primary migraine remedies, holistic remedies may still offer relief to some individuals.
These natural therapies focus on treating the whole person by relieving stress, improving sleep habits and making dietary adjustments that could potentially help manage trigger foods or factors that lead to migraine development.
Acupuncture
Migraines are intense throbbing headaches often characterized by nausea, vomiting and light/sound sensitivity. Migraines may be caused by various factors including stress, diet and hormonal fluctuations.
Acupuncture is an ancient practice of inserting needles at specific points on the body to promote healing and enhance overall health. Acupuncture needles release natural painkillers into the system while simultaneously decreasing cortisol levels – a stress hormone known to trigger migraine attacks.
Acupuncture promotes blood flow and oxygenation, helping ease migraine-induced headaches by providing better blood flow and oxygenation. Furthermore, it may be used as preventive therapy to decrease frequency and severity. While medication may be effective at relieving migraine symptoms for some individuals, others prefer natural approaches which don’t pose side effects such as Acupuncture.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback is a mind-body technique designed to teach individuals to master their autonomic nervous system’s reactions to stress. Electrical sensors monitor physiological processes that change with stress such as blood pressure and muscle tension and then relay this information back via visual or auditory cues on a computer screen.
Biofeedback seeks to teach patients new skills by practicing them during sessions using equipment, and then helping them practice them without it, leading to self-regulation of those functions. Studies indicate that biofeedback can reduce migraine headaches as well as anxiety and other disorders exacerbated by stress.
Integrative treatments may be beneficial to some migraine sufferers; it’s important to keep in mind that these therapies should only be utilized as part of an overall plan outlined by your healthcare provider. A 2021 study discovered that virtual heart rate variability biofeedback could help decrease episodes of episodic migraine.
Meditation
Meditation is a type of mind-body practice in which practitioners sit comfortably and focus their attention on breathing. If thoughts arise during this practice, simply note them and return your focus back onto breathing.
Researchers have demonstrated how meditation can reduce a person’s reactivity to stress, which can often trigger migraines. Meditation also improves pain tolerance while helping individuals learn how to control rumination and pain catastrophizing, two common triggers for migraines.
Studies of 92 meditation-naive participants, where individuals were randomly assigned one of four groups: spiritual meditation, internally focused secular meditation, progressive muscle relaxation or a control group. Participants practiced their assigned technique daily for 30 days while reporting migraine frequency, severity and analgesic medication use; spiritual meditation group showed lower overall analgesic usage as a response to migraine headaches than the others after accounting for headache frequency.
Yoga
yoga may come across as simply another physical practice, but its spiritual practices offer much more. Studies have demonstrated how yoga can reduce stress and consequently lessen migraine symptoms.
Meditation and breathing exercises are also included as effective techniques to relax before bedtime, improving quality sleep that may prevent migraine attacks.
Also beneficial are mind/body treatments like acupuncture, acupressure, massage therapy and yoga, which may ease anxiety and depression common among chronic migraine sufferers. Before exploring such alternatives on your own, however, always consult your physician first so they can ensure it’s safe for you as well as discuss any side effects or other considerations associated with them.
Diet
Migraine sufferers can find relief in eating foods that support migraine relief, like fruits and vegetables, while caffeine should also be avoided to minimize migraine triggers.
Regular physical activity is an effective way to both alleviate headaches and lower stress. Aim to incorporate at least thirty minutes of physical activity five days per week into your schedule for maximum benefits.
Massage can be an effective holistic method for managing migraine pain. Massage has been shown to reduce tension, anxiety and help people sleep more soundly; according to one 2022 study from Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies patients who received connective-tissue massage reported decreased migraine-related symptoms as well as medication usage.
An integrative approach to migraine treatment encompasses various elements that could influence its severity or frequency, and Dr. Mingus stands out among physical therapists with this special methodology in his field of migraine management.
