Migraine is a disabling neurovascular condition affecting millions of people worldwide. Migraine treatments typically include pain-relief medications and preventive medicines; however, alternative therapies may help decrease migraine episodes as well.
Therapies that utilize noninvasive techniques and are evidence-based are known as complementary and alternative medicine therapies (CAM).
Biofeedback
Individuals unable to find relief for migraine pain with medication alone, or who have a medical condition that prevents them from taking certain types of medicines, may benefit from biofeedback training – an alternative therapy which may also be combined with psychotherapy (talk therapy).
Sensors placed on your body measure changes in breathing, heart rate, muscle tension or sweat production and display these signals on a video screen for display and feedback purposes. You are then taught how to control these physiological processes to manage stress more effectively which can reduce migraine triggers.
Acupuncture and relaxation training may also help relieve migraine pain. Both treatments can be performed either independently or under professional guidance; studies indicate that acupuncture helps decrease migraine frequency. Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the skin for treatment purposes while relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga have been linked with decreased stress levels.
Mindfulness practices
Mindfulness practices can help the mind relax and fully immerse itself into the present moment. Mindfulness techniques have been shown to reduce stress, anxiety and depression while simultaneously improving sleep, decreasing migraine pain and activating the parasympathetic nervous system – yet these practices take time and commitment.
To practice mindfulness, focus on your breathing and sensing the sensations in the present moment. If your mind wanders off topic, simply acknowledge it and return your focus back onto breathing. If a negative thought arises, let it go of its grip by simply not dwelling on it further.
Some clinical studies indicate that mindfulness may reduce both frequency and severity of migraine attacks. It’s essential to discuss alternative therapies with your healthcare provider to make sure they’re safe for you.
Yoga
Migraine headaches are typically brought on by stress, and holistic treatments like acupuncture and massage may help ease their discomfort and tension. Massage involves massaging pressure points across the body while acupuncture involves stimulating them with needles – both have proven successful at decreasing migraine headaches.
Acupuncture works by harnessing natural healing energy, known as “chi”, within the body and channeling it along pathways known as meridians. If there is an imbalance of this chi energy it could result in illness and serious consequences.
Alternative treatments that may prove helpful include acupressure and reflexology. Acupuncture helps ease muscle tension, which has proven useful in relieving migraine symptoms. Reflexology utilizes pressure applied to certain points on the foot in order to alleviate discomfort in other parts of the body.
Others herbs that can help with migraines include chamomile, feverfew, rhubarb and boswellia. Many find that applying rosemary oil directly to their skin relieves headaches as well as other related problems like indigestion, stomach upset and insomnia.
Green light therapy
Green light has been linked with numerous health benefits, including skin health and anti-ageing benefits, pain relief and improved sleep. Furthermore, it has even been used as an aid against anxiety disorders, fibromyalgia symptoms and chronic muscle pain conditions such as osteoarthritis.
Researchers have recently found that those suffering from migraine can experience reduced photophobia and headache intensity when exposed to specific frequency green lights. The specific frequency stimulates production of endorphins – natural painkillers with differing receptor responses than opioids.
Study results published in 2020 revealed that patients suffering from migraine and fibromyalgia who spent two hours per day near a narrow-band green light lamp experienced significant reductions of both photophobia and headache intensity. Researchers also noticed improvements in quality of life and pain medication usage with no reported side effects – this treatment being likened to natural versions of Japanese practices like “shinrin-yoku,” or forest bathing, where you soak in your surroundings to ease stress.
