According to the Migraine Research Foundation, migraines are one of the most common conditions across the globe. They can be extremely painful and sometimes debilitating and impact sufferers’ daily lives. There are a variety of medications available to treat and prevent migraines, however many are now opting to manage their painful headaches using natural, alternative treatments.
Here are some of the top natural remedies for migraines that you can try to help manage pain and prevent the frequency you may experience them.
Manipulation
Head and neck manipulations can be an excellent method to prevent and fight headache. Manual stimulation on the base of the neck has a relaxing effect and improve the circulation in the head offering a good relief from the symptom.
Temple massage acts on the temporal muscle and small pressure in the area of temporal artery (also by alone) can relax the muscle and reduce the artery spam both responsible for head pain.
Diet and Water Intake
Many people who suffer with migraines find that certain foods trigger them. There is a list of common food triggers, including processed foods, red wine, alcohol, chocolate and caffeine.
If you think your diet may be triggering your migraines, it might help to make a food diary for a period of 2-3 weeks, which can enable you to pinpoint what is bringing on your headaches. By changing your diet or eating patterns, you may be able to prevent future migraines.
Minor dehydration due to not drinking enough water is also another migraine trigger. It’s important to ensure you are drinking plenty of water throughout the day to keep hydrated and avoid dehydration-related headaches.
Stress Management
Stress is one of the most common migraine triggers and can create a cycle where migraine pain worsens the stress, creating an endless circle of stress-related headaches.
A good way to prevent this cycle is to find ways to manage your stress. This may include journaling your lifestyle, regular exercise, meditation, speaking to friends and family about how you are feeling or taking time away from what is making you stressed.
By doing things you enjoy and that help you relax, you can take control of how you react to stress, meaning you are less likely to see a worsening in your migraines as a result.
Supplements
Natural supplements have become a popular way to naturally manage migraine headaches, and many contain vitamins that are helpful for migraine prevention.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) – can be a useful tool to prevent headache, thanks to its propriety of amelioration metabolic cells function by improving production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and its antioxidant proprieties.
Scientific studies have shown that CoQ10 can help reduce the frequency of migraines. Scientists have discovered that your body’s level of the pain-related protein CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor) is higher during a migraine attack, and studies have shown that CoQ10 can lower CGRP levels, which can help prevent migraines.
CoQ10 is available in some food sources, such as meat and fish, but amounts in food are naturally less than can be obtained by taking supplements. CoQ10 supplements are available in many different forms, such as solid tablets, liquid-filled capsules and powders.
5-HTP – also could be a valid support to fight headache. It improves the quality of sleep and it has a relaxing effect, both conditions positively impact on the prevention of chronic headache.
5-Htp can be found in foods, but some of these foods as for example cheese contains also some elements (lactose) that in people intolerant to these can be responsible of headache onset. So, an oral supplement could be the best solution to benefit of the strength of this molecule by avoiding weakness of absorption of it through foods.
If you are suffering from regular migraines and you haven’t spoken to your GP about your condition, it’s important to do so as they may be caused by an underlying health condition that requires medical attention.
About The Author
Dr Arianna Di Stadio is a neuroscientist and co-founder of Hello Pure. Arianna Di Stadio MD, PhD is Head of Research and Development for Hello Pure. She is a doctor and research scientist with expertise in neuro-degenerative disease. Arianna is based at the University Perugia and is an Honorary Research Associate at UCL.