Alternative Migraine Relief

Migraines can be debilitating and often are severe enough to cause a disability in an otherwise healthy person. While tracking your migraines with a migraine journal can be the best way to discover your migraine triggers, most migrainers still will experience symptoms periodically, even while trying to avoid their triggers. Some people learn they cannot do anything about their triggers because the pain is connected to uncontrollable factors like the weather. In all situations, it is important to have a quality pain management program to deal with your migraines.

Acupressure

• Acupressure involves placing pressure on specific pressure points in your body. Migraine pressure points are located on the base of the skull and on the temples. By rubbing these areas gently in a circular motion, you can help stop migraines in their tracks. If you perform acupressure on a regular basis, it may help reduce the frequency of your migraines.

Migrastick

• The Migrastick is a new migraine management product combining aromatherapy, acupressure and cooling treatments for migraine relief. The product is a blend of lavender and peppermint essential oils inside a small bottle with a rolling ball applicator. By putting the oils on your temples, middle forehead and the base of your neck and then rubbing in a circular motion, you may feel relief from your pain.

Cooling Pads

• Using adhesive cooling pads or a frozen ice pack wrapped in a towel can provide significant relief from your migraines. Simply apply the pad to your forehead or the back of your neck and relax. The adhesive pads occasionally are marketed as headache pads, but you also can purchase them near Ace bandages, where they may be sold as muscle relief pads.

Acupuncture

• Acupuncture is a popular preventive treatment for migraines. An acupuncturist will insert thin needles into your skin and manipulate them to help release tension and toxins in those areas. Many people feel very nauseated after their first acupuncture session, but this will evolve into feeling of relief after the second and subsequent treatments. While science still cannot explain why acupuncture works, research performed at the Christian Albrechts University in Germany shows it can be an effective pain-prevention method.

Chiropractic

• Chiropractic work involves the manipulation of the spine and joints to provide relief from misalignment. Between massage, spinal manipulation and back adjustments, migrainers have shown positive reactions to continual chiropractic appointments. Chiropractors generally recommend reinforcing this treatment method with plenty of at-home massage between appointments.

Magnesium, Diet & Vitamins

• Like most body ailments, eating right and incorporating proper vitamins can only help a migraine condition. A 2008 study performed at Erciyes University in Turkey showed magnesium can be a huge help in the prevention of migraines.

  Researchers from Philadelphia's Drexel University College of Medicine have discovered that cutting back on fat intake, with the exception of omega 3 fatty acids, can help improve a migrainer's life.
  There are quite a few vitamin blends that claim to help with migraine prevention, but look for magnesium as one of the key ingredients. Feverfew is an herb popularly used by people with migraines, but many preliminary studies at the University of Exeter have shown it to be effective only as a placebo, offering no substantial help.

  While some alternative medicine users recommend the use of ginkgo biloba as a migraine prevention treatment, doctors warn that this herb can thin your blood and cause bleeding problems when users experience even minor wounds.