Remedies for Migraines
Remedies for Migraines
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy can be useful for relieving pain, nausea, and increasing relaxation. Remember, aromatherapy oils are meant to be inhaled, not applied directly to the skin unless diluted with oil. Direct application is not recommended for pregnant women, otherwise many migraine sufferers like to apply an oil blend directly to the temples. You can use oils singly or in bends.
Commonly used oils include:
- Lavender
- Peppermint (also good for nausea)
- Chamomile
- Clary sage
- Melissa
- Jasmine
- Rosemary
Acupuncture and Acupressure
Acupuncture is a Chinese technique of treating medical conditions or energy imbalances by inserting needles into acupuncture points which are connected to the body’s meridians (energy pathways.) It is thought that acupuncture can work to block sensations of pain and help release natural pain relieving hormones.
These days acupuncture is covered or partly covered by many insurance plans. This may be a course of treatment you wish to explore.
Acupressure is Chinese technique of applying pressure to certain points on the body for medicinal purposes. Acupressure can be self administered or applied by a professional.
Here is a resource maintained by the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture to help you find a practitioner near you: http://medicalacupuncture.org/findadoc/index.html
Biofeedback
Biofeedback is a non-medical process which is based on the premise that one can affect one’s body’s involuntary functions if one is made aware of them. In order to learn this technique, certain machines can be used which will tell you if you are successfully relaxing muscles or reducing stress. Once the technique is mastered the need for the actual machine is diminished. So, the whole idea of biofeedback is to learn how to relax and reduce tension, not that different from meditation or guided visualization.
The most commonly used biofeedback techniques are:
- EMG (electromyogram) biofeedback –This technique uses an EMG machine which measures electrical activity in one’s muscles (electrical activity can indicate tension or a lack of.) You will then connect electrodes to the skin above muscles you believe to be tense like one’s forehead, jaw, etc. Then once the electrodes are connected you will concentrate on relaxing these muscles. The EMG machine will then indicate by turning on a light for each muscle group that is tense.
- Temperature biofeedback will detect via sensor to one’s hands or feet signs of stress or anxiety. When one is stressed or upset the body will redirect blood to areas of the body. This redirection will cause a decrease in skin temperature. Like the EMG, this machine will indicate via light or sound if skin temperature changes.
- Galvanic skin response – measures the water and salt in your sweat gland ducts. Changes can indicate stress.
Crystal Therapy
Some people believe that stones or crystals emit vibrations which can influence the state of one’s body or mind. The most common method of treatment is to be in physical contact or in close proximity to the stones. You will frequently hear of people wearing amethyst necklaces, resting the stone itself on the area of pain, or placing a large stone near the head of one’s bed.
Crystal’s recommended for headaches and migraines include:
- Amethyst (Most commonly used.)
- Cat’s-eye
- Dioptase
- Magnesite
- Smokey quartz
- Suglite
