Nontraditional therapies may help ease certain types of headache. Some options include acupuncture, exercise and massage therapies as well as herbs such as feverfew and butterbur.
Behavioral treatments offer you tools to cope with stress and change your thoughts and emotions. Studies show that biofeedback reduces stress as well as migraine frequency in both children and adults.
Acupuncture
Licensed acupuncturists use thin needles to promote healing across a variety of health conditions, from migraines to nausea after surgery or chemotherapy treatments, headaches, fibromyalgia, digestive issues (such as Crohn’s disease) rheumatoid arthritis, menstrual cramps and more. Clinical trials have demonstrated its efficacy against nausea and vomiting post-treatment; chronic pain conditions such as headaches fibromyalgia Crohn’s disease as well as menstrual cramps have all seen improvements from using this therapy treatment approach as well.
Acupuncture has been shown to be effective at relieving migraine pain and disability, and is easily implemented at home. A 2020 study concluded that 20 sessions of manual acupuncture proved more successful than sham acupuncture in helping prevent migraine episodes. However, further research is still necessary for other forms of acupuncture. Daith piercing is often used to treat migraine, yet has only been studied through anecdotal patient reports; more research needs to be conducted before recommending this form of acupuncture as an effective therapy option. Folk medicine often utilizes herbal treatments such as feverfew to alleviate migraine headaches. An alternative method, biofeedback, is a relaxation therapy which trains patients how to monitor and control their autonomic responses during stress by using changes in physiologic processes as feedback.
Cold compresses
Cold compresses can provide relief for headaches by relaxing tight muscles and decreasing pain signals that reach the brain. They also numb the area and decrease inflammation; individuals can purchase commercially available cold packs or make their own using frozen vegetables, cloth and ice cubes.
Acupuncture and acupressure are holistic treatments that focus on pressure points on the body. Studies show both can be effective treatments for migraines while simultaneously relieving stress and anxiety, both known migraine triggers.
Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) has long been utilized as a form of alternative treatment for headaches. Recent research shows it can even prevent migraine attacks in some individuals; however, its consumption should not be taken by pregnant women or young children as this could cause mouth ulcers or irritation.
People suffering from chronic musculoskeletal injuries may also benefit from cold compresses. You can purchase them in most stores and pharmacies, or make one yourself by placing a bag of ice in a wet towel.
Exercise
Exercise is a simple, safe, and noninvasive way to decrease migraine frequency and intensity. By stimulating endorphin release – our bodies’ natural painkillers – exercise can relieve tension while simultaneously improving mood and sleep quality. Furthermore, regular physical activity also helps manage health complications related to migraine such as high blood pressure, depression and obesity which often accompany such attacks.
One study discovered that using aerobic exercise and lifestyle modifications together helped 95% of people switch from chronic migraine to episodic migraine with 15 or fewer headache days per month, much higher success than over-the-counter or prescription medications alone.
Regular exercise can help ease neck and shoulder tension that contributes to migraine attacks. You can use tennis balls or foam rollers at home for self-massage sessions that may relieve stress, as well as reduce frequency of migraine attacks. Professional massage services may also offer relief. It’s best to begin slowly increasing intensity as time progresses; gradually build your workout up as you get stronger.
Biofeedback
Mind-body therapy uses electrodes placed on the skin to measure physiological processes that change during stress and teach you how to adapt accordingly. Sessions usually last less than an hour.
As soon as a migraine attacks starts, your sympathetic nervous system becomes over-activated, which in turn restricts small blood vessels in your arms and hands causing your fingers to feel cold and start turning white. Biofeedback helps you lower your blood pressure and relax more, enabling them to warm back up again.
Other treatments that have proven their efficacy in relieving migraine symptoms include melatonin, physical therapy (PT), chiropractic manipulation and acupuncture; however, their effectiveness remains largely unproven by research.
Be sure to discuss any alternative treatments you are considering with your physician. They can help determine if they are appropriate and ensure they won’t clash or cause severe side effects, as well as recommend other solutions more tailored towards your particular situation.
