Natural Remedies to Prevent and Reduce Migraines

Migraine attacks differ from usual headaches because they involve throbbing pain, nausea, and susceptivity to sound and light. If you experience migraine attacks, it’s important to first identify what triggers your migraines to understand how best to avoid or moderate these triggers so you can reduce migraine frequency. Common migraine triggers include stress, hormonal changes, irregular sleeping patterns, alcohol and caffeine, diet, and exposure to bright light, loud noises, and strong fragrances. Luckily there are some proven natural remedies to help prevent and reduce migraine headaches:

1. Acupressure

Acupressure focuses on relieving pain in specific areas of the body using pressure points. You can get traditional acupressure from a professional practitioner or do it at home. However, following a professional’s precise instructions is advisable while using the technique at home. The best acupressure point for migraines is the space between the base of your index finger and the left thumb. Apply firm, circular pressure motions on the area for five minutes to relieve the pain.

2. Feverfew

Feverfew is a herb that resembles a daisy and offers a good solution for migraine pain. People who experience chronic migraines can either take dried feverfew leaf capsules daily to reduce the number of attacks or brew the dried leaves in a tea. Consult your doctor or naturopath on the correct dosage of the herb for effective results.

3. Yoga

Yoga is a form of exercise whereby you use different body postures accompanied by breath to become more flexible while improving your mental and physical wellbeing. Health experts believe yoga can be a complimentary method to help relieve migraine intensity, duration, and frequency by loosening tight areas in the neck, head, and shoulders, which hold onto stress.

4. Biofeedback

Biofeedback is a therapy that teaches us how to control different body functions for stress relief. The technique involves the application of electrodes directly on the skin to observe the physiologic operations that change when we experience stress. A biofeedback session tracks our blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle tension during a stressful episode. Biofeedback for migraines involves working with a therapist who will help you learn techniques to manage stress so it changes your physiological response. Many natural health experts believe biofeedback is an effective therapy for treating migraine attacks with no side effects.

5. Lavender oil

Many migraine patients attribute natural oils, like lavender essential oil to helping them reduce migraine pain. Lavender oil may be inhaled directly or diluted some with a carrier oil (i.e., sweet almond oil) before being applied directly to the temples. Using lavender oil when you feel an approaching migraine may help reduce the frequency and severity of the attack. Peppermint, rosemary, chamomile, and eucalyptus oils have also been shown to be helpful scents for reducing headaches.

7. Consume a migraine-friendly diet

Your diet can also play a significant role in preventing and reducing migraines. For example, diets high in certain processed foods have been shown to increase the frequency of migraines. Doctors may advise patients to avoid foods and drinks that trigger migraine attacks, such as foods high in nitrates, (i.e., bacon, sausages, and hot dogs), hard cheeses containing tyramine, alcohol, chocolate, dried fruits, icy beverages and ice cream, and cultured dairy products (i.e., sour cream or buttermilk). While some patients use small quantities of caffeine to reduce migraine pain, please keep in mind that some migraine medications contain caffeine, and too much caffeine may trigger a migraine.

8. Keep a headache journal

Many patients find that recording their migraine frequency, symptoms, foods consumed, and duration of attacks can help them better manage their migraine pain. All you need is a blank journal and notebook to record the following details: Date of migraine attack, length of migraine, severity on a scale of 1 to 10, foods consumed leading up to the migraine, environmental factors—such as temperature, presence of pets, dust, pollen, etc, and symptoms experienced with the headache—including things like sensitivity to light or sound, strong smells, dizziness or vertigo. A migraine journal can help identify triggers and also help your doctor make a proper diagnosis and treatment plan for treating your migraines.

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