Migraines can be devastating to an individual’s life-style. Besides drugs, rather than prescription or over-the-counter, there are several alternative ways to alleviating a migraine. As an individual who got her first migraine at the age of 27, I’ve been searching for all types of migraine cures that are not drug related.
To reduce the pain associate with migraines, some non-drug alternative ways to alleviating migraine pain include: taking a bath or shower and letting the water run over the back of your head and neck; lying down and resting in a dark, quiet room; avoiding bright or flashing lights; soaking your feet in a warm container of water; drinking natural juice, especially tomato juice; massaging your own face, head, neck or shoulders, depending on where it hurts; get someone else to massage the area that is hurting; press approximately one each from each side of the base of the neck, this area releases natural endorphins that help fight against pain; massage the fleshy area between the thumb and first finger, go gently at first as this area gets very sensitive when you have a headache; and avoid stress and exercise during a migraine. Vitamins that can be taken include niacin (a Vitamin B3 form), C, B6, choline, and tryptophan. Not each vitamin works for each individual. I take a multi-vitamin that contains several of those listed that seems to work.
The best way I have found to alleviate migraines is to apply a cold compact to the back of my neck. Depending on where my head is throbbing, applying the compact to the forehead is an effective way of helping the throbbing to stop. The cold restricts the flow of blood to the brain and helps to stop the throbbing in the back of the head. On the opposite side, there are some individuals where heat works better than cold. The heat causes the blood vessels to open rather than constrict and allows a better blood flow to the brain. It’s hard to say which one will work the best for you without trying both.
If you are one of those individuals who have never been to a chiropractor, I highly recommend seeking out a chiropractor to help alleviate your migraine, no matter how mild or severe. Through spinal manipulation or massage, your muscles are relaxed and your spine is aligned to help alleviate tensions. This manipulation helps alleviate the “subluxation” that happens when the vertebrae become out of alignment and the nerves leading out of them are irritated. Migraines can be caused from having any of the top five vertebrae out in your neck. C-2 is the one that causes me the most problems but each individual is different. To avoiding seeking chiropractic help as often, stretch the neck from side to side. Do this slowly and don’t make any fast jerky moves.
Aromatherapy is another excellent alternative way to alleviating a migraine. Peppermint, lavender, sage, mint, lemon balm, rosemary and marjoram are the best herbs to use for migraine relief. Before beginning to use any combination of these herbs, it is best to smell each one and see if you have an adverse reaction to the smell. Once you find the best combination for yourself, you may either combine the natural herb in a container that can be sealed then opened when a migraine occurs; warm the combination of herb oils in some type of an oil warmer to enjoy the aroma; warm the oil and have someone give you a body massage; or apply the herb oil combination mixed with edible alcohol and rub it on the back of your neck or forehead. I use the combination of dried lavender, lemon balm and marjoram in a closed container and open it only when I have a migraine. The smell has a calming effect and lessens the severity of my throbbing head.
I’m sure there are many other alternative ways to alleviate a migraine that I have not mentioned within this article. Over the past twenty-two years, I have tried each method stated in this article. Some have worked better than others but each lessened the severity of my migraines. Because no two people have identical migraines, no cure helps each person in the same manner. Experiment until you find the one that works for you.
