Migraines are more than just headaches. Anyone who suffers from recurring migraines knows the frustration of being debilitated by this painful condition. Around 12% of people in the US suffer from migraines, and many of these people find their symptoms to be overwhelming to the point of not being able to carry out their day-to-day duties.
While the pain might be intense and nausea and sensitivity to light and noise unbearable, there are some natural remedies you can try instead of taking prescription medication or medication to help you reduce the pain and symptoms of migraines and help to make your episodes more bearable.
Acupressure
Pain and other symptoms can be relieved by applying pressure to specific areas of the body using one’s fingers and hands, known as acupressure. The findings of a 2014 systematic review indicate that acupressure is a legitimate alternative therapy for persons suffering from chronic headaches and other ailments. A separate study discovered that acupressure might be beneficial in the treatment of migraine-associated nausea. There are many different migraine pressure points on the body you can try yourself to see if this helps.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is the adjustment of your body to help realign your natural position and reduce pressure and pain by manipulating body parts. There have been many studies around using a chiropractor for migraine headache relief. However, many people see significant benefits from this type of alternative therapy for migraines and various other body aches and pains.
Regular Massage
According to a 2006 study, receiving a weekly massage may help lessen the incidence of migraines while also improving sleep quality. Massage, according to the research, reduces perceived stress and enhances coping abilities. It also has the additional benefit of lowering heart rate, anxiety, and cortisol levels. It is only natural that when you are experiencing migraines, you become tenser and stressed; massages allow your body to relax, thus reducing the impact of your migraines, especially if they are stress-induced.
Identify Food Triggers
Are your migraines connected to your diet? Many different foods have been identified as migraine triggers. To find out if this is affecting your migraines, keep a diary of the food you eat directly before your migraine to see if you can identify a pattern so you can cut them out of your diet and see if this helps you.
Triggers can include;
- Chocolate
- Cheese containing tyramine – blue, feta, cheddar, Parmesan, and Swiss
- Food with nitrates – hot dogs, deli meats, bacon, and sausage
- Alcohol
- Foods containing MSG
- Cold items such as iced coffees or ice cream
- Processed foods
- Pickled foods
- Beans
- Dried Fruit
Ginger
A study conducted in 2014 with 100 volunteers compared the efficiency of ginger powder with sumatriptan, a typical migraine medication, to see which was more beneficial.
Using statistical comparisons, the researchers discovered that ginger was statistically comparable to sumatriptan in terms of effectiveness and that users were ready to continue with either medication.
One particular benefit for people who suffer from migraines is that consuming ginger will not harm them. Aside from the possibility of an allergic reaction, there are no adverse side effects to utilizing ginger.
Stress Management
Stress is a common cause of migraines, especially in women. Stress can also set off a vicious cycle in which migraine discomfort exacerbates the stress, which in turn causes another migraine.
Migraines can be prevented in the future by finding stress-relieving activities such as journaling, exercise, or meditation. People can also consider enrolling in a stress management course. They may also choose to take a warm bath or listen to music to alleviate the stress they are experiencing.
People who choose to engage in these positive acts decide to take control of their body’s response to the stress in their lives.
Daith Piercing
Topical evidence from migraine sufferers points to a Daith piercing being effective at reducing migraines or the severity of the attacks. The Daith is that small part of your ear on the side of your face that sits next to the ear opening. It is one of the pressure points used in acupressure therapy, so having a piercing here may effectively alleviate migraines.
Yoga
Yoga promotes health and well-being by including breathing exercises, meditation, and bodily positions. According to research, yoga may help to reduce the frequency, length, and intensity of migraines. It is said to alleviate anxiety, release tension in migraine-prone areas, and promote vascular health, among other things.
Although the researchers conclude that it is too soon to propose yoga as a primary treatment for migraines, they believe that yoga is helpful for overall health and may be beneficial as a supplemental therapy in the future.
This is a contributed post.