Migraines are severe, debilitating headaches. They often come with nausea, slurred speech, and hallucinations.
Holistic treatments have proven benefits for those living with migraine. To explore this avenue further, it’s best to speak to a healthcare provider; here are some of the more frequently used holistic migraine remedies:.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback therapy aims to train the brain to self-regulate itself as an alternative to medication. Wearing sensors that track physiologic functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension and electrical activity in the brain provides biofeedback therapists with feedback (via graphs on monitor) on how best to regulate these functions and guide their efforts.
Physiologic measurements typically assessed with this therapy include finger temperature, heart rate and respiration rates. By keeping an eye on these metrics, individuals become aware of any inner body changes that require their conscious effort for change to take effect.
Some holistic treatments have proven successful at managing migraines; however, they may not be as efficient as more conventional medication.
Acupressure
Numerous individuals living with migraine opt for holistic therapies, including meditation, mindfulness training, acupuncture and essential oils as well as vitamins and minerals believed to provide medicinal benefits, Kuruvilla says.
Acupressure involves stimulating specific points on the body to relieve stress, pain, and muscle tension. A practitioner or individuals can perform it themselves for stress relief; for example with DIY scalp massages.
Before attending an acupressure session, be sure that your practitioner has all of your medical and lifestyle data available, including medications you take or any changes that have taken place such as caffeine consumption prior to an appointment.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical practice that helps balance your energy flow in your body. A practitioner inserts thin needles at various points on your body that are believed to affect blood circulation or hormone levels – helping reduce pain while increasing energy.
Deep breathing exercises can help your muscles to relax. Spend 10 minutes every day either sitting or lying down and practice inhaling and exhaling for 10 seconds each time, or try massaging the hinges of your jaw or performing stretching or exercise routines that target that area.
Acupuncture has been proven effective at relieving migraine headaches without using prescription medication, and may be combined with other holistic treatments for optimal results. If this sounds promising to you, talk with your physician to see if acupuncture might be right for you.
Massage
As anyone suffering from migraine can tell you, its pain can be debilitating. Unfortunately, prescription painkillers are often ineffective or even harmful when trying to manage this pain.
Alternative treatments such as massage are definitely worth a shot, such as relaxing massage. Studies have demonstrated its ability to decrease stress levels and activate the parasympathetic nervous system – or “calming response”. Massage may also assist in improving sleep – something which many sufferers of migraine consider an impending trigger.
Study has demonstrated the beneficial effect of massage in alleviating migraine duration and intensity for those with an existing history. You can choose from various kinds of massage techniques – traditional, aromatherapy or the hands-on technique known as craniosacral manipulation which involves assessing and strengthening fluid membranes surrounding the spinal cord believed to play a part in migraine attacks.
Nutritional counseling
Migraines are debilitating headaches characterized by visual disturbances known as auras, nausea and dizziness – the most prevalent primary headache disorder in America affecting over 40 million people.
Nutritional counseling may help decrease both the frequency and severity of migraine attacks. When combined with other therapies, nutritional counselling has proven highly successful at relieving headaches for many patients. Some have found relief from eliminating food triggers like aged cheeses, chocolate or caffeine; other have discovered relief through following a low sodium diet with frequent small meals throughout their day.
Dr. Kuruvilla suggests discussing the advantages of holistic migraine treatments with patients, taking into account their past experience with conventional medicines as well as any possible interactions or side effects, sleep issues and understanding the impact of hormonal fluctuations on migraines in women.
