10 Natural Ways to Reduce the Symptoms of a Migraine
If you’ve never experienced a migraine, they can be difficult to explain. They’re far more than just a plain headache and can cause excruciating pain. When one strikes, you’ll be prepared to do almost anything to make the pain go away. Symptoms include pain, nausea, tingling or numbness in the hands and feet, visual changes, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. These symptoms can be debilitating and have a significant impact on sufferers’ daily lives. Medical treatment is one of the ways to reduce the symptoms, however, an increasing number of people prefer to use more natural treatments. Here are 10 treatments you might want to try.
1. Avoid the Triggers
There are a number of food and beverages that are known to trigger migraines. They include chocolate, cheese, alcohol, pickled foods, dried fruits, processed foods, beans, and cultured dairy products. If you want to know which foods trigger your migraines, keep a daily food diary.
2. Acupressure
This is a therapy that involves applying pressure with the fingers and hands to certain parts of the body. For many people, it is a very effective way of relieving the pain of chronic headaches and other conditions.
3. CBD Oil
There is evidence that CBD oil can reduce pain and inflammation for people living with arthritis, and it is thought it may work in a similar way for migraine sufferers, too. CBD (cannabidiol) is one of many active compounds found in cannabis and hemp plants. CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from either plants and then diluting it with a carrier oil such as coconut or hemp seed oil. There are numerous sites where you can purchase hemp products wholesale online.
4. Essential Oils
Inhaling lavender essential oil eases the pain of a migraine for some people. It can be inhaled directly or applied in a diluted form to the temples. Peppermint oil is another essential oil often used to stop a migraine coming on.
5. Ginger
Ginger can ease nausea that is caused by a variety of conditions, migraines included. Research has also shown that ginger powder can decrease the severity and duration of a migraine attack.
6. Yoga
Yoga is not recommended as a primary treatment for migraines. However, it is thought to support overall health and be beneficial as a complementary therapy.
7. Magnesium
A deficiency of magnesium is linked to headaches and migraines. It’s possible to increase your intake of magnesium from foods such as almonds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, peanut butter, oatmeal, cashews, eggs, and milk.
8. Stress Management
Stress is a common trigger for migraines and can also be responsible for creating a cycle whereby the migraine pain makes the stress worse and then triggers another migraine. It’s important to find ways to manage your stress such as exercise or meditation.
9. Acupuncture
Acupuncture has proved to be a very successful treatment for people with migraine headaches. It’s not something you can do at home, however, so make sure you find a licensed practitioner for this kind of treatment.
10. Herbal supplements
Two herbal supplements that have proved to be very successful are butterbur and feverfew. Before trying any kind of herbal supplement, speak with your doctor first.
