What to do for Migraines

I have a relative who is currently struggling with migraine headaches, so I have been reviewing medical as well as alternative medicine suggestions for a solution and thought I'd pass along some of my research for you.

A migraine isn't just a bad headache. Some people also get nauseous and sensitive to light and sound. It is thought that a migraine occurs when swollen blood vessels in the brain press on nearby nerves, causing pain. But it's not clear what causes this to happen and how to stop it from happening.

Some of the traditional methods of treating migraines include: Acupressure, Acupuncture, Alexander Technique, Biofeedback, Chiropractic, Feldenkrais Method, Hydrotherapy, Hypnosis, Massage Therapy, Neuro Linguistic Programming, Rolfing, and Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation.

The alternative methods of treating migraines include: Exercise, Relaxation Techniques, taking Magnesium, taking Feverfew, and drinking coffee.

No one has a cure-all medicine or technique for all headaches, and talking to a medical professional and having a traditional option might be the best solution for you. Personally I want to know what is out there and investigate options before I choose an invasive technique. You do
whatever you feel is the correct answer for you.

Acupressure is an ancient healing art using the fingers to gradually press key healing points, which stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. Acupressure was developed in Asia over 5,000 years ago. Check out this website for more information on this technique: http://acupressure.com/

Traditional Chinese medicine explains acupuncture as a technique for balancing the flow of energy or life force — known as qi or chi (CHEE) — believed to flow through pathways (meridians) in your body. By inserting needles into specific points long these meridians, acupuncture practitioners believe that your energy flow will re-balance your system. Check out my hub on this healing treatment: http://galadriel-arwen.hubpages.com/hub/Acupuncture-an-Ancient-Chinese-Treatment:

The Alexander Technique is a method that works to change (movement) habits in our everyday activities. It is a simple and practical method for improving ease and freedom of movement, balance, support and coordination. Check out: http://www.alexandertechnique.com/at.htm for more information

Biofeedback is a treatment technique in which people are trained to improve their health by using signals from their own bodies. Physical therapists use biofeedback to help stroke victims regain movement in paralyzed muscles. Psychologists use it to help tense and anxious clients learn to relax. Specialists in many different fields use biofeedback to help their patients cope with pain. For more information: http://psychotherapy.com/bio.html

Many people don't realize that headaches can arise from spinal misalignment.; be a symptom of chronic neck and back pain. Chiropractors offer a way of treating migraines with holistic methods. They do not use drugs to treat these painful headaches. Watch the video and Check out: http://www.relieve-migraine-headache.com/headache-chiropractor.html for more information on how Chiropractic Technique can help

The Feldenkrais Method is for anyone who wants to reconnect with their natural abilities to move, think and feel. Whether you want to be more comfortable sitting at your computer, playing with your children and grandchildren, or performing a favorite pastime, these gentle lessons can improve your overall well being and relieve headaches. You can get more information on this method of treatment by going to this website: http://www.feldenkrais.com/method/the_feldenkrais_method_of_somatic_education/

Father Sebastian Kneipp, a 19th century Bavarian monk, is said to be the father of hydrotherapy. Kneipp believed that disease could be cured by using water to eliminate waste from the body. I have heard that when Liberace died he had massive amounts of waste inside that could have been an issue with his health. I also have a friend that had five pounds of waste removed via surgery. She had the weight of that waste inside leaning on her legs, bowels and kidneys and was not able to get rid of it. I toured the salt bath in England from the Roman Era. They made it a point of taking the "healthy baths." Perhaps they were on to something... Want to learn more about hydrotherapy? http://kneippus.com/sebastian-kneipp.html

No, this isn't a side show act...Contemporary techniques in hypnosis include Relaxation Response, meditation, acupuncture, bio-feedback, “faith healing,” EST, visualization methods, and suggestion are sometimes associated with hypnosis therapy. Although many people still think of hypnosis as a way other people invade their mind and have them do things they shouldn't, modern times have made hypnosis more palatable than former years. Check out information from the Mayo Clinic on Hypnosis - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypnosis/MY01020

The touch of another has healing effects, thus massage Therapy is on this list. There are many types of massage. Check out my hu: http://galadriel-arwen.hubpages.com/hub/Reiki-a-Divine-Touch

Studies from the Touch Research Institute indicate that people who receive regular massage have reduced migraine symptoms, increased sleep quality, increased serotonin levels and fewer migraines http://www.livestrong.com/article/271399-massage-for-migraine-relief/

Neurolinguistic programming has been used to change the limiting beliefs of patients about
their prospects of recovery from a wide variety of medical conditions including migraines. Check out this website for more information: http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Neurolinguistic+Programming

Rolfing Structural Integration works on this web-like complex of connective tissues to release, realign and balance the whole body, thus potentially resolving discomfort, reducing compensations and alleviating pain.

Watch the video and check out the website if you are interested in this method. http://www.rolf.org/about

This one gave rise in my mind to the image of electric shock therapy they used to practice at the mental institutions but today, therapists use gentle electric impulses that act on the nerve cells that are responsible for the pain and various other sensations, most associated with migraines and headaches. Check out the website for more information on this technique: http://wwwmigraines.com/cefaly-for-migraine-headache-treatment.html

So what do the Naturalists and Alternative Medicine experts say we can do first before we get involved with any of the above mentioned therapy and invasive techniques?

Most suggest we review our lifestyle basics:

Are we sleeping enough?

Do we have adequate nutrition?

Are we overworked?

Do we feel tired and stressed?

Scientists predict that half of our headaches are caused by tension first including migraines. The answer may be in reducing our tension. The ten tension centers in our body that flare up due to stress are usually found in our back, shoulders, neck, face and head. Reducing tension in the body may require a major lifestyle change in some and these lifestyle changes may result in being more happy and healthy. Here are some helpful suggestions to get rid of headaches naturally:

1. Exercise - Moving the body increases circulation, increases oxygen in the bloodstream, improves hormone balance, and has been found to reduce anxiety and stress by releasing endorphins. The idea is that "happy people" do not have headaches.

2. Relax - Laugh more often, get a massage, take bubble baths, practice breathing exercises, learn how to meditate, drink herbal tea [chamomile, passion flower, etc], basically, just do pleasurable activities; even if this is just sitting near a pond and watching the birds.

3. Take Magnesium - Studies have noted that by taking 400mg of magnesium daily, plus once when you feel a migraine coming on it will reduce the amt of migraines one has. There was a Migraine study done in Germany on this miracle supplement.

4. Take Feverfew - A safe yet effective herb has been found to relieve both tension and migraine headaches. It can be taken in capsule or tincture form; but capsules are easier to ingest.

5. Drink coffee - 1-2 cups a day reduce headaches and assist with breathing issues by constricting blood vessels in your head. Coffee is also stimulating and can cause withdrawals when stopping.

Remember that no one has a cure-all medicine or technique for all headaches including migraines. Migraines are not just a bad headache and may require medical intervention immediately! And if that is your situation, talking to a medical professional and using a traditional option might be the best solution for you.

Personally, before heading to the medical professional, I want to take stock of the situation. Evaluate, learn what options are out there, and investigate my options. You need to do
whatever you feel is the correct answer for you.