Although migraines are debilitating conditions, many have found relief through natural and holistic methods. Instead of depending solely on prescription medication for relief, holistic treatments provide relief while simultaneously treating their source.
When selecting a holistic provider, it is crucial to do your homework. Look for licensed practitioners with certifications in their field who have experience treating chronic migraines.
1. Meditation
People living with migraine and headache disorders often turn to holistic treatments in an effort to manage their symptoms, whether traditional medicines do not help, cause side effects or they simply want to take proactive steps in order to avoid more headaches in the future.
Meditation practices such as mindful breathing exercises and guided imagery have been demonstrated to effectively reduce stress while increasing relaxation and resilience in both mind and body. This effect is heightened when performed regularly and with consistency.
Studies have demonstrated that meaningful cognitive focus during meditation leads to different results than simple distraction, suggesting it could be an effective stress relief strategy for those suffering from chronic migraines. More research needs to be completed before this assumption can be validated.
2. Acupuncture
Acupuncture works by stimulating nerves that act to stop pain signals reaching your brain. Furthermore, it encourages your body to release natural painkillers — endorphins – into its system.
Acupuncture may be an effective tool in managing migraine, but it’s essential that you work closely with a health care provider in order to make sure it’s safe and effective for you. Acupuncture has been found effective at relieving headaches, including chronic migraine, among its many holistic treatment options.
Other holistic treatments that may prove helpful include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps identify and reframe negative thought patterns, as well as relaxation training. While such approaches could become primary migraine treatments in future research should, in the meantime, be used together with conventional remedies provided by healthcare providers as needed.
3. Yoga
Though most have experienced at least one headache at some point in their lives, not everyone can understand the excruciating pain of migraines. While they may not be as widespread, migraines affect millions of people worldwide.
Avoiding known migraine triggers is an effective way to lower the risk of migraines; holistic approaches may also provide additional relief when symptoms do appear, such as meditation, acupuncture and yoga.
Recent research showed that patients who practiced yoga alongside conventional care saw significant more improvement than the control group, suggesting a holistic approach was more successful in managing migraines than taking medications alone. Yoga helps relax tension and boost mood – both of which can be major migraine triggers.
4. Massage
Massage can help relieve tension and improve circulation – two of the primary contributors to migraine pain. Furthermore, massage helps alleviate any build-up of toxins that could otherwise cause headaches.
Massage therapies specifically tailored towards migraine sufferers may help. Trigger point therapy entails massaging tight or tender muscles and fascia; this form of massage could prove particularly helpful if the source of migraines lies within neck stiffness or imbalances.
Integrating holistic practices into your current treatment plan can help create the optimal blend of conventional and alternative approaches. Discuss with your neurologist which techniques would best meet your needs; they’ll be able to offer tips for getting started safely with integrative therapies.
5. Diet
Maintaining regular meals and snacks at regular times throughout the day can help combat migraines, as can getting enough rest and staying hydrated. Exercise may also help manage headaches by releasing chemicals which block pain signals in the brain and relax muscles; however, before engaging in any new exercises regime consult your physician first.
Though scientists still are unsure of exactly what causes migraines, evidence exists that certain foods may contribute to or worsen them. Elimination diets may help identify your triggers. You could also consider cutting back on caffeine consumption; too much caffeine consumption can lead to dehydration which itself is often an inducer. Applying cool compresses over your head and neck may numb pain while constricted blood vessels cause them to constrict further, decreasing throbbing symptoms.
