Alternative Medicine For Migraine Headaches

alternative medicine for migraine headaches

Chiropractor in Paducah, KY | How to Treat Headaches through Alternative Medicine

As anyone who has ever suffered from them can tell you, headaches are no fun.  They cost the country billions of dollars in lost productivity annually.  For those who suffer from headaches regularly, life can become very challenging.  

In extreme cases, headache sufferers feel like they are going from episode to episode waiting for the next one to come.  Quality of life suffers tremendously and the condition affects not only the sufferer but also their family, friends, and colleagues.

There are a number of commonly used alternative treatments for dealing with headaches.  The success of the treatment depends heavily on active participation by the client.  Alternative treatments usually display a lower ratio of successful headache management but can be a viable option for those seeking to avoid taking pills to solve the problem.

Tension Headache Relief
For tension headaches, there are a few options.  Chiropractic care, massage, acupuncture, and herbs are all used with varying degrees of success.  Supplements such as magnesium, butterbur, and feverfew have some support in the literature, but it is minimal.  If you opt for herbal remedies, make sure to check with your physician so as to avoid negative interactions with other medications you might be taking.

Massage may help with tension headaches because it is designed to reduce tightness in muscles and general tension.  There aren’t too many studies in place yet that provide hard numbers, but the initial data is promising.  Chiropractics have been shown to be effective in treating other problems, but research specific to headaches isn’t conclusive.

Acupuncture and meditation have both been documented as effective for controlling headache pain.  Learning to relax your own muscles eases tensions that lead to headaches.  It is believed that inserting the needles in an acupuncture treatment may lead to the release of the body’s own endorphins which leads to a reduction in pain.

Migraine Headache
Alternative practices for migraine headaches are less conclusive than for tension headaches.  The suggestions that are most common involve management of pain through rubbing of trigger points, ice, chiropractics, and coenzyme Q10.  All the treatments are considered experimental in nature, but may have positive effects in certain individuals.

A More Traditional Approach
Regardless of the source of your headache, your main goal is to get rid of it as soon as possible and keep it from returning.  With that in mind, there are some options that just seem better than others.  Avoid medications that include caffeine as one of the ingredients.  They may cause the headache to receded, but it is likely to come back as the caffeine exits your system.

Consult with your doctor and keep a headache diary to show him/her.  Your doctor may spot patterns that you haven’t seen.  Take medications faithfully, as prescribed, several migraine medications work best when taken before a headache starts to get bad.  Join a gym or biofeedback class to help keep stress levels under control.

Regardless of which avenue you choose, getting your headaches under control can make a tremendous difference in your day to day existence.

About the Author

Do you suffer from chronic low back pain, headaches, spinal surgery, or want to lose weight? The Incorporation of Progressive Rehabilitation with latest in chiropractic care will help. Use of non-surgical spinal decompression, nutritional counseling, weight loss with the Triple Pledge Satisfaction.
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FATIGUE: I would recommend Spirulina or Ultra Blue Green Algae. Ultra Blue Green Algae contains Spirulina. Spirulina may be more expensive. I get the Ultra Blue Green Algae from Walmart. It did not give me a BOOST of energy, but that is not always a good thing in itself. This just makes me feel better and I end up being able to do more.
ALSO
ALFALFA – With all of the vitamins and minerals, it is bound to make you healthier. I use it throughout pregnancy for iron and energy. (Walmart has a 300 count bottle for under $4)
Excerpts from The How to Herb Book
The name alfalfa means “Father of all Foods.” It has been called the King of plants because it is extremely rich in vitamins and minerals including IRON, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, sodium, potassium, silicon, and trace elements.

A good source of carotene (Vitamin A) and a little known vitamin –Vitamin K, the blood clotting vitamin which has been known to help peptic ulcers.
Has eight of the essential amino acids and the highest chlorophyll content of any plant.
Prevents tooth decay and helps rebuild decayed teeth, contains natural fluorides.

GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER: I recommend
***VALERIAN ROOT
The following information came from The How to Herb Book
“Valerian root is a powerful, effective antispasmodic. It quiets, calms, and has a healing effect on the nervous system. Valerian root is a marvelous weapon against stress and nerves.
*Promotes sleep if taken at night. Has no narcotic effect.
*Relieves pain.
*Good to normalize heart palpitations, slows action of heart while strengthening it. Good for circulatory system.
*Stimulates secretion and peristaltic action of stomach and intestines.
*Anti-flatulent (gas) for adults and infants.
*Used for children with measles and scarlet fever for restlessness and pain.”

The following information came from this website

http://www.bulkherbstore.com/vrc…

“Traditionally valerian has been used medicinally to treat nervous disorders, hypochondria, migraines, insomnia, depression, cramps, croup, colic, flatulence, whooping cough, typhoid, fever, epilepsy, vertigo, convulsions, diabetes, cholera, sores, heart palpitations, stomach ulcers, vaginal yeast infections, premenstrual syndrome, bed-wetting and sleep disorders.

Hundreds of experiments have been conducted on valerian primarily in Germany and Russia. These studies have substantiated the herb’s effectiveness in the treatment of nervous, circulatory, digestive and sleep disorders. Valerian root targets the higher brain centers, suppressing and regulating the autonomic nervous system. Consequently, valerian is very effective in dispelling psychosomatic diseases which result from a glitch in the regulation of the autonomic nervous system. Valerian pacifies the fear of hypochondriacs, soothes the nervous and calms the hysterical.”

VALERIAN is a natural product that should not cause side effects.
I have a friend who reported after his first night of taking Valerian that he had weird dreams and felt “loopy” the next morning. But he reported two weeks later that he was still taking the Valerian and was sleeping like a baby. Whether or not the Valerian caused his “episode” we do not know. But we do know that he is a happy camper now that it is in his system.

*You can buy Valerian Root Capsules at Walmart and other pharmacies.

HEADACHE
*Eliminate sugar, chocolate, refined foods.
*Thyme and Fenugreek combination.
*Eat a slice of cinnamon toast (generous on the cinnamon)
*Rub some pure essential peppermint oil on the temple in the area of the pain.
(You can get this peppermint oil at various health stores and online. It might cost $5 per 1/2 ounce, but a little dab will do ya. A good source is Choice 2: http://www.mountainroseherbs.com )

The How to Herb Book says:
Headaches are caused by many reasons; Hypoglycemia, congested colon, stress, spinal maladjustment, illness, mineral or vitamin deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, etc. Many times when you treat a headache you are treating the symptom and not the cause. Try to find out what is causing the headache and then remove the cause.

*Some people have found that taking B Vitamins daily prevents them from getting headaches.
*Chiropractice care has worked wonders for Migraine and other headaches. (Ask for an adjustment.)

Do your own research on these herbs and natural remedies to find out how/why they will help you. I hope you find relief.

I really recommend the book that I quoted. I use it to find remedies for all of our ailments. It is packed with information to help you treat many kinds of problems. It was my first herb book and I refer to it almost daily.

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Filed under: Alternative Medicine

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