Traditional migraine treatments include medication and self-care strategies such as exercise, avoiding foods and beverages known to trigger headaches and practicing relaxation techniques.
As well as taking medications that have proven successful at relieving migraine pain, other therapies with growing evidence include acupuncture, the Cefaly device, butterbur, riboflavin and coenzyme Q10. Yoga classes that focus on breathing and posture may also provide some relief.
Acupuncture
Migraines can cause disabling symptoms that keep you bedridden and unable to work or spend time with loved ones. There may be alternative therapies that offer relief; it’s wise to discuss this option with your physician first before trying them.
Acupuncture may help decrease migraine frequency and lessen their intensity, making it an excellent alternative to prescription medication for treating headaches.
Pressure points help relieve migraine pain by releasing natural chemicals from within your body that relieve stress and tension, such as acupressure and acupuncture treatments used to locate specific points on ears, hands, face and feet.
Preventing migraines through herbal or supplement therapies may also be effective, with feverfew being shown effective by several studies; other herbs like butterbur may cause potentially life-threatening side effects (hepatotoxicity), so always consult with a healthcare provider prior to trying these remedies. Behavioral therapy may also be helpful; teaching relaxation techniques to use before an attack starts can reduce migraine frequency and intensity significantly.
Chiropractic
Chiropractors use hands and other tools to manipulate your spine and joints, with studies suggesting spinal manipulation can alleviate migraine pain. Studies also indicate acupuncture works for many, as a practitioner inserts thin needles into specific points on your body; biofeedback, an relaxation technique, may also prove effective for some individuals.
Acupuncture, massage and exercise have all been shown to reduce stress – one of the primary triggers of migraine headaches. Dietary supplements like feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) have also proven useful in alleviating migraine headaches.
Migraine treatments vary depending on who’s being treated, so it’s essential to speak to a medical provider prior to trying any alternative therapy in order to make sure it fits within your overall migraine management plan. They will be able to tell you whether an alternative may interact with any existing medications you are on as well as its possible adverse effects that could make it unsafe or ineffective; additionally they can assist in finding treatments which work specifically for you.
Daith Piercing
Many people claim that getting their ears pierced at the small fold of cartilage in the center can help alleviate migraine pain, but there’s no scientific evidence supporting this claim. People reporting success via social media bolster this theory while some medical experts contend it could just be placebo effect.
Headache Magazine published in 2024 reviewed several case studies and retrospective research but found no clinical trials demonstrating their efficacy for treating headaches with daith piercings, noting instead a high placebo response rate among migraine treatments.
Gerson suggests trying standard migraine treatments such as preventive medications, nerve-blocking injections, acupuncture and acupressure before exploring alternative therapies such as piercing. But she advises if you do want to go this route that it would be wise to consult your physician first as they will assess if piercing is safe as well as the best place for it to occur.
Biofeedback
Alternative therapies have proven successful at relieving migraine pain. When exploring alternative treatment options, always consult your physician first if symptoms or health conditions could pose problems; your physician can also help identify treatments with potential severe side effects or no scientific basis for effectiveness.
Biofeedback involves monitoring and practicing techniques that teach you to control automatic body functions, such as heart rate, muscle tension, skin temperature, blood pressure and brain waves. A therapist attaches sensors to your body that display information on a screen; once familiarized, biofeedback exercises can be completed at home without needing special equipment.
Other complementary therapies may include cognitive behavioral therapy for identifying and changing stress-related behaviors, meditation and yoga, feverfew pills, and relaxation training. Feverfew may reduce migraine pain and decrease attacks according to some studies; however more research needs to be conducted.
