Drug Free Migraine Relief

Migraines are painful headaches often accompanied by sensitivity to light or sound, tingling in the extremities, nausea and vomiting that can last for hours---or even days. There's no cure, but luckily, there are medications that can help control the frequency, duration or severity of migraines. In addition to these medications, there are drug-free options that can provide relief to migraine sufferers.

Identifying Triggers

• Most migraines flare in response to a specific trigger, and identifying that which instigates the attacks can help you reduce their numbers, or at least prepare for them. Some common triggers, such as changes in weather or hormone fluctuations, cannot be controlled, while others, such as diet and stress, can. In fact, some of the most common migraine triggers are dietary, and many migraine sufferers find relief by avoiding certain foods and drinks.
  It's a good idea to keep a food and migraine diary, noting what you eat and when you get a migraine. Looking for patterns between these two can help you determine whether any of your migraine triggers is food-related. In particular, pay attention to your reaction to common culprits, such as caffeine (including chocolate), aged cheese, the food additive monosodium glutamate (MSG), nitrates or nitrites in processed meats (such as bacon, cold cuts and hot dogs), red wine, citrus fruits, yeast-risen breads and the artificial sweetener aspartame (NutraSweet). Conversely, you can start an elimination diet, gradually reducing and removing each of these common trigger foods (under the direction of your health care provider), and see if there is a change in your migraine patterns.
  In addition, try to eliminate unnecessary stress from your life, and for those that you can't eliminate, develop a strategy for dealing with them. Deep breathing, such as taking long, slow breaths from your diaphragm, and relaxation techniques, such as visualizing a calm location, can help you keep stress levels under control. Regular exercise and sleep are also key to managing stress.

Alternative Medicine

• Alternative and complementary medicine has grown in popularity, and many migraine sufferers find that these drug-free options provide relief. In a study published in a 2004 issue of the "British Medical Journal," acupuncture, an Eastern approach to health in which fine needles are inserted under the skin at prescribed pressure points, was found to decrease the severity and frequency of migraines by stimulating the release of hormones and biochemicals that help the body process pain. States vary in how they certify and license acupuncturists, so be sure to research any provider before making an appointment.
  Some migraine sufferers have found relief by learning to control their body's response to triggers using biofeedback, a technique in which electrodes attached to the body measure temperature and muscle tension, both of which rise during stress. By learning how their body responds to certain signals they can learn how to stimulate their own relaxation responses---helping them manage the pain of a migraine. Biofeedback is usually offered by physicians or in clinics that specialize in pain management.

Supplements

• Supplements have attracted attention recently for their potential to provide natural, drug-free migraine relief. Many migraine sufferers report that taking a magnesium supplement (approximately 400mg from magnesium oxide or magnesium sulphate per day) has cut down the frequency of their migraines. Response from the medical community has been mixed, as summarized by Ninan T. Mathew, M.D., in a 1998 symposium of the American Association for the Study of Headache (AASH), in whch she said, "There is still no proof that magnesium replacement is of any benefit in Migraine prophylaxis."
  The herbal supplement feverfew is also said to be helpful in preventing migraines. The herb seems to normalize platelet function, block inflammation and prevent migraine-inducing blood vessel spasms. It has not undergone rigorous clinical trials, so if you want to add feverfew to your daily routine, do so under the guidance and supervision of your health care provider.