8 Natural Ways to Ease Migraine

Sharon Moore November 28, 2013

Nobody wants a migraine. If it’s the only thing that could excuse you from work, bet you would just choose to go to the office and spend eight hours in that stressful paperwork than lie on your bed and pray that the pain goes away. Migraine, characterised by severe headache, nausea and vision problems could last for an hour to a couple of days.

For many migraine sufferers, relief comes from both prescription and over-the-counter medications. Whilst they offer a quick fix, these drugs simply mask the symptoms. What’s more, they have side effects too. If you’re looking for a more effective treatment for your migraine, check the following natural remedies. You might find long-term relief from the pain by using one or more of them.

Acupuncture

Small studies suggest that acupuncture may ease migraine pain and reduce headaches. This ancient technique, which involves inserting thin needles at specific points in the body, is scientifically proven to be effective in alleviating pain, especially chronic pain. It is also proven to promote relaxation.

Biofeedback

This therapy helps you become more aware of what’s happening inside your body and how they affect your health. Through biofeedback, you learn relaxation techniques to control your physical state, including your heart rate and muscle responses. Often referred to as “mind over migraine”, this technique is scientifically proven to reduce the severity and frequency of migraine attacks.

Feverfew

Considered as one of the oldest herbal remedies for migraines, this plant can be consumed in tea form or eaten raw. This plant contains a chemical called parthenolide, which is believed to help ward off migraine. According to the University of Maryland Medical Centre, one of the first studies on the health benefits of feverfew found that 70 per cent of people who chewed a couple of leaves from this plant daily experienced improvement symptoms and fewer migraines.

Exercise

A 2011 Swedish study found that 40 minutes of cardio workout, three times a week, worked as well as relaxation or medicine in reducing the severity and frequency of migraines.

Massage

A 2006 study found that massage therapy reduced the frequency of headaches and migraines, although it doesn’t appear to help reduce the pain once the migraine has started. Massage is an effective therapy to promote blood flow, which in turn prevent chronic pain.

Relaxation Techniques

Because migraine is often triggered by stress, relaxation training plays a vital role in preventing migraine attack. Among the best strategies are progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, yoga and meditation.

Water

Sometimes, easing headache is as simple as drinking water. Dehydration is one of the most common triggers of this condition. Drinking plenty of water daily is a good way to prevent a migraine attack.

Talk Therapy

It may come as a surprise but cognitive-behavioural therapy, a type of talk therapy that focuses on changing your thought patterns and actions, can reduce the frequency of migraines. This doesn’t mean that migraine is cause by mental problems or that it is just imaginary. Counselling helps people develop fresh approach to situations that could lead to headaches.

Can you suggest other natural techniques to ward off migraine? Feel free to share your comment below.