Migraine is a complex condition, yet certain treatments have proven successful at preventing migraine attacks or alleviating their symptoms. Some non-drug options exist while other may require prescription or have potential side effects.
Patients and providers should discuss the potential benefits, risks, and limitations of these modalities with their doctor, such as mind/body treatments such as acupuncture and mindfulness as well as manual therapies such as physical therapy or chiropractic manipulation.
Acupuncture
Traditional Chinese medicine asserts that your energy, or “chi”, travels through pathways known as meridians. If this energy becomes unbalanced or out of sync with its intended pathway, this may cause pain or illness; Acupuncture has been found to significantly decrease migraine frequency and intensity when combined with medications.
Other forms of acupuncture therapy involve needles that target specific points on the head as well as acupressure techniques. Studies indicate that feverfew and chamomile herbs may also help prevent migraines.
Alternative treatments available to alleviate migraines include cognitive behavior therapy, relaxation training and acupressure. Melatonin, mindfulness practices, physical therapy (PT) and chiropractic manipulation research is ongoing. Before trying any supplements or natural remedies for migraines on your own, please speak to your physician as certain can be harmful or even dangerous; alternatively a headache specialist can diagnose and provide acute treatment or preventive medicine as necessary.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback uses noninvasive sensors to enable individuals to learn to consciously control bodily functions that are normally unconscious, like muscle tension. A technician places sensors directly onto your skin or attaches them to an information machine which displays this data as electrical signals or sounds.
Studies suggest that biofeedback may ease pain and reduce migraine frequency, while also helping those dealing with anxiety, depression and stress. You should discuss its use with your healthcare provider prior to trying it yourself.
Another possible approach is using a cold compress on your head or neck; studies haven’t proven this works, but some find it beneficial. A chiropractor may manipulate joints while giving advice on diet and exercise to decrease headaches.
Meditation
Meditation can help reduce stress levels, which is one of the primary triggers for migraine attacks. Meditation also decreases pain and other symptoms during an attack.
Meditation should ideally be practiced seated or lying down, but it can also be done while walking, swimming, gardening and exercising. The key is making sure there is time and eliminating distractions such as phones or computers from your daily schedule.
One study demonstrated that spiritual forms of meditation do a better job at increasing pain tolerance and decreasing analgesic medication usage for migraine patients than secular forms. Meditation works well across belief systems, making it easy to learn. Furthermore, its practice can quickly enhance quality of life while cutting medical costs.
Massage
Massage involves hands moving gently over your body in stroking movements, using lubricating oils that stretch your tissues and relax you. One study suggested that applying rosemary oil directly onto the skin relieved pain for people undergoing hemodialysis (a process to clean their blood when kidneys fail), though there’s no evidence this method reduces migraine headaches.
Medication may help treat and stop migraine attacks, while alternative therapies such as acupuncture, biofeedback and yoga may provide additional relief. Such mind/body treatments often help lower stress levels – one of the primary triggers for migraine attacks – supplement and herbal remedies like ginger, acupressure, butterbur, lavender and chamomile may also be effective; additionally, restricting foods known to trigger headaches may be useful.
Physical Therapy
Your doctor may also suggest lifestyle and diet modifications to address migraine symptoms, in addition to pain-relief and preventive medications, like propranolol (Inderal), metoprolol (Lopressor) or calcium channel blockers like verapamil (Verelan, Calan). Blood pressure-reducing drugs, including propranolol (Inderal), metoprolol (Lopressor), verapamil (Verelan, Calan) may provide some relief; amitriptyline (Elavil) and tricyclic antidepressants may provide even further help; anti-seizure medications such as valproate (Depakote) or topiramate (Topamax/Qudexy) can even prevent migraines but all forms may not work for everyone;
Triptan patches containing sumatriptan and nizatidine have been found to relieve headaches in certain studies, while oral calcitonin gene-related peptide antagonists, or gepants such as Ubrelvy or Nurtec ODT may help. Capsaicin cream from hot peppers has also been proven to decrease migraine pain according to some research studies.
