According to Mama'sHealth.com, approximately 26 million Americans suffer from migraines every year--11 million of whom experience moderate to severe migraines that are disabling. While everyone experiences a bad headache every now and then, a migraine typically occurs on one side of the head and causes an excruciating, incapacitating pain for those who suffer from it. A variety of causes exist, as do a number of symptoms, such as flashing light, weakness, a tingling in the face and difficulty seeing or speaking. Check with your doctor before trying natural treatment methods.
Step 1
Go to a dark room. The Mayo Clinic says that bright lights, glare from the sun, loud sounds, odors--including perfume and secondhand smoke--can all trigger a migraine. Secluding yourself in a dark room where none of these odors exist can help relieve the pain and make you more comfortable.
Step 2
Go to bed consistently at the same time. Not getting enough sleep or getting too much is another migraine trigger. Set a sleep schedule and stick to it. The Mayo Clinic suggests getting six to eight hours of sleep every night. Go to bed at the same time and wake at the same time. This programs a set wake-sleep pattern for your body, which can prevent migraines.
Step 3
Visit a chiropractor. During your sessions, the chiropractor relieves the pain from your migraine through spinal adjustment of your joints and soft tissues. You may need more than one session before deciding whether this treatment method is right for you.
Step 4
Use hot water and a cold ice pack. The Health Communities website says that migraines are the result of an excessive dilation of the cerebral blood vessels. To combat the dilation, the site suggests placing your feet in a bucket of hot water while simultaneously placing an ice compress to the back of the neck. This method helps draw blood away from the head, relieving pain during the process. As with any natural treatment method, this is not a replacement for your doctor's advice.
Step 5
Go to an acupuncture specialist. Acupuncture involves the insertion and manipulation of thin needles into specific areas of your body, or pressure points. Just as going to a chiropractor works for some people and not for others, acupuncture is the same. The manipulation of the needles in these pressure points may help relive the pain migraines cause, and more than one session may be necessary. Talk to your doctor before trying this form of alternative medicine.
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