ALTERNATIVE

Alternative migraine relief methods do not rely on chemicals, substances, or medications. Instead, they use herbal remedies, natural solutions, and combinations of different therapies to provide effective symptom relief and migraine prevention.

The Migraine Relief Center has specialists who work with patients to create a balanced combination of medication and alternative pain relief. With our help, you can discover which alternative methods are the most beneficial for you as an individual.

Alternative Pain Relief for Migraines

Stress is a known origin of migraine and tension headaches. The Migraine Relief Center can implement stress control techniques such as biofeedback, stress management using medications, and sleep improvement. Relaxation training can go a long way toward natural migraine control. We offer alternative treatments such as:

A healthy diet can reduce stress, combat depression, and improve sleep – three things that influence migraines. We have registered dieticians who can create a food plan specifically geared toward migraine prevention and symptom relief. Good nutrition, exercise, and a sleep schedule may be the key to solving your migraine problem.

Herbs, Homeopathic, and Home Remedies

For hundreds of years, people have used certain herbs and homeopathic remedies to effectively block migraine headaches and reduce the risk of attacks. The Migraine Relief Center believes in these remedies and has seen their success in patients first hand. Our specialists may recommend herbs such as:

Essential and aromatic oils. Scented oils can encourage relaxation, reduce stress, and improve mood. If depression plays a part in your migraines, try citrus scents. If they’re triggered by lack of sleep, try juniper, chamomile, or marjoram oils.
If sinus pressure or sinusitis contributes to head pain, try a belladonna remedy. Belladonna can reduce pressure and congestion in the sinuses. This herb works on the circulatory system and blood vessels, and it can reduce severe pain from sinus headaches.
Iris versicolor (Northern Blue Flag). This flower is proven to help symptoms associated with migraines, such as nausea and dizziness. Paired with pain relievers, iris versicolor can be an effective approach to natural migraine symptom control. Ginger can also help with nausea naturally.

Some people suffer from migraines triggered by scents. If this is the case, essential oils or strong-smelling herbs may not be the right remedy for you. However, almost everyone can comfortably tolerate light scents like coconut, jasmine, and lemongrass. These herbal and natural remedies may be just the things to help with your migraine symptoms.

Supplements for Treating Migraines

Supplements, or vitamins, may be able to help some people conquer migraines. While this approach won’t work for everyone, it’s worth a try in most cases. Since triggers are unique for each person, you need to work with a specialist to come up with the supplement plan that works for you. Supplements we may recommend to migraine sufferers include:

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin). Taking 400 milligrams of vitamin B-2 daily may treat migraines. Riboflavin may cause discolored urine, but it otherwise has no known side effects.
Taking 75 milligrams daily may prevent migraines in some people. Butterbur can cause itchy eyes, diarrhea, upset stomach, fatigue, drowsiness, and allergic reactions in people who are allergic to ragweed and other related herbs.
Taking 400 milligrams per day can help magnesium deficiency – something that may cause migraines. Side effects may include upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Vitamin D. Supplementing your diet with more vitamin D may reduce the frequency of attacks, according to some studies. Most people do not experience side effects when taking regular doses of vitamin D. Taking too much can lead to fatigue, weakness, and nausea.

Supplements are one potential solution to migraine headaches. They can help fill in gaps in your diet, giving your body the nutrients it needs. The right vitamins can reduce the number of migraine attacks you experience and make those you do feel less severe. Supplements can be a great addition to a migraine treatment program.

Massage for Migraine Treatment

The Migraine Relief Center has also seen the effectiveness of massages in some migraine patients. Massage can release endorphins, increase serotonin levels, reduce sleep disturbances, and relieve stress. All of this can result in fewer migraines and symptom relief. The licensed massage therapists at The Migraine Relief Center integrate a variety of massage techniques in treatment plans, including:

The most common form of massage in the West. It is the founding type of massage for all other types. It can either be a slow and gentle experience or vigorous, depending on the client’s individual needs.
Deep tissue. This type of massage therapy uses firm pressure to reach the deeper skin tissues and underlying layers of muscle. It is similar to a Swedish massage, but it uses more pressure to release chronic muscle tension.
Sports massage therapy is specifically for athletes. The therapist can tailor the massage according to the athlete’s sport. Sports massages focus on areas of the body that the sport impacts, with the goal of increasing flexibility and preventing injuries.
Prenatal. Pregnant women have unique needs when it comes to massage therapy. Prenatal massage can reduce stress, relieve pregnancy-related discomforts, and improve overall well-being in mothers.
Massage for the elderly can increase blood flow, combat depression, reduce arthritis pain, and improve joint mobility. Massage, as we get older, is important for all-around health and well-being – physical and emotional.

Signing up for regular massages can bring lasting migraine relief. Paired with relaxation techniques and stress management, massages can eliminate physical and emotional tension. Our center will address your specific needs when prescribing massage for migraines.

Massages may not be the right alternative therapy for those with kidney failure, heart failure, blood clots, contagious skin problems, osteoporosis, or recent surgeries.

Topical Treatments for Migraine Relief

Another type of alternative therapy to consider is topical treatments. Some topical drugs work directly on the nerve endings in the affected area, reaching below the surface of the skin to provide relief from migraine symptoms. Popular topical migraine treatments include:

Topical Regional Neuro-Affective (TRNA) Therapy. This non-systemic drug is a cream that patients apply to the back of the neck, at the hairline. It works directly on free nerve endings to provide rapid and prolonged pain relief. Side effects are minimal since it doesn’t use drugs in systemic or cerebral blood.
Triptans come in patches that you place on your skin. They relieve swelling and constrict blood vessels in the brain. Although it’s not clear how they stop migraines, studies have shown effectiveness in this capacity in many patients. Triptan patches may relieve head pain, decrease sensitivity to light and sound, and decrease nausea.
Topofen (ketoprofen). This promising transdermal gel reduces pain in patients with severe migraines in several studies. It inhibits the cyclooxygenase enzyme and reduces neurogenic inflammation – two things thought to be key factors in migraine development. Patients absorb this topical product quickly, making for effective relief.
This is an ingredient naturally found in hot peppers, such as cayenne. Patients can apply capsaicin in cream form to stimulate and decrease pain signals in the body. This cream may increase pain at first, but then the pain will decrease. Doctors may recommend this topical solution to those who suffer from cluster headaches in particular.
Cefaly device. A FDA-approved device that works as an external trigeminal nerve stimulator (e-TNS). It uses an adhesive electrode, placed on the forehead, and a magnetic connection to the Cefaly. The device sends micro-pulses to the trigeminal nerve, preventing migraine attacks. It may be helpful for those with frequent migraines.

If you aren’t fond of taking medications for your migraines, consider these many alternative treatments. A combination of homeopathic, medication and other remedies may be the solution to your chronic migraine attacks. Work with the knowledgeable specialists at The Migraine Relief Center to discover your ideal treatment program.

We use traditional and alternative methods according to the unique needs of each individual patient. Schedule your initial evaluation today.