If you are one of the 39 million or more migraine sufferers in the US, or among the 12% of adults around the world who deal with this condition, you may be tired of spending money on traditional and alternative remedies that lead to disappointing results. We’re going to discuss some of the popular home remedies. Perhaps you will find some things that you have not tried before. We will conclude with an often-overlooked natural therapy that has helped many migraine patients to regain control over their health.
Table of Contents
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular home remedies for migraines. Remember to consult a physician before changing your diet, starting on a new supplement, or starting a new exercise program.
Since migraine triggers vary from person to person, one good way to try and reduce the frequency of your migraines is to keep a journal. Look for patterns that can help you to determine your personal triggers and then avoid the ones that you can.
Headaches are often the first sign of dehydration. While all of your headaches may not be due to this reason, you may find that drinking 8 glasses of water per day reduces how often you get migraines.
Lack of sleep can trigger a migraine, so sleeping 7 to 8 hours per night is vital. Have a regular schedule, going to bed and waking up at the same times each day. Be sure to create the right environment for sleep by having the room dark and quiet. Try to avoid mobile device usage just before bedtime.
Stress produces hormones in the body that allow you to cope with the mental strain. However, fluctuations in hormone levels can trigger migraine attacks. That means you can experience a migraine when you are stressed or when you relax after a stressful time and the hormone levels suddenly drop. Managing your stress will help keep stress hormone levels in check. Be sure to use positive ways to manage stress because alcohol and cigarettes can both increase the frequency of migraines.
Whether you sit at a desk all day for work, spend a lot of time in the car, or have a tendency to check your mobile phone over and over throughout the day, you may be experiencing migraines due to poor posture. Be sure to keep monitors at eye level, sit up as straight as you can in the car, and set limits on how often you look down at your phone in order to take the strain off of your neck. Looking down at a 60-degree angle increases the strain on the neck by about 5 times, so holding your phone up instead of looking down is also a good habit to get into.
About 75% of people who get migraines suffer from neck pain either before or during an attack. Icing your neck can reduce inflammation and pain. Always be sure to wrap the icepack in a towel so it is not in direct contact with your skin.
Some people swear by the benefits of essential oils for migraines. One, in particular, is lavender. This may have some benefit because it tends to be a stress reliever.
Cayenne improves blood flow. Most things that are good for circulation will benefit a migraine sufferer since migraines are caused by a combination of vascular and neurological conditions in the body. For this reason, a little caffeine may also help. However, too much caffeine can make migraines worse, so know your limits.
Ginger performed well in a study that was conducted a few years ago. Researchers found that ginger blocks prostaglandins from causing muscle contractions. It can also help regulate inflammation of the blood vessels of the brain. Basically, ginger acts like an NSAID (e.g., ibuprofen) but without the side effects. You can either turn the ginger root into a tea or chew on the fresh ginger root.
Those are a few ways that you can provide yourself with some self-care at home. While these remedies may help you to have fewer migraines, they don’t all address the underlying issue. What is an often-overlooked cause of migraines and how can you get the help you need in a safe and gentle way?
There is a good reason why many migraines are accompanied by neck pain. A tiny misalignment of the atlas (the top bone in the neck) could be at the heart of the problem. This bone surrounds the brainstem, and even a slight misalignment can place pressure on this vital component in the central nervous system. Also, a misaligned atlas can affect blood flow to the brain. Another key factor when it comes to migraines.
As a result, it just makes sense for a migraine patient to see someone who specializes in the atlas. Did you know that there are subspecialties in the field of chiropractic just as there are in other fields of medicine? Upper cervical chiropractors focus on the atlas and use very gentle and precise adjustments to correct even the tiniest subluxation.
If you get migraines, especially if you experience neck pain either before or during your attacks, you may find that upper cervical chiropractic is just what you need to get natural help. To learn more, schedule a consultation with a practitioner near you today.
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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.
