Having a recurring migraine attack can be highly frustrating. That’s why many patients find themselves desperate to try any remedy they can get their hands on, including melatonin. Chances are, someone recommended taking melatonin for migraines. But is it safe? Can it provide enough relief for chronic headaches and other migraine symptoms?
Additionally, is it something you should use together with other remedies you seek, such as going to a chiropractor for migraines? Learn everything you must learn about using melatonin for migraines in our discussion below.
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Melatonin is a hormone involved in sleep regulation. While it comes from the pineal gland, sometimes people take it in supplement form to address sleeping problems like insomnia. Nowadays, some patients who have chronic migraine symptoms also use melatonin to cope better. But does it work?
Studies on using melatonin for migraines show mixed results. In one study, the researchers found that taking 3mg of melatonin can help curb the frequency of a migraine attack because of its anti-inflammatory effects on the body.
This may be because of melatonin’s role in regulating sleep. Several studies note that lack of sleep can result in a significant increase in migraine attacks. That’s because lack of sleep increases pain sensitivity and affects the balance of some brain chemicals.
However, another study showed that placebo treatment and melatonin supplements showed similar effects in curbing migraine episodes. Some also note that taking melatonin can mess up the body’s normal sleeping cycle, potentially leading to worse migraine problems.
Until today, researchers are still trying to understand the exact mechanism of melatonin in relieving migraines. As a result, you should talk with your doctor or chiropractor for migraines before taking melatonin supplements. This would help you figure out possible complications or determine whether you should seek another remedy.
Because melatonin's exact mechanism for migraine relief remains vague, you can tap into other well-documented remedies. Here are a few examples:
The American Migraine Foundation shares that acupuncture is among the leading natural remedies for migraine relief. Studies show that undergoing acupuncture therapy for at least six months can significantly reduce a patient’s migraine episodes by up to 50 percent or more.
Practicing yoga is one of the best ways to calm and soothe the mind. That’s why it’s not surprising why some migraineurs turn to this natural remedy to cope with their symptoms. According to a 2014 study, yoga with conventional migraine care provides excellent relief for patients.
A study shows that people with severe headaches tend to experience less intense pain after getting a massage. Other studies note that weekly massages also help improve headaches, suggesting that it could help you alleviate your migraines as well.
Diet plays a significant role in keeping health conditions like migraine attacks at bay. That’s why, if you frequently experience migraine attacks, you might find it helpful to take a look at your diet and identify possible triggers. Some examples of these can include coffee, chocolate, alcoholic beverages, cured meats, cheese, and processed food products.
It’s hard to get rid of stressors like traffic jams or the honking of the cars passing by your home. Thinking about the current health crisis or the long-term impact of the pandemic is also quite stressful. Because stressors are everywhere, we recommend finding a better way to cope with them. Otherwise, you increase your risk of having debilitating health problems such as migraine attacks.
You can start by trying relaxation techniques like breathing exercises. If that doesn’t help you, we suggest trying other tactics such as:
Did you know that many of the cases of migraines get triggered by dehydration? This is because water makes up a significant fraction of the myelin sheath (protective layer of nerves) and helps conduct signals from your brain to different parts of the body. As a result, if you don’t have enough water in your body, your nervous system might fail to function correctly. This makes you prone to different migraine symptoms like headaches, auras, nausea, and lethargy.
As much as possible, you should drink at least eight glasses of water per day. We also recommend carrying a flask or water bottle with you anywhere you go, especially during a hot day.
Besides the migraine remedies we shared above, we also highly recommend consulting with a chiropractor for migraines. Several case studies note that upper cervical care helps provide lasting relief from recurring or chronic migraine episodes. That’s because it aims to address one of the most likely root causes of migraines–misaligned neck bones.
When the uppermost neck bones shift by even the tiniest fraction, they can impinge on the brainstem. Unfortunately, this slight change leads to a series of problems ranging from impaired brainstem function to the onset of a migraine attack.
In most cases, patients who previously got into an accident that hurt the head or neck likely develop a cervical spine misalignment. If you suspect having the same health concern, we suggest contacting your C1 and C2 bone checked.
Feel free to consult with a nearby upper cervical chiropractic practitioner to learn more about how you can relieve your migraine episodes naturally.
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TV show host Montel Williams describes how specific chiropractic care has helped his body.
The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
