Migraines--pounding headaches often benchmarked by light sensitivity, nausea and vomiting--can be debilitating to those who suffer from them. And while prescription medications are available, many have unpleasant side effects. Consequently, many people who regularly experience migraine headaches consider seeking alternative treatments.
Acupuncture
Acupuncturists believe migraines occur when the body's flow becomes imbalanced; acupuncture therefore is used to reestablish equilibrium. To do this, the location of the headache needs to be established so the proper acupuncture points can be targeted. Pain in the occiput and nape of the neck points to problems in the bladder meridian, while temple-centered pain indicates issues in the gallbladder meridian. When pain occurs at the top of the head, the liver meridian is considered responsible, while forehead and above-eye pain points to the stomach meridian.
Supplements
Herbal medicines may provide relief from migraine headaches. Suzanne Lawton, MD, adjunct professor at Portland's National College of Natural Medicine, recommends trying passionflower when headaches are triggered by stress. Those who experience light sensitivity should consider using butterbur. Migraine.org also recommends taking feverfew, which reduces the release of serotonin, inhibits the aggregation of platelets and improves symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Other herbal medicines and supplements that may help include ginkgo biloba (which increases blood circulation) as well as ginger and kava.
Diet
J. Gordon Millichap, MD, FRCP, Chicago-based pediatric neurologist at Children's Memorial Hospital, Northwestern University Medical Center, suggests that while migraine headaches can be stress-related, they are often a diet-specific neurological disorder. Numerous foods are known to trigger migraine headaches, including monosodium glutamate, fried and fatty foods, meat and vegetable extracts and canned figs, tomatoes and broad beans. Food triggers vary from one migraine sufferer to the next. However, once offending foods are established, eliminating them from the diet can reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches.
Exercise
Exercising has been linked to causing migraine headaches. However, a study published in the March 2009 issue of "Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain" suggests that indoor cycling improves oxygen intake without worsening migraines. The study also showed participants experienced a decrease in the number of migraine attacks as well as reduced intensity of headaches when they occurred.
